Back to Search
Start Over
Physical activity level and its sociodemographic correlates in a peri-urban Nepalese population: a cross-sectional study from the Jhaukhel-Duwakot health demographic surveillance site.
- Source :
- International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity; 2014, Vol. 11, p1-12, 12p, 2 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Background: Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular and other noncommunicable diseases in high-, low- and middle-income countries. Nepal, a low-income country in South Asia, is undergoing an epidemiological transition. Although the reported national prevalence of physical inactivity is relatively low, studies in urban and peri-urban localities have always shown higher prevalence. Therefore, this study aimed to measure physical activity in three domains--work, travel and leisure--in a peri-urban community and assess its variations across different sociodemographic correlates. Methods: Adult participants (n = 640) from six randomly selected wards of the Jhaukhel-Duwakot Health Demographic Surveillance Site (JD-HDSS) near Kathmandu responded to the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. To determine total physical activity, we calculated the metabolic equivalent of task in minutes/week for each domain and combined the results. Respondents were categorized into high, moderate or low physical activity. We also calculated the odds ratio for low physical activity in various sociodemographic variables and self-reported cardiometabolic states. Results: The urbanizing JD-HDSS community showed a high prevalence of low physical activity (43.3%; 95% CI 39.4-47.1). Work-related activity contributed most to total physical activity. Furthermore, women and housewives and older, more educated and self-or government-employed respondents showed a greater prevalence of physical inactivity. Respondents with hypertension, diabetes or overweight/obesity reported less physical activity than individuals without those conditions. Only 5% of respondents identified physical inactivity as a cardiovascular risk factor. Conclusions: Our findings reveal a high burden of physical inactivity in a peri-urban community of Nepal. Improving the level of physical activity involves sensitizing people to its importance through appropriate multi-sector strategies that provide encouragement across all sociodemographic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- ANTHROPOMETRY
BEHAVIOR modification
CARDIOVASCULAR diseases risk factors
CONFIDENCE intervals
DIABETES
HEALTH behavior
INTERVIEWING
QUESTIONNAIRES
RESEARCH funding
SEX distribution
SMOKING
SOCIOECONOMIC factors
PRINT materials
CROSS-sectional method
SEDENTARY lifestyles
PHYSICAL activity
DATA analysis software
ODDS ratio
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14795868
- Volume :
- 11
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 96098147
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-11-39