A study of physical activity levels and its correlates among adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONEvery year 38 million people succumb to death all over the world due to non-communicable diseases (NCD). Three-fourths of these deaths occur in low and middleincome countries like India. The probability of dying between 30 to 70 years in India is about 26 %, the cause being NCD's.1 A set of risk factors is attributed in the causation of these new generation epidemic diseases affecting the population across the World. These risk factors are tobacco, insufficient physical activity, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, raised blood pressure, overweight and obesity and raised cholesterol. Insufficient physical activity increases the risk of diabetes, breast and colon cancers, high blood pressure and depression. According to World Health Organisation, 23 % of the population are physically inactive globally. It amounts to be the 4 th leading risk factor for global mortality. 3Globalization and urbanisation affected the interests in ABSTRACT Background: Three fourth of the world's death burden is shared by low to middle income countries due to noncommunicable diseases. Physical inactivity is one of the important preventable risk factor in non-communicable diseases. It amounts to 4 th leading risk factor for global mortality. Hence, this study was conducted to study the physical activity level and its correlates among adult patients attending health training centres in Nagpur. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among adult patients attending the health centres of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College. Pregnant women, lactating women, debilitated patients and patients not giving consent were excluded from the study. A preformed and pretested questionnaire was used to conduct the interviews which included socio-demographic variables like age, sex, and educational status. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were measured according to the standard guidelines. The physical activity level was calculated using the principles of 1985 FAO/WHO/UNU expert consultation (WHO, 1985). Results: Of 200 study subjects, 59% were having a sedentary lifestyle, 27% were having a moderately active lifestyle and 14% were having a vigorously active lifestyle. A statistically significant increasing trend for sedentary study subjects (p =0.002 with age was found. Those who reported sedentary physical activity levels had 3.42 odds of being hypertensive, 7.44 times odds of being diabetic, 3 times odds of being overweight and 2.41 odds of being obese. The adults in urban areas were having significantly less physical activity levels when compared rural areas. Conclusions: Higher levels of sedentary lifestyle were found in urban areas compared to rural areas. As the age increased the sedentary lifestyle was having a significantly increasing trend. Physical activity was associated with the diabetic status, hypertensive status, and obesity status.

Patterns of physical activity among the students of an Indian university and their perceptions about the curricular content concerned with health

“…The study was conducted among the patients attending health training centers in Nagpur and participants' age ranged from 40 to more than 70 years. 5 This study reported a significantly increasing trend for sedentary lifestyle with age a finding that is consistent with our results too, though the age range of the subjects in our study was different. A study conducted in urban and rural Vellore city, Tamil Nadu, assessed the prevalence and factors associated with insufficient physical activity among adults aged 30-64 years.…”

“…Patterns of physical activity are undergoing significant change in the recent years among individuals of all age groups across the globe. [1][2][3][4][5] Literature suggests that these changes are mostly influenced by factors such as changing lifestyles, gender differences, economic status, socio-cultural influences, educational levels, occupational factors and other determinants. 6,7 Many workers in the field have reported a declining trend in physical activity profile among children, young adults and adults across different societies including India.…”

Assessment of physical activity level among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending rural health centre, Marappadi

“…9 In a cross sectional study done by Patil among adult patients attending the Indira Gandhi government medical college, older age was associated with less physical activity (p<0.01) and educational status was not associated with physical activity (p value 0.12). 4 In an analytical observational study done among type 2 diabetic patients attending the Diabetes Center of Hamadan by Fattahi the age and education was associated with physical activity (p<0.001) and occupation was not associated with physical activity. 3 In a cross sectional study done among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending Cheras Health Clinic by Shazwani et al the education is associated with physical activity (p<0.01) in which person having primary school certificate has highest physical activity.…”

“…3 The cross sectional study conducted by Patil among 200 adult patients attending the health centres of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College found that 59% were having a sedentary lifestyle, 27% were having a moderately active lifestyle and 14% were having a vigorously active lifestyle. 4 Two hundred twenty five patients were assessed in a study by Camila et al and it revealed that 107 (47.6%) had diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and 118 (52.4%) had type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1). 5 An epidemiological and biochemical study done by Dewan conducted in the District Sangrur, Punjab (India) found out that in a total sample of 1000 subjects, 359 persons were performing physical activities and 641 are doing work in the sitting posture.…”

“…3 A cross sectional study conducted by Patil among adult patients attending the health centres of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College found a statistically significant increasing trend for low physical activity with age among study subjects. 4 Shazwani et al conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the physical activity levels among a total of 132 patients (62 men and 70 women) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) at Cheras Health Clinic in Kuala Lumpur. Patients who were unmarried and aged 60 years and above had a lower physical activity level (p<0.05).…”