Level of Physical Activity in Population Aged 16 to 65 Years in Rural Kerala, India

Physical Activity Levels, Motivators and Barriers to Exercise among Men and Women Aged 30 to 50 Years in Rourkela, India

Background

Literature suggests that middle age is a period with increasing sedentary behavior and health risks.

Objective

We conducted the present study to assess physical activity levels of the adults aged 30-50 years and understand the motivators and barriers to regular physical activity.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adults aged 30-50 years residing in Rourkela, Odisha. The physical activity levels of the adults were assessed using Bouchard's Physical Activity Record. Height, weight, and waist circumference of the participants were measured using standard procedures. A self-administered questionnaire was prepared to identify the motivators and barriers to physical activity/exercise behavior.

Results

Nearly half of the participants were obese, 23.3% were overweight and 28% had a normal body mass index. Based on WC and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), 84% and 79.3% of the participants had metabolic risk, respectively. Over half of the participants were physically inactive. Predominantly, low-intensity activities (yoga, slow walking) were performed as it was assumed to be sufficient. The main motivators of physical activity/exercise behavior were health scare, health benefits, weight loss, availability of resources at convenient time, and better looks. The chief barriers for exercise behavior were lack of motivation, weather, safety concerns, and lack of time.

Conclusion

Despite over two-third of participants being overweight/obese, 90% of the physically active participants failed to meet the World Health Organization recommendations. Government, community, and individual participation are imperative to formulate interventions strategies to reduce the barriers to physical activity.

Prevalence and Correlates of Insufficient Physical Activity Among Adults Aged 18-69 Years in India: Findings From the National Noncommunicable Disease Monitoring Survey

BACKGROUND

Sufficient physical activity (PA) significantly contributes to the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. This study aims to determine the prevalence of insufficient PA and associated sociodemographic and lifestyle factors among adults aged 18-69 years in India.

METHODS

A national population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted during 2017-2018 among 12,000 adults that adapted globally standard data collection tools. The data were weighted and analyzed using complex samples analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with insufficient PA.

RESULTS

Age standardized prevalence of insufficient PA among adults in India was 41.4%. A higher proportion of women (52.4%) and urban adults (51.7%) were not doing sufficient PA. Men (118.8 min) spent more time in PA per day than women (55.3 min). Higher odds of insufficient PA were significantly associated with unemployment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 6.45), highest wealth quintile (aOR = 1.86), presence of central obesity (aOR = 1.24), and raised blood pressure (aOR = 1.22).

CONCLUSION

This study provides the baseline prevalence of insufficient PA to monitor the set PA targets for India by 2025. The identified associated factors can guide policy makers to plan tailored interventions targeting high-risk groups and a multisectoral approach to promote PA.

Prevalence and Predictors of Physical Inactivity among Adults - A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Physical inactivity is detrimental to health. It is a risk factor for noncommunicable diseases.

Aim and Objective

The aim of this study was to find the prevalence and predictors of physical inactivity among adults.

Methodology

A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted among 374 adults aged 20-50 years. Trained field investigators administered the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Epi Info software for Windows. Logistic regression model was used to study the factors associated with physical inactivity.

Results

The prevalence of physical inactivity among the study participants was 52.1%. Females (OR=1.9[1.2-3.1]), literate individuals (OR = 1.8 [1.04-3.2]), and current tobacco users (OR = 2.2 [1.8-4.1]) were significantly more physically inactive; as compared to their counterparts.

Conclusions

Nearly half of the study participants were physically inactive, according to the World Health Organization guidelines. This highlights the need for strengthening the existing interventions for promoting physical activity among adults.

Prevalence and associated factors of insufficient physical activity among elderly people in Bangladesh: a nationally representative cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Insufficient physical activity (IPA) is a crucial risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The elderly population has a higher likelihood of suffering from NCDs. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with IPA among the elderly people in Bangladesh.

