Level of insufficient physical activity among adults in a rural area of South India: A population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Insufficient physical activity is the fourth leading cause of death globally. Increased physical activity improves the physical and psychological well-being and decreases the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and cancer. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 267 adults from a rural area of Kancheepuram District in Tamil Nadu, South India. Cluster sampling method was used. Clusters were selected randomly. Within each clusters, the simple random sampling method was used to select the individual participants. Data were collected using the World Health Organization's standard Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: Overall prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults in a rural area of South India was 22.5% (17.88–27.85) (n = 60), and the prevalence of sufficient physical activity was 77.5 (72.2–82.08) (n = 207). Among overall physical activity, major contribution was from work (75%) followed by transport time activity (18%) and the least by leisure-time physical activity, which was only 7%. With increase in age, level of adequate physical activity was decreasing (adjusted odds ratio (0.95 [0.92–0.98], P < 0.001). Insufficient physical activity was not associated with any other studied factors (gender, employment, education, occupation, and marital status). Conclusion: In a rural area of South India, the physical activity was contributed majorly by work domain and least by other domains. Leisure-time physical activity in rural community was poor and to be encouraged in future by community interventions.

Keywords

• global physical activity questionnaire
• insufficient physical activity
• physical activity
• physical inactivity