A Cross-Sectional Examination of Physical Activity Levels and Their Socio-Demographic Determinants in Southern Tanzania

Abstract

Physical activity is essential for healthy aging. Evidence suggests that vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) may be more beneficial than moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA). We examined physical activity levels (MPA, VPA and total physical activity), and their socio-demographic determinants in 2311 participants (15–93 years; 68% women) of the MZIMA Open Community Cohort, who had complete relevant data. Physical activity levels were estimated in minutes per week across three domains—work, leisure and transport. We created three outcome variables: low MPA (<150 min per week of MPA), low VPA (<75 min per week of VPA) and insufficient physical activity (IPA: <150 min per week of total physical activity) and applied sample-weighted multivariable logistic regression to assess associations with potential socio-demographic determinants. Prevalence of IPA, low MPA and low VPA were 25%, 26% and 65% respectively. IPA and low MPA were correlated (Spearman R = 0.98; p < 0.001). Work, leisure and transport contributed 54%, 25% and 21% to total physical activity respectively. IPA and low VPA were significantly associated with female sex, lower education, non-manual occupation and frequent fruit consumption. We observed significant differences by sex (Pheterogeneity < 0.001), on the associations between education and IPA, and between age, occupation and low VPA. In conclusion, low levels of VPA, which were more pronounced in women, support the monitoring and promotion of VPA alongside overall physical activity. Leisure-related activities should also be promoted towards gains in vigorous-intensity and total physical activity in this setting.

Sociodemographic Associations of Physical Activity in People of Working Age

“…The respondents of both sexes with a secondary education were characterized by a higher level of total physical activity and fulfilled the ACSM standards more often than those with a primary and basic vocational education. Positive correlations between physical activity and the level of education had been found by Kwaśniewska et al [8], Choi et al [25], Msambichaka et al [26], and Rocca et al [27]. Our earlier research on the Katowice population [4,12] and studies by Biernat [9] and Gubelmann [28] indicated a decrease in physical activity with an increase in the level of education.…”

Sociodemographic inequities associated with participation in leisure-time physical activity in sub-Saharan Africa: an individual participant data meta-analysis

“…Due to the multitude of methods for measuring and analysing participation in physical activity across its various domains, direct comparisons with the literature were limited [2,[39][40][41]. The observed prevalence of LTPA participation was slightly lower than the participation levels reported in the few studies conducted in SSA.…”

Intensity Matters for Musculoskeletal Health: A Cross-Sectional Study on Movement Behaviors of Older Adults from High-Income Scottish and Low-Income South African Communities

“…This finding could be explained by the fact that most of the participants involved in our study were either unemployed or retired. The main contributor to engagement in MVPA in LMICs is the occupational domain and to lesser extent participation in leisure activities [ 47 , 48 ]. In agreement with previous studies [ 49 ], South African older adults spent more time in LPA relative to the other movement behaviors.…”