scholarly journals Physical Activity in Adolescents Living in Rural and Urban New Caledonia: The Role of Socioenvironmental Factors and the Association With Weight Status

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Wattelez ◽  
Stéphane Frayon ◽  
Corinne Caillaud ◽  
Olivier Galy
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Adolescent Boys ◽  
Active Lifestyle ◽  
Out Of School

Physical activity (PA) is an important factor for the prevention of overweight and obesity, particularly during adolescence. This study focuses on the understudied adolescent population of New Caledonia with the aim to (1) determine the daily PA levels and estimate the sedentary time through out-of-school sitting time; (2) highlight the influence of sociodemographic and environmental factors, and (3) assess the associations of PA and sitting time with overweight and obesity. A sample of 508 school-going adolescents living in New Caledonia was surveyed about their PA habits using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form, as well as about the context in which they usually engage in PA. The influences of the place of living and ethnic community were also investigated. Results indicated that about 66% of the adolescents performed an average of at least 60 min of PA daily. Both Melanesian adolescent boys and girls were more active than Caucasian adolescents but only when they lived in rural areas (females: 115 vs. 93 min/day, p = 0.018; males: 133 vs. 97 min/day, p = 0.018). Indeed, PA was reduced in an urban environment (females: 88 min/day; males: 95 min/day, p = 0.028; rural vs. urban in Melanesian adolescents). Melanesian adolescents also spent less time in out-of-school sitting than Caucasian adolescents independently of where they lived (females: 164 vs. 295 min/day, p < 0.001; males: 167 vs. 239 min/day, p = 0.001). Feeling safe was positively associated with PA levels (females: ORadj = 2.85, p < 0.001; males: ORadj = 4.45, p < 0.001). In the adolescent boys, accessibility to a suitable place was also an important factor (ORadj = 2.94, p = 0.002). Finally, while PA and sitting time were negatively associated with overweight in male adolescents (ORadj = 0.28, p = 0.044 and ORadj = 0.39, p = 0.004), they were not in females. Living in a rural area allowed the Melanesian adolescents to maintain a more active lifestyle with more physical activities and less sitting time. Our results also indicated that safety was an important driver for engagement in PA. The urban environment in New Caledonia appears to be a contributor of a less active lifestyle in adolescents.

scholarly journals POS1309 PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES OF UNDERWEIGHT, OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY AMONG PATIENTS WITH JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS (JIA): EVIDENCE FROM THE NATIONAL PAEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGIC DATABASE (NPRD)

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 936.2-937
Author(s):  
F. Milatz ◽  
J. Klotsche ◽  
M. Niewerth ◽  
J. Hörstermann ◽  
D. Windschall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis ◽  
General Population ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Treatment Response ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Obesity In Children

Background:In patients with JIA, growth impairment and variance in body composition are well-known long-term complications that may be associated with prolonged drug therapy (e.g. glucocorticoids) as well as impaired physical and psychosocial well-being. An increased accumulation of body fat represents a significant risk factor for metabolic abnormalities and a modifiable variable for a number of comorbidities. Recently, evidence has emerged in favour of the potential negative influence of overweight on the course of the disease and treatment response [1].Objectives:The study aimed a) to estimate the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in children and adolescents with JIA compared to the general population, and b) to investigate correlates of patients’ weight status.Methods:A cross-sectional analysis of physicians’ recorded body weights and heights of patients with JIA enrolled in the NPRD in the year 2019 was performed. Underweight (BMI <10th), overweight (BMI >90th) and obesity (BMI >97th) were defined according to age- and sex-specific percentiles used in the German reference system. For comparison with data from the general population [2], sex- and age-matched pairs of 3-17-year-old patients and controls were generated. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between weight status and patients’ clinical and self-reported outcomes.Results:In total, data from 6.515 children and adolescents with JIA (age 11.2 ± 4.1 years, disease duration 4.9 ± 3.8 years, 67% girls, 40% persistent oligoarthritis) were included. Of these, 3.334 (age 5.9 ± 2.1 years, 52.5% girls) could be considered for matched-pair analysis. Compared with the general population, patients underweight, overweight and obesity rates were 10.6% (vs. 8.1%), 8.8% (vs. 8.5%) and 6.1% (vs. 5.7%), respectively. No significant sex differences were found in either group. Largest difference in prevalence was registered for underweight, specifically in the age group 3-6 years (12.9% patients vs. 5.9% controls). Similar to the general population, higher rates of overweight were observed in adolescent patients than in affected children (19.1% age group 11-13 vs. 8.4% age group 3-6). While the highest underweight prevalence was registered in patients with RF+ polyarthritis (16%), patients with Enthesitis-related arthritis (22%), psoriatic arthritis (21%) and systemic JIA (20%) showed the highest overweight rates (including obesity). Younger age (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.31-0.83), more frequent physical activity (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.85-0.99) and high parental vocational education (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.18-0.80) were independently associated with a lower likelihood of being overweight/obese.Conclusion:The overall prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in children and adolescents with JIA is comparable to that found in the general population. Behavioural health promotion, including regular physical activity, as part of the treatment strategy in JIA should preventively already begin at preschool age and necessarily be made accessible to patients of all educational levels.References:[1]Giani T et al. The influence of overweight and obesity on treatment response in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Front Pharmacol 2019;10:637.[2]Schienkiewitz A et al. BMI among children and adolescents: prevalences and distribution considering underweight and extreme obesity. Bundesgesundheitsbl 2019;62:1225–1234.Acknowledgements:The National Paediatric Rheumatological Database has been funded by AbbVie, Chugai, Novartis and GSK.Disclosure of Interests:Florian Milatz: None declared, Jens Klotsche: None declared, Martina Niewerth: None declared, Jana Hörstermann: None declared, Daniel Windschall: None declared, Frank Weller-Heinemann Speakers bureau: Pfizer, AbbVie, SOBI, Roche and Novartis., Frank Dressler: None declared, Rainer Berendes: None declared, Johannes-Peter Haas: None declared, Gerd Horneff: None declared, Kirsten Minden Speakers bureau: Pfizer, AbbVie, Consultant of: Novartis

