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Aim <p>To assess informal caregivers’ physical activity in different domains in Germany.</p> Subject and methods <p>A sample of 20,216 adults was analysed using data from the representative survey German Health Update (GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS). Bivariate and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses were performed to compare different types of physical activity (walking, cycling, leisure-time activity, strength training, sitting) of informal caregivers and non-caregivers, taking caregiving intensity into account (&lt; 10 h per week vs. ≥ 10 h per week).</p> Results <p>Overall, caregiving was correlated to favourable physical activity behaviour when considering various covariates. Caregivers were more likely to walk at least 60 min per week compared to non-caregivers by 4.0 percentage points (average marginal effect [AME] = 0.040; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.026–0.053). Being sedentary for at least 8&#xa0;h per day was less likely among caregivers by 4.2 percentage points (AME = −0.042; 95% CI = −0.054 to −0.030). However, when caregivers were analysed separately by caregiving intensity, only those with less than 10 h of caregiving per week showed higher probabilities for cycling, strengthening exercises, and other leisure-time physical activity compared to non-caregivers. High-intensity caregivers (≥ 10 h per week) did not differ from non-caregivers in these activities.</p> Conclusion <p>The findings demonstrate that the intensity of caregiving is an important factor when assessing the physical activity behaviours of informal caregivers. Caregivers with a particularly high level of intensity are at greater risk of insufficient physical activity, making them a specific target group for intervention programmes.</p>

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Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of informal caregivers in Germany: a nationwide cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月4日

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  • Fabio Franzese,
  • Lorena Wetzel,
  • Johanna Schütz,
  • Kristin Manz

摘要

Aim

To assess informal caregivers’ physical activity in different domains in Germany.

Subject and methods

A sample of 20,216 adults was analysed using data from the representative survey German Health Update (GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS). Bivariate and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses were performed to compare different types of physical activity (walking, cycling, leisure-time activity, strength training, sitting) of informal caregivers and non-caregivers, taking caregiving intensity into account (< 10 h per week vs. ≥ 10 h per week).

Results

Overall, caregiving was correlated to favourable physical activity behaviour when considering various covariates. Caregivers were more likely to walk at least 60 min per week compared to non-caregivers by 4.0 percentage points (average marginal effect [AME] = 0.040; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.026–0.053). Being sedentary for at least 8 h per day was less likely among caregivers by 4.2 percentage points (AME = −0.042; 95% CI = −0.054 to −0.030). However, when caregivers were analysed separately by caregiving intensity, only those with less than 10 h of caregiving per week showed higher probabilities for cycling, strengthening exercises, and other leisure-time physical activity compared to non-caregivers. High-intensity caregivers (≥ 10 h per week) did not differ from non-caregivers in these activities.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrate that the intensity of caregiving is an important factor when assessing the physical activity behaviours of informal caregivers. Caregivers with a particularly high level of intensity are at greater risk of insufficient physical activity, making them a specific target group for intervention programmes.