Abstract
BackgroundFew studies have investigated patterns of physical activity in a multi-ethnic Asian urban population. Even less is known about sedentary behaviors in these populations. The present study examined the prevalence of physical activity, exercise and sedentary behavior. In addition, it investigated socio-demographic correlates and the contribution of different domains towards overall physical activity.MethodsData of 2319 participants from the population-based cross-sectional Singapore Health 2012 study were analyzed. Physical activity, exercise and sedentary behavior were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaires. A modified Cox regression model was used to estimate the relative prevalence rates (PR) for overall physical activity, leisure-time exercise and high level of sedentary behavior by socio-demographic factors.ResultsOverall, 73.8% of participants met physical activity guidelines, 24.3% did regular leisure-time exercise and 37.0% reported high levels of sedentary behavior. Travel-related activities contributed about half of the total physical activity. There was a consistent association between age of participants with physical activity and exercise. Older participants were less likely to meet the guidelines (PR = 0.74, 95% C I = 0.61 – 0.91) than younger participants. The prevalence of regular exercise was lowest among 30 to 39 years aged participants (PR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.45 – 0.86). Females exercised less regularly (PR = 0.63, 95% C I = 0.51 – 0.76) than males. Participants with higher education exercised regularly (PR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.45 – 2.99) than participants with lower education. Employment status was consistently associated with exercise and high levels of sedentary behavior. Participants who were not in full-time employment exercised more regularly (PR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.1 – 1.92) and were less likely to report high levels of sedentary behavior (PR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.44 – 0.97) than those in full-time employment.ConclusionsOur population-based study suggests a need to encourage overall physical activity but, particularly regular leisure-time exercise, especially among middle-aged, females and those with lower levels of education and full-time employment. Strategies targeting workplaces may be important to reduce high levels of sedentary behavior.
Highlights
Few studies have investigated patterns of physical activity in a multi-ethnic Asian urban population
World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that men are physically more active than women globally and the prevalence of insufficient physical activity, ie not meeting the WHO recommended physical activity guideline in South East Asia is lowest among all WHO regions with 15% for men and 19% for women [3]
This specific information regarding the type of physical activity can be relevant, firstly because it has been suggested that the health benefits of certain types and intensities of activities might not be the same, and secondly, because public health implications and necessary health promotion strategies could differ depending on observed patterns [12,13,14,15]
Summary
Few studies have investigated patterns of physical activity in a multi-ethnic Asian urban population. The present study examined the prevalence of physical activity, exercise and sedentary behavior It investigated socio-demographic correlates and the contribution of different domains towards overall physical activity. Little is known about overall physical activity and exercise, but especially about domain-specific contributions towards physical activity, as well as their determining factors in the multi-ethnic Singaporean context This specific information regarding the type of physical activity can be relevant, firstly because it has been suggested that the health benefits of certain types and intensities of activities might not be the same, and secondly, because public health implications and necessary health promotion strategies could differ depending on observed patterns [12,13,14,15]
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