scholarly journals Urbanization and greenness in HBSC survey: association with overweight and obesity in adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Bellisario ◽  
R Bono ◽  
G Squillacioti ◽  
M Caputo ◽  
I Gintoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Children Health ◽  
Public Health Strategies

Abstract Background Childhood obesity is an important public health issue worldwide and includes different risk factors, such as environmental pollutants exposure or physical activity. Neighborhood composition and green spaces availability could contrast obesogenic lifestyles and promote healthy habits, whereas, urbanization and traffic volume exposure are inversely associated with physical activity and worsen effects on childhood health. Methods This project analyzed students involved in the HBSC survey from the Piedmont Region. Data were collected in 2018, following the protocol. All the subjects were georeferenced within buffers around schools. Green-spaces availability was measured by Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI-satellite images) while urbanization was calculated by population density, traffic intensity (satellite measurements) and air pollution concentration (sampling stations). Results Overall, the sample included 3022 subjects, with amount 50% male/female and 30% for each age group (11-13-15 years old). Concerning weight status, above 14% of the all sample is obese or overweight, with, respectively, 20% among boys and 11% among girls. Preliminary analyses showed an association between weight status and population density (rural vs urbanized areas). Currently, we are analyzing the association with greenness and the other measures of urbanization. Conclusions Our preliminary findings suggest that high urbanization levels impact health implementing weight in children. We are testing the hypothesis that greenness positively influences weight status and reduce negative effects of urbanization and air pollution. The managing of these risk factors must be deepened and corroborated by active preventive Public Health strategies for improving children health. Key messages Urbanization and greenness may influence weight status in children. Public Health strategies must be improved for children health.

scholarly journals Systematic review of interventions in the childcare setting with direct parental involvement: effectiveness on child weight status and energy balance-related behaviours

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. van de Kolk ◽  
S. R. B. Verjans-Janssen ◽  
J. S. Gubbels ◽  
S. P. J. Kremers ◽  
S. M. P. L. Gerards
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Parental Involvement ◽  
Sedentary Behaviour ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Intervention Effectiveness

Abstract Background The early years are a crucial period to promote healthy energy balance-related behaviours in children and prevent overweight and obesity. The childcare setting is important for health-promoting interventions. Increasingly, attention has been paid to parental involvement in childcare-based interventions. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions with direct parental involvement on the children’s weight status and behavioural outcomes. Methods A systematic search was conducted in four electronic databases to include studies up until January 2019. Studies written in English, describing results on relevant outcomes (weight status, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and/or nutrition-related behaviour) of childcare-based interventions with direct parental involvement were included. Studies not adopting a pre-post-test design or reporting on pilot studies were excluded. To improve comparability, effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were calculated. Information on different types of environment targeted (e.g., social, physical, political and economic) was extracted in order to narratively examine potential working principles of effective interventions. Results A total of 22 studies, describing 17 different interventions, were included. With regard to the intervention group, 61.1% found some favourable results on weight status, 73.3% on physical activity, 88.9% on sedentary behaviour, and all on nutrition-related behaviour. There were studies that also showed unfavourable results. Only a small number of studies was able to show significant differences between the intervention and control group (22.2% weight status, 60.0% physical activity, 66.6% sedentary behaviour, 76.9% nutrition behaviour). Effect sizes, if available, were predominantly small to moderate, with some exceptions with large effect sizes. The interventions predominantly targeted the socio-cultural and physical environments in both the childcare and home settings. Including changes in the political environment in the intervention and a higher level of intensity of parental involvement appeared to positively impact intervention effectiveness. Conclusion Childcare-based interventions with direct parental involvement show promising effects on the children’s energy balance-related behaviours. However, evidence on effectiveness is limited, particularly for weight-related outcomes. Better understanding of how to reach and involve parents may be essential for strengthening intervention effectiveness.

