Physical Activity Status and Related Factors among Middle-Aged Women in West of Iran, Hamadan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Shohreh Emdadi,Alireza Soltanian,Rashid Heidari Moghadam,Seyed Mohammad Mehdi Hazavehei,Saeed Bashirian

doi:10.5539/gjhs.v8n10p151

Shohreh Emdadi, Alireza Soltanian + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v8n10p151

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Abstract

Physical inactivity is a major health problem in developing countries. Regular Physical Activity (RPA) can reduce the risk of many diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity that are prevalent in middle and old ages specifically in women. The (RPA) status among middle-aged Iranian women is not well known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical activity status and related factors among middle-aged women in Hamadan, a city in western Iran. The participants of this cross-sectional study were comprised of 866 middle-aged women in Hamadan who were selected using a proportional stratified random sampling method in 2015. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire containing demographic characteristics and an International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-S).The data were analyzed with SPSS-16 software using Multi- nominal Logistic Regression. The results revealed that about 57% of the study population was inactive or not sufficiently active (light level). Additionally, the results showed that less than a quarter of the study participants (19.3%) exhibited a severe level of physical activity. The associations between RPA and age, education level and job were significant (P<0.05). The chi-square test revealed a significant difference in RPA with regards to residency locations (P<0.05). The demographic variables relationship with physical activity appears to be important and these findings can be a prelude to design of effective intervention strategies in promoting physical activity.

Highlights

One of the important contributors to a healthy lifestyle is the regular physical activity (RPA)
Results of the Iranian national study published by World Health Organization (WHO) have shown that the prevalence of inactivity in urban and rural areas between men and women aged 15 years and older were 76% and 58.8%, respectively and 67.5%, in total within the same age group (Hazavehei et al, 2008)
It appears that physical activity in middle age, especially in middle-aged women, leads to lifestyle modifications that extend in to older ages and enhances their quality of life (Barg et al, 2012)

Summary

Introduction

One of the important contributors to a healthy lifestyle is the regular physical activity (RPA). Extensive research shows that people of all ages can improve their health with regular physical activity (WHO, 2010). Numerous study findings indicate that moderate physical activity can reduce the risk of and death from heart disease and can significantly influence hypertension, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, colon cancer and obesity (Abassi, 2015; Li, 2013; Rehn, 2013; WHO, 2010). RPA can reduce levels of anxiety and depression and enhance self-esteem (USDHHS, 2008; Dashti, 2014). Several epidemiological studies have shown that insufficient physical activity increases mortality rate (Pate et al, 1995; Dumith, 2011; WHO, 2010). RPA has been associated with reduction of risk factors for the development of cerebral disease (Lee, 2003)

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