Are there gender based differences in participation and time spent in physical activity in Albania? Evidence from 2017-18 demographic and health survey

Abstract

Background Since 1990, Albania has embraced the market economy and globalization. Prosperity and modernization have also brought significant lifestyle changes toward unhealthy behaviours, doubling the mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). While Physical Activity (PA) can mitigate the NCDs burden, participation is low in Albania. To date, research on PA determinants that could meaningfully inform policy is lacking. To fill this gap, this study examines the PA behaviour among Albanian adults. Specifically, we assess the decisions to participate, and the time spent in PA. Methods Using the 2017–2018 Albania Demographic and Health Survey data and a double-hurdle regression model, we simultaneously assess the influence of demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors on the likelihood of participating (extensive margin) and the time spent (intensive margin) in PA. To understand gender differences regarding PA decisions, we run separate models for men and women. Results Results show significant variations in the likelihood of participation and the time spent in PA, by household economic status, administrative regions, occupation, and education. We find that likelihood of participation in PA increases with household wealth, but conditional on participation, affluent Albanians spent less time in PA. Education and employment status also have opposite effects on participation and time spent margins. Results show notable gender-based differences in PA behaviour (either for participation or time spent) related to education, age, family structure (marital status and the number of young children), regions, occupation, and lifestyle factors. Conclusions Insights in understanding the PA behaviour of Albanian adults allow policymakers to identify socio-demographic groups most in need of intervention effort. To effectively support PA among Albanians, policymakers should target males and females differently and address gender-specific needs accordingly.

Physical Activity among Rural Residents in Eastern, Central, and Western Provinces of China: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Due to the lack of sports and recreational infrastructure and inadequate built environments that can facilitate badminton/cycling/basketball and other forms of PE in rural areas of China, rural residents have little choice but can only adopt simple forms of physical exercise such as walking and running and their enthusiasm for PE can be reduced. With further economic development and people shifting away from organically incorporating PA in daily work activities, people would need to pursue PA more proactively through PE [ 71 ]. Government should pay more attention to build sport and PE facilities in rural areas that will improve PE level of rural residents.…”

Physical Activity Among Rural Residents in Eastern, Central and Western Provinces of China: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…However, the current ways of physical exercise adopted by rural residents were simple with little requirements for equipment and space that may be determined by the less developed sports and physical exercise facilities in rural areas. Due to the lack of sports and recreational infrastructure and inadequate built environments that can facilitate badminton/cycling/basketball and other forms of physical exercise in rural areas of China, rural residents have little choice but can only adopt simple ways of physical exercise such as walking and running and their enthusiasm for physical exercise can be reduced.With further economic development and people shifting away from organically incorporating PA in daily work activities, people would need to pursue PA more proactively through physical exercise [69]. Government should pay more attention to build sport and physical exercise facilities in rural areas that will improve physical exercise level of rural residents.…”