Prevalence of Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Behavior Among Adults in Armenia

Abstract

Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are risk factors for developing non-communicable diseases. This study analyzed current levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors among the adult population of Armenia. Data were collected through a national STEPS survey of non-communicable diseases risk factors on a nationally-representative sample of 2,380 participants aged 18-69 years in Armenia in 2016. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity levels. Two out of ten people (21.6%) in Armenia did not meet the minimum levels of physical activity recommended by WHO to protect health. 13.2% of population spent over 8 h per day sitting, 47.2% were inactive at work and 32.4% did not do any transport-related physical activity. Only 13.8% of participants were physically active during leisure time. Specific groups with relatively high levels of physical inactivity were older adults, residents of Yerevan, people with lower levels of education, the unemployed and people who were retired. Sedentary behavior was more common among men, students, people who were retired, unemployed, residents of Yerevan, and adults aged under 30 and over 45 years.

Sedentary Behavior and Associated Factors Among Working Adults in Eastern Ethiopia

“…Sedentary behavior was higher among the older age in line with the previous literature in low-and-middle income countries ( 25 , 27 ). Moreover, evidence also showed that as age progresses physical activity and mobility decrease due to either loss of energy or disorders/illness that compromise physical fitness such as arthritis and musculoskeletal pain ( 40 , 41 ).…”

“…In urban centers of low-and-middle income countries, a more Western lifestyle may be evident, such as the use of more motorized transport, less labor-demanding jobs, and physically undemanding, mostly screen-based leisure, which may account for the higher sedentary levels in working adults in these settings. Sedentary behavior was higher among the older age in line with the previous literature in low-and-middle income countries (25,27). Moreover, evidence also showed that as age progresses physical activity and mobility decrease due to either loss of energy or disorders/illness that compromise physical fitness such as arthritis and musculoskeletal pain (40,41).…”

“…The prevalence of high sedentary behavior observed in this study was within the range reported from low-and middle-income countries ( 25 , 35 ). Our study showed that the mean (±SD) sedentary behavior was 5.9 (±2.1) hours per day, despite 51% of the study participants meeting WHO physical activity recommendations.…”

“…High sedentary behavior was higher among persons in the older age group, in those involved in non-manual work, among frequent khat users, and regular alcohol drinkers, and in those with high body mass index. The prevalence of high sedentary behavior observed in this study was within the range reported from low-and middleincome countries (25,35). Our study showed that the mean (±SD) sedentary behavior was 5.9 (±2.1) hours per day, despite 51% of the study participants meeting WHO physical activity recommendations.…”

“…The average total sedentary time per day was obtained by computing the sum of the 10 items. Currently, there is no well-accepted threshold to categorize a cut-off point for high sedentary behavior (25). However, previous evidence indicated that 8 or more hours of sedentary behavior was associated with a high risk for premature mortality (26)(27)(28)(29)(30).…”