IJCM_122A: Factors affecting physical inactivity among youth

Abstract

Background: Non-communicable diseases pose significant public health problem, and prevention efforts are mainly aimed at addressing their risk factors. Unhealthy lifestyle including physical inactivity gets initiated early in life. Hence identifying the factors associated with physical inactivity among youth is essential for developing targeted interventions. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with physical inactivity among youth in Kolar district, Karnataka. Methodology: The present study is a secondary data analysis of a cross- sectional study undertaken in the Kolar district of Karnataka. Information on various risk factors was collected as part of the Kolar Youth Health Survey. Physical inactivity is defined as any those achieving less than 600 MET minutes of physical activity in the previous week and was assessed using WHO tool GPAQ. Univariate and multivariate logistics regression analysis was undertaken to identify the factors associated with physical inactivity. Results: In Kolar, 82.7% of youth had less than recommended level of physical activity (<600 MET minutes per week). Residing in urban area, being female increased the risk of physical inactivity. Individuals involved in occupations like cultivators, agricultural labourer’s and skilled workers had lower risk of physical inactivity. Students too had lower risk. Youth engaged in community volunteering activities had lower risk of physical inactivity. Some of the risk factors or risk conditions like smokeless tobacco use, gambling, anxiety, history of road traffic injury and unintentional injury lowered the risk of physical inactivity. Conclusion: The prevalence of physical inactivity is high among youth in the Kolar district. Some of the sociodemographic factors pertaining to youth increases the risk of physical inactivity and these information needs to be utilized for implementing targeted interventions. However, the association between smokeless tobacco use, gambling, anxiety and injury with physical inactivity needs further exploration.