Prevalence, patterns, and correlates of physical activity in Nepal: findings from a nationally representative study using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ)

Abstract

Background The promotion of a physically active lifestyle might help address the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases in Nepal. However, there is a lack of nationally representative estimates of physical activity (PA) prevalence in Nepal. The aim of this nationwide cross-sectional study was to determine domain-specific PA levels and the association of socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics with total PA among Nepalese adults aged 15–69 years. Methods The data were collected using self-administered questionnaires in a nationally representative sample of 4143 adults (66.5% females), comprised of both rural and urban populations in Nepal. PA levels were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Results Based on self-reported estimates, around 97% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 96–98%) of men and 98% (95% CI: 98–99%) of women were found to meet the recommended levels of PA. Both men and women reported high occupational PA, whilst most participants of both sexes did not report engaging in any leisure-time PA. A multiple regression analysis showed that less self-reported total PA was associated with older age, higher level of education, urban place of residence, never been married, being underweight, and smoking in both sexes and with overweight and obesity in males ( p < 0.05 for all). Conclusion According to self-reported estimates, majority of Nepalese men and women are meeting the recommended levels of PA. The total self-reported PA in Nepalese adults is high, because many of them have labour intensive jobs. Although older age, higher level of education, urban place of residence, never been married, being underweight, and smoking in both sexes, as well as overweight and obesity in males were inversely associated with self-reported PA, the overall level of PA in all these groups was very high. Given the high overall self-reported PA found in the current study, promoting more PA in Nepal may not be as important as in some other countries; not even in the population groups for which we found a negative association with PA. Nevertheless, future studies should examine whether a more balanced distribution of occupational and leisure-time PA would promote better health among Nepalese adults. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-7215-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A descriptive cross sectional study comparing barriers and determinants of physical activity of Sri Lankan middle aged and older adults

“…A cross sectional study done on Nepalese adults in the age range of 15-69 years demonstrates that high level of education, had a negative association with physical activity levels. The reason for high level of education to have a negative association with physical activity were believed to be due to people with high level education in Nepal were involved in more sedentary occupations (Pedisic et al, 2019). [29] This study done in Nepal supports our study findings.…”

“…The reason for high level of education to have a negative association with physical activity were believed to be due to people with high level education in Nepal were involved in more sedentary occupations (Pedisic et al, 2019). [29] This study done in Nepal supports our study findings. As in Nepal, In Sri Lanka too, the people with high level of education may be involved in more sedentary type of occupations.…”

Trends and correlates of meeting 24-hour movement guidelines: a 15-year study among 167,577 Thai adults

“…The overall 24-h movement behaviour guideline in the Korean study included [77]. In some countries, such as Nepal [84], the prevalence of meeting MVPA recommendation was even higher than in Thailand. In studies that relied on data from PA questionnaires, such high prevalence rates may be a consequence of self-report bias.…”

“…Our results for MVPA prevalence in the Thai population are concordant with previous findings mainly from low- and middle-income countries For example, the percentage of meeting MVPA recommendation in East and Southeast Asia increased from 74.3% in 2001 to 82.7% in 2016 [ 77 ]. In some countries, such as Nepal [ 84 ], the prevalence of meeting MVPA recommendation was even higher than in Thailand. In studies that relied on data from PA questionnaires, such high prevalence rates may be a consequence of self-report bias.…”

Association of altitude and urbanization with hypertension and obesity: analysis of the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016

“… 34 , 35 Higher BMI or overweight/obesity in urban areas may be attributed to increased access to energy-dense processed food, changing dietary patterns from traditional to Western habits, 36 increased sedentary lifestyles 33 , 37 and reductions in recreational physical activity due to a lack of open public spaces. 38 The lower BMI among rural residents may be explained by food insecurity and malnutrition, a higher level of physical activity from subsistence farming 38 and active commuting by walking. In general, overall poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition have been documented as higher in rural areas of Nepal than urban areas.…”