Abstract
BackgroundReducing physical inactivity among the population is a challenge for many nations. Targeting leisure time physical activity (LTPA) may be useful in increasing overall physical activity as it is assumed it is associated with a higher degree of free choice and personal preference than physical activity at work and during travel. The study explored the prevalence of physical inactivity and focused on the overall level of energy expenditure and energy level spent during leisure time among those who were physically inactive and assessed the stages of change for LTPA among those who were physically inactive.MethodsA population-based survey was conducted in 2014 in Chiang Mai, Thailand using a stratified two-stage cluster sampling technique. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to collect the data on physical activity. Sufficient levels of physical activity (PA) were defined as ≥150 min/week of moderate-intensity PA or ≥75 min/week of vigorous-intensity PA or ≥600 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-minutes/week. Weighted analyses were used to estimate the prevalence of physical inactivity, the total energy expenditure and expenditure during LTPA as well as stages of change among the physically inactive population.ResultsA total of 1744 people (808 men and 936 women), aged 15 to 64 years, participated in the study. We estimated that a quarter (26%) of the population were physically inactive. Physical inactivity was more commonly found among women than men in most age groups. LTPA contributed a small proportion of overall PA. On average, physically inactive men spent 132.8 MET-minutes/week and inactive women spent 208.2 MET-minutes/week in overall PA which is well below the 600 MET-minutes/week recommend by the World Health Organization. Around 75% of physically inactive people had no intention of engaging in regular LTPA.ConclusionAbout a quarter of the investigative population were physically inactive. Most physically inactive members of the population participate in low levels of LTPA, but the majority has no intention of increasing PA during leisure time. A large-scale health promotion program is needed, and it should focus on an approach for the pre-contemplated population.
Highlights
Reducing physical inactivity among the population is a challenge for many nations
We aimed to explore the prevalence of physical inactivity and the contribution of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) to the overall level of physical activity (PA) across different age groups
Study participants A total of 1744 participants engaged in the study
Summary
Targeting leisure time physical activity (LTPA) may be useful in increasing overall physical activity as it is assumed it is associated with a higher degree of free choice and personal preference than physical activity at work and during travel. Physical inactivity or insufficient physical activity (PA) is defined as less than 150 min/week of moderate-intensity PA accumulated across work, home, transport and leisure time activities [1]. It contributes to a global increase in health risks. Physical inactivity is a risk factor for many major non-communicable diseases (NCDs), for instance, coronary heart disease; type 2 diabetes mellitus; breast cancer; and colon cancer and is associated with increasing all-cause mortality [4]. In 2010, the WHO provided the Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health to promote PA among children, adults, and older adults [7]
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