Physical activity and health-related lifestyle in the Spanish population living with musculoskeletal disease

Background: physical activity is a health-related behavior that is associated with increased well-being in people living with musculoskeletal disease. Objective: we assessed the association of different health and lifestyle factors with physical activity in the Spanish population living with musculoskeletal disease. Method: we used data from the 2014 European Health Survey for Spain. The population was classified according to their musculoskeletal disease (including osteoarthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, or several of these diseases) diagnostic status. The survey collected data on habitual physical activity and other health-related behaviors (diet, alcohol and tobacco consumption, among others) and other health indicators (self-perceived health status, perceived pain, mental health, physical limitations, among others). We used multivariate logistic regression models to analyze the relationship between the different variables studied in the population living with musculoskeletal disease. Results: physical activity is associated with daily fruit and vegetable intake, regardless of age and sex, and with daily fish consumption in women aged 45 years and older. Tobacco smoking is higher in inactive women and men, while weekly consumption of alcohol is associated with more physical activity (except in women aged 15-44 years). Conclusions: physical activity is a behavior associated with a better health status and healthier lifestyle in the Spanish population living with musculoskeletal disease.