Is the leisure-time physical activity of Asian Indian Guadeloupean adolescents different from that of their island counterparts?

Abstract

Objective. To compare the levels of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) of Guadeloupeans originating and not originating from India. Design. Two hundred and sixty of 10–18-year-old Guadeloupeans originating from India (Asian Indians) matched on sex and age with 520 Guadeloupeans not originating from India (Controls) participated in the present study. The participants completed the modifiable activity questionnaire over a seven-day period. We studied the association between ethnicity and the weekly LTPA metabolic equivalent (in MET-Hr), the daily duration of LTPA (in Hr), the mean and the maximal MET of the reported LTPA items, the pattern of LTPA classified as light, moderate or vigorous activities, the more frequently reported LTPA items and their mean weekly duration (in Hr). Results. Asian Indian adolescents reported lower weekly LTPA (p=0.001) with a mean difference of 13.6 MET-Hr/week and less intense LTPA (p<0.001) than controls. They spent higher absolute and relative times in light intensities activities (p<0.001 for both) and higher times in vigorous ones (p<0.001 for both). Conclusion. The lower levels of LTPA reported in Asian Indian adolescents of Guadeloupe should be taken into account in public health policies for disease prevention as Asian Indians are at high risk for several diseases whose incidence could be influenced by this behavioral trait.