Abstract
BackgroundHealth benefits of physical activity measured in terms of metabolic equivalent minutes (MET-minutes per week) have been established. However, factors affecting physical activity, like age, gender, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, particularly in rural communities have not been documented on a large sample.MethodsBaseline physical activity data of more than 4000 subjects over 30 years of age, who were enrolled in a randomised community-based study on non-communicable diseases, were analysed. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used and anthropometric measurements were classified according to the MONICA study manual. Three domains of physical activity were measured as MET-minutes per week - activity at work, travel to and from places and recreational activities. Association of MET-minutes with sociodemographic variables and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases was studied.ResultsMean MET-minutes per week of females were found to be significantly lower than that of males and decreased with advancing age and higher BMI in both genders. Married persons, normal BMI, normal waist-hip ratio, lower leisure time activity had demonstrated higher MET values (P = 0.000). In our study, the prevalence of inactivity (<600 MET-minutes) was 3.2% which was similar in both males and females. As high as 96.2% of the subjects had MET-minutes of > 1200. Nearly 50% of the subjects had leisure time ranging from 121 to 240 minutes per day.ConclusionA large majority of adults over 30 years of age in a rural community in Karnataka (96.2%) had very high MET-minutes per week of >1200 per day. Abnormal BMI, higher waist-hip ratio and more leisure time were associated with lower MET-minutes which are modifiable. About 50% had more than 2 hours of leisure time per day. It is recommended that health promotion for active lifestyle should be encouraged.
Highlights
Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used and anthropometric measurements were classified according to the MONICA study manual
Levels of physical inactivity are rising in many countries with major implications for the general health of people worldwide and for the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer and their risk factors such as raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and overweight
The participants of the present analysis were recruited into a randomized community intervention trial funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted in Kaiwara and Kurubur primary health centre (PHC) areas of Chintamani Taluk, Chikballapur District, Karnataka, India
Summary
Levels of physical inactivity are rising in many countries with major implications for the general health of people worldwide and for the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer and their risk factors such as raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and overweight. Physical inactivity is estimated as being the principal cause for approximately 21-25% of breast and colon cancer burden, 27% of diabetes and approximately 30% of ischaemic heart disease burden [1]. About 2 million (5.5%) deaths occur every year and 2.1% of the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost is due to physical inactivity. Obesity or overweight causes 2.8 million deaths globally and 2.3% of global DALYs [3]. Factors affecting physical activity, like age, gender, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, in rural communities have not been documented on a large sample
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