scholarly journals Criterion validity and reliability of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Hungarian short form against the RM42 accelerometer

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pongrác Ács ◽  
Réka Veress ◽  
Paulo Rocha ◽  
Tamás Dóczi ◽  
Bence László Raposa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
International Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

Abstract Background Physical inactivity is a global phenomenon in European welfare countries. Proper monitoring is essential to measure the physical activity level of the population. Methods In the Hungarian cohort of the European Physical Activity and Sport Monitoring System (EUPASMOS) project, our participants (N = 598) completed sociodemographic questions and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – short form (IPAQ-SF) survey. The validity and reliability of the subjective measurement tool were examined, IPAQ-SF outcomes were contrasted against triaxial RM42 accelerometer wore for 7 consecutive days. Results The IPAQ-SF showed moderate internal consistency (Cronbach Alpha = 0.647). The concurrent validity of the IPAQ-SF to triaxial accelerometer indicated a significant weak-to-moderate correlation (R = 0.111–0.338, p = 0.042; p < 0.001). The test-retest reliability showed a significant correlation between two measurements (R = 0.788–0.981, p < 0.001). Conclusion The Hungarian version of the IPAQ-SF had excellent test-retest reliability, but low-to-fair concurrent validity for moderate and vigorous physical activity, walking and sitting time, as compared to the objective criterion measure among Hungarian adults.

Changes in Health-Related Quality of Life and Physical Activity Among Older Adults in the First-Wave COVID-19 Outbreak: A Longitudinal Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Rosiane Jesus do Nascimento ◽  
Valter Cordeiro Barbosa Filho ◽  
Cassiano Ricardo Rech ◽  
Rafaela Batista Brasil ◽  
Renato Campos Junior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Daily Physical Activity ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

The current study aimed to follow the effects of social/physical distancing strategies on health-related daily physical activity and quality of life among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-two older adults who were enrolled in a University–Community program in March 2020 (age = 66.8 ± 4.82 years, ♀59) answered five phone-based surveys up to 120 days after the COVID-19 outbreak (from April to August 2020). The Short Form 6D and international physical activity (short version) questionnaires were applied. A significant reduction was observed in daily physical activity levels, metabolic equivalent of task, and health-related quality of life scores as well as an increase in sitting time during the week and on weekend days (all p < .01). The authors noted differences in lifestyle conditions at the beginning of the social/physical distancing in the community assessed (p < .01). Health vulnerabilities among older adults have been emphasized during the COVID-19 outbreak, impacting daily physical activity and health-related quality of life.

scholarly journals Criterion-related validity of the last 7-day, short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in Swedish adults

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 258-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Ekelund ◽  
Hanna Sepp ◽  
Sören Brage ◽  
Wulf Becker ◽  
Rupert Jakes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
International Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Criterion Validity ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Average Intensity ◽  
Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the validity of the short, last 7-day, self-administered form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).DesignAll subjects wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days and completed the IPAQ questionnaire on the eighth day. Criterion validity was assessed by linear regression analysis and by modified Bland–Altman analysis. Specificity and sensitivity were calculated for classifying respondents according to the physical activity guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.SettingWorkplaces in Uppsala, Sweden.SubjectsOne hundred and eighty-five (87 males) participants, aged 20 to 69 years.ResultsTotal self-reported physical activity (PA) (MET-min day−1) was significantly correlated with average intensity of activity (counts min−1) from accelerometry (r=0.34, P<0.001). Gender, age, education and body mass index did not affect this relationship. Further, subcomponents of self-reported PA (time spent sitting, time in PA, time in moderate and vigorous activity (MVPA)) were significantly correlated with objectively measured PA (P<0.05). Self-reported time in PA was significantly different from time measured by accelerometry (mean difference: −25.9 min day−1; 95% limits of agreement: −172 to 120 min day−1; P<0.001). IPAQ identified 77% (specificity) of those who met the current PA guidelines of accumulating more than 30 min day−1 in MVPA as determined by accelerometry, whereas only 45% (sensitivity) of those not meeting the guidelines were classified correctly.ConclusionsOur results indicate that the short, last 7-days version of the IPAQ has acceptable criterion validity for use in Swedish adults. However, the IPAQ instrument significantly overestimated self-reported time spent in PA. The specificity to correctly classify people achieving current PA guidelines was acceptable, whereas the sensitivity was