METHODS

We analysed data from the Bangladesh Food Security and Nutrition Surveillance round 2018-2019, collected from 82 rural, non-slum urban and slum clusters selected using multistage cluster sampling. IPA was defined as <150 min of moderate intensity or <75 min of vigorous intensity or equivalent in a typical week. The weighted prevalence of IPA was estimated by gender and across different variables. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated using Poisson regression with robust variance.

RESULTS

The weighted prevalence of IPA among elderly people was 38.4%, with a slightly higher prevalence in women (39.7% vs 37.3%). Factors associated with higher prevalence of IPA in both sexes were-higher age, living in non-slum urban areas, unemployed or homemaker, not currently married, sedentary behaviour and self-reported hypertension. Further, >10 years of education, inadequate fruits and vegetable consumption, self-reported asthma and higher waist circumference among men; and higher household income and self-reported diabetes among women were associated with a higher prevalence of IPA.

CONCLUSIONS

IPA is highly prevalent among Bangladeshi elderly men and women. Sedentary behaviour, inadequate fruits and vegetable consumption and higher waist circumference were the modifiable factors of IPA. Evidence from this study can guide the development of appropriate interventions to promote healthy ageing in Bangladesh.

Physical activity levels and related sociodemographic factors among Iranian adults: Results from a population-based national STEPS survey

Background: Physical inactivity (PA) is one of the leading modifiable risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. This study aimed to determine PA levels and related sociodemographic factors as risk factors for NCDs among Iranian adults.

Methods: In this cross sectional study, data were collected from the sixth nationwide STEPS survey in 31 provinces of Iran. A total of 6100 individuals aged 18-64 years were selected by a multistage cluster sampling method, and their PA levels were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive methods and analytical tests, including chi-square, ANOVA, and independent t tests in SPSS version 21 software.

Results: The prevalence of vigorous, moderate, and low levels of PA was 36.3% (95%CI:35.1-37.5), 29.2% (95%CI:28-30.3), and 34.5% (95%CI:33.3-35.7) in participants, respectively. The mean ± SD of total MET-min/week was 1842.3±2619.3. Total mean ± SD duration of PA was 98.2 ± 115 min/week (125.8±142.6 and 77.2±84.5 min/week in men and women, respectively). Transport-related PA and severe PA at work had large and small contributions to overall PA, respectively. Urbanization, sex, age, family size, and occupation status were identified as factors associated with PA levels (p<0.001).

Conclusion: This study revealed a significant prevalence of low PA among the target population and some sociodemographic characteristics identified as factors associated with PA. Identification of these factors can develop more effective interventions to promote PA.

Competing Risks of Cancer and Non-Cancer Mortality When Accompanied by Lifestyle-Related Factors-A Prospective Cohort Study in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Background

The study aimed to identify the association between the lifestyle-related factors and the cancer-specific, or non-cancer-specific mortality, when accompanied by a competing risk. Two statistical methods were applied, i.e., cause-specific hazard (CSH), and sub-distribution hazard ratio (SHR). Their respective key advantages, relative to the actual study design, were addressed, as was overall application potential.

Methods

Source data from 4,584 residents (34.2% men), aged 45–64 years, were processed using two different families of regression models, i.e., CSH and SHR; principal focus upon the impact of lifestyle-related factors on the competing risk of cancer and non-cancer mortality. The results were presented as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results

Age, smoking status, and family history of cancer were found the leading risk factors for cancer death; the risk of non-cancer death higher in the elderly, and smoking individuals. Non-cancer mortality was strongly associated with obesity and hypertension. Moderate to vigorous physical activity decreased the risk of death caused by cancer and non-cancer causes.

Conclusions

Specific, lifestyle-related factors, instrumental in increasing overall, and cancer-specific mortality, are modifiable through health-promoting, individually pursued physical activities. Regular monitoring of such health-awareness boosting pursuits seems viable in terms of public health policy making.

