Abstract
BackgroundLow level of physical activity (PA) has become an important public health problem even in low-income countries. The objectives of this study were to measure PA levels, determine the prevalence of low PA and identify socio-demographic factors associated with it in Bangladeshi adults.MethodsData from 792 (urban, 395; rural, 397) Bangladeshi adults (25–64 years) were included in this population-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2011. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire version 2 (GPAQ-2) was used to measure PA. The metabolic equivalent task (MET) in minutes per week was calculated to determine total PA. Participants were categorized into low, moderate and high PA groups. Logistic regression was used to assess socio-demographic factors associated with low level of PA.ResultsMedian MET-minute of total PA per week was almost double in the rural area (1720) than the urban area (960). The overall prevalence of low PA was 50.3% (95% CI: 46.8–53.8), urban 59.5% (54.7–64.3) and rural 41.9% (37.0–46.8). Women in general were more inactive (women 63.1% [58.3–67.9], men 39.3% [34.6–44.0]). The main contributions to total PA were from work (urban 40.0%, rural 77.0%) and active commute (57.0%, 21.0%). Leisure-time PA represented a very small proportion (<3.0%). Multiple logistic regressions found a significant association of urban residence (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.5–3.2), women (2.1; 1.4–3.9), oldest age group 55–64 years (15.6; 7.5–32.2) compared to youngest age group 25–34 years, graduation or further education (8.6; 4.1–17.7), and higher socio-economic class (2.4; 1.4–4.2) compared to poor with insufficient PA.ConclusionsThis study identifies low PA in a rural and urban population in Bangladesh and that further large-scale population studies are warranted.
Highlights
Low level of physical activity (PA) has become an important public health problem even in lowincome countries
Each household was considered as a cluster and who were available in that cluster were approached to participate in this study
Prevalence of PA levels According to the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire version 2 (GPAQ-2) classification, the overall agestandardized prevalence of PA levels was low 50.3%, moderate 26.6% (23.5–29.7), and high 23.1% (20.6–26.0)
Summary
Low level of physical activity (PA) has become an important public health problem even in lowincome countries. The objectives of this study were to measure PA levels, determine the prevalence of low PA and identify socio-demographic factors associated with it in Bangladeshi adults. Physical activity (PA) has become an important public health issue in both high- and low-income countries [1, 2]. NCDs are increasing in Bangladesh [24] This increase is concomitant to increasing sedentary lifestyle due to gradual mechanization of life in addition to the high prevalence of other major risk factors such as tobacco use [25] and salt intake [26]. The objectives of this study were to measure PA levels and determine associated sociodemographic factors in Bangladeshi adults
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