Prevalence and sociodemographic patterns of physical activity among Bangladeshi young adults

Abstract

BackgroundPhysical activity offers physical and psychosocial health benefits that are important during young adulthood and later in life. However, little is known about the physical activity of young adults in low- and middle-income countries. The purpose of this study was to estimate the participation of physical activity in Bangladeshi young adults and to assess differences by gender, age and family income.MethodsThis cross-sectional study with a self-administered survey used a convenience sample of 573 young adults aged 18–24 years from six purposively selected universities in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Data were collected during September–November 2015. Medians and their interquartile ranges of weekly time spent in total physical activity, and in different domains of physical activity, were computed. Non-parametric equality of medians test was used to examine gender differences in the median values. Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used to examine gender differences in the prevalence of meeting physical activity recommendations and frequency of participation in different leisure-time physical activities, and differences in meeting the activity recommendations by age and family income.ResultsSeventeen percent of the participants were meeting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) recommendations with a significantly higher proportion of males than females (27 vs. 6%, p < .0001). Median duration of MVPA was significantly higher (p < .0001) for males [120 min/week (80, 190)] than females [90 min/week (50, 120)]. Jogging/running was the most commonly reported leisure-time physical activity, with 20% of males and 12% of females doing this at least once a week. Age and family income were not significantly associated with meeting MVPA recommendations.ConclusionsFour out of five young adults in Dhaka City did not meet the physical activity recommendations. Additional population-based studies, including regional and metropolitan areas, and using objective measurement, are needed to understand the physical activity patterns of Bangladeshi young adults.

Level of physical activity among adult population in Paraguay.Prevalence and associates factors

“…La diferencia de los niveles de AF según sexo y grupos de edad está bien definida en diferentes estudios. El descenso importante de la AF se da en ambos sexos alrededor de los 50 años, grupo de edad en donde también se reportan las medias de mayor índice de masa corporal (sobrepeso y obesidad) (18)(19)(20)(21)(22). La mayor actividad física en los estratos económicos más bajos, el cual se muestra marcadamente en hombres, es un patrón que puede ser explicado por las características del tipo de actividad laboral de este grupo, generalmente trabajo manual, y además se puede explicar por qué en estos estratos hoy se observa menos exceso de peso en el Paraguay, a diferencia de otros países de mayor desarrollo económico en donde el fenómeno es a la inversa (22)(23)(24).…”

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and psychological wellbeing among young adults in Bangladesh: A one-year prospective study

“…A convenience sample of first, second and third-year students aged 18 to 24 years were recruited from six (three public and three private) universities in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. The recruitment procedure has been described elsewhere (Uddin et al 2017 (Bull et al 2009). In the current study, the self-administered version of the GPAQ was used (Chu et al 2015).…”

“…As fourth-year students were unlikely to be available for a follow-up, they were not invited. Details of the recruitment procedure has been described elsewhere (Uddin et al 2017…”

“…Participants' PA was measured with the GPAQ; details of PA assessment has been described elsewhere (Uddin et al 2017). In short, participants were asked whether they engaged in regular PA for each of at work, during transportation and leisure for at least 10 mins continuously, and if so, the number of days in a typical week, and how much time on a typical day.…”

“…in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Details of the recruitment procedure have been discussed elsewhere (Uddin et al 2017). Participating students completed a written self-administered written survey with questions about PA, SB, psychological and social factors (e.g., stress, social support), health and lifestyle behaviours (e.g., weight, cigarette smoking), and sociodemographic factors.…”