Physical Activity Levels: Prevalence and Correlates among Urban and Rural Adults of Bangladesh

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, physical activity has become an important public health issue with an increasing attention in both developed and developing countries. In many countries, studies have measured the population level physical activity but internationally comparable data is still inadequate in Bangladesh. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and correlates of physical activity levels among urban and rural adults of Bangladesh

 METHODS: A total of 806 Bangladeshi adults (25-64 yrs) were interviewed for this population based cross-sectional study conducted in 2011. Respondents were selected by two stage systematic cluster sampling for interview. However, finally, data from 792 (urban-395 and rural-397) respondents were analyzed because overall data from 1.74 % respondents were found not valid in the data cleaning process. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire version 2 (GPAQv2) was used to estimate domain specific prevalence of physical activity. Binary logistic regression was used to assess socio-demographic factors associated with insufficient physical activity. Data were analysed by SPSS version 16.0.  

RESULTS: The prevalence of insufficient physical activity was highest in both areas with more in urban (53.9%, 95% CI=48.9-58.3) than the rural (39.3%, 95% CI=34.5-44.1). The prevalence of moderate and high level of physical activity were higher in rural (33.0%, 27.7%) than urban (23.1%, 23.0%) area respectively. The main contributions to total physical activity were from work and active commuting. Leisure-time physical activity represented a very small proportion (urban-2.6%, rural- 2.1%). Urban area (OR=2.19, 95% CI=1.51-3.21), women (OR=3.11, 95% CI=1.40-3.92), older age group (OR=15.6, 95% CI=7.55-32.20), people with high level of education (OR=8.64, 95% CI=4.10-17.70), and higher socio-economic class (OR=2.40, 95% CI=1.37-4.22) were positively associated with insufficient physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS: Physical inactivity in highly prevalent in Bangladesh. One in 2 person in urban area and 2 in 5 in rural area are inactive.