Physical Activity During Pregnancy and Postpartum Low Back Pain: A Prospective Cohort Study in Vietnam

Low back pain (LBP) is a universal public health problem for all age groups, related to the upright stance of humans. Postpartum LBP is more common and can lead to limitations to women's daily activity. Knowledge about preventing postpartum LBP is limited, and the relationship between prenatal physical activity (PA) and LBP remains inconclusive. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 1807 singleton pregnant Vietnamese women to investigate the association between prenatal PA and postpartum LBP using logistic regression analyses. The prevalence of postpartum LBP was 12.3% (n = 222). Women reporting LBP spent more hours sitting per week. Relative to the lowest level of total PA, the highest level was associated with reduced odds of postpartum LBP (odds ratio = 0.55; 95% confidence interval = 0.38-0.80). Inverse associations with LBP were also observed for light intensity, moderate-to-vigorous intensity, household/caregiving, occupational, and transportation activities. Overall, prenatal PA was inversely associated with postpartum LBP in Vietnamese women.

Intergenerational Differences in the Physical Activity Pattern: A Familial Study From Rural Haryana, India

This study was aimed to investigate the patterns and possible differences in the levels of Physical Activity (PA) among members of different generations in a North Indian State. A cross-sectional survey investigated intergenerational PA level up to third generations of Jat males and females ( N = 329; 42 families). PA was quantified using the validated Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Significant differences were observed with respect to the various domains of the PA among generations. Females of the second generation were more active than males, whereas females of the third generation were less active and their activities are confined to household chores only. No such sex-wise differences were observed among first generation. Only 20% of the individuals were performing recreational activities, and almost negligible in the first and second generation. Study supports the need for increasing awareness regarding health benefits of PA especially in terms of recreational activities.

Changes in the configuration and patterns of physical activity among Mongolian adults, 2005-2013

Objective: This study examined the change in physical activity status and patterns and their associations with urban and rural residence and employment status in Mongolia.

Methods: We analyzed data from 7,738 adults aged from 20 to 64 years (n = 2,877 and 4,861 for 2005 and 2013, respectively) from the Mongolian STEPS Survey on the Prevalence of Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors (NCD-STEPS survey). Physical activity in three domains, including work (occupational and household work); transport (walk or cycling); and leisure (sport or fitness) was measured by Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Physical activity levels were classified into three groups: low, moderate, and high according to the GPAQ analysis framework. The associations between physical activity time, residential area, and employment status were examined using a multivariate negative binomial regression model.

Results: The percentage of respondents with low-level physical activity increased from 10.9% in 2005 to 27.2% in 2013. The median minutes of physical activity time per week were 1,020 in 2005 and 600 in 2013. Physical activity time at work, transport and overall decreased in 2013. Work-related physical activity was the most dominant component of physical activity time (55.6% in 2005 and 54.6% in 2013), the transport domain was the second-highest contributor of physical activity time in 2005 (24.0%) and was replaced by the leisure domain (26.8%) in 2013. Rural residents practiced more physical activity at work, transport, and leisure than urban residents did in 2005 (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20–1.47; PR: 1.21, 95%CI: 1.14–1.29; and PR: 1.21, 95%CI: 1.13–1.30, respectively), but there was no significant difference by residential area in 2013. Mongolian adults with higher educational attainment, employee status, and non-employment status were less likely to engage in physical activity compared to those among adults with lower educational attainment and self-employed status.

Prostate Cancer Risk Reduced by Physical Activity Even Among Men With Prolonged Sitting Time: A Study From Vietnam

Increasing prostate cancer incidence in the Asia-Pacific region may be related to a more sedentary lifestyle resulted from economic growth and rapid urbanization. The present case-control study of 640 men aged 64 to 75 years was conducted in Vietnam between 2013 and 2015 to ascertain the relationship between physical activity and prostate cancer risk, accounting for the duration of sitting time. Reduced prostate cancer risks were found for men engaging in medium (15.8-47.3 metabolic equivalent task [MET]-h/week) and high (>47.3 MET-h/week) physical activity levels, with the adjusted odds ratios being 0.52 (95% confidence interval = 0.35-0.77) and 0.27 (95% confidence interval = 0.14-0.49), respectively. This association was independent of sitting time. Analyses of joint association of physical activity and sitting time also found a reduction in the cancer risk for higher energy expenditure levels. Similar results were evident for both low-medium and high grade tumors. The findings are important for developing health strategies to prevent prostate cancer in Asian countries.

Dietary calcium intake and physical activity levels among people living in Karnataka, India - An observational hospital-based study

Background:

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in our body with varied functions, and its dietary deficiency leads to osteoporosis. Various studies have shown that adequate dietary calcium intake (DCI) and moderately increased physical activity if maintained for long term prevent osteoporosis. The data regarding DCI of people living in Karnataka, south India, are limited. Thus, we aimed to assess DCI, physical activity, and their predictors among people living in Karnataka.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was done among 250 inpatients and normal relatives of orthopedics department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Multistage random sampling was performed. DCI and physical activity were measured using validated questionnaires.

Results:

The mean (standard deviation) DCI was 499.94 (251.5). The prevalence [95 confidence interval (CI)] of poor intakers of DCI [DCI < Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)] was 76.6% (70.9, 81.7). However, only 43.52% of all participants with poor DCI were on supplements. Male gender [2.189 (1.125, 4.257)], elderly [1.988 (1.067, 3.705)], and low knowledge score [1.240 (1.093, 1.407)] were significant predictors of low DCI. The proportion (95 CI) of patients who were categorized as having low physical activity (LPA) was 44.0% (37.8, 50.4). The predictors for LPA [adjusted odds ratio (95 CI)] were marital status, being single [1.853 (1.047, 3.282)], and low socioeconomic status class [1.209 (1.002, 1.458)].

Conclusion:

DCI was below the RDA for three-fourths of our patients with nearly half of them being physically inactive, indicating the need for better education regarding DCI and improving physical activity, all of which can prevent osteoporosis.

Factors Associated with Physical Inactivity among Adult Urban Population of Puducherry, India: A Population Based Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Increase in physical activity decreases the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and improves psychological wellbeing.

AIM

To study the level of physical inactivity among the adult population in an urban area of Puducherry in India and its associated risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 569 adult participants from an urban area of Pondicherry. The level of physical inactivity was measured by using WHO standard Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ).

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of physical inactivity in our study was 49.7% (CI: 45.6-53.8). Among the physically active people, contribution of physical activity by work was 77.4%, leisure time activities were 11.6% and transport time was 11%. Both men and women were equally inactive {Physically inactive among women was 50% (CI:44.1-55.9)} and {Physically inactive among men was 49.5% (CI:43.8-55.2)}. Prevalence of physical inactivity was increasing with increasing age. Non tobacco users were two times more active than tobacco users {Adjusted Odds Ratio: 2.183 (1.175- 4.057)}. Employed were more active as compared to retired {Adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.412 (0.171-0.991)}, students {Adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.456 (0.196-1.060)}, house wives {Adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.757 (0.509-1.127)} and unemployed {Adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.538 (0.271-1.068)}. Non alcoholics were only 0.34 times as active as alcoholics.

CONCLUSION

Level of physical activity was found to be insufficient among adult urban population of Puducherry. Working adult population found to be active, that too due to their work pattern. There is a need to promote leisure time and travelling time physical activity.

Prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia among adults aged over 30 years in a rural area of north Kerala, India: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in India. In order to reduce the burden of the disease, it is important to know the level of modifiable risk factors in the population. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and associated factors among the population aged over 30 years in a rural area in north Kerala, India.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out to find the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia among 533 residents of Kulappuram village. The fasting blood glucose level, total serum cholesterol level, blood pressure and body mass index of the residents were also assessed. The significance of association of hypercholesterolaemia with age, sex, body mass index and blood pressure was tested using the chi-squared test. Logistic regression was carried out to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (OR).

RESULTS

The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia was 63.8%. It was more prevalent in women (adjusted OR: 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.27), in those with body mass index in the range 23.0-24.9 kg/m2 (adjusted OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.04-3.02) and in those with blood pressure >140/90 mmHg (adjusted OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.1-2.38).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia is high in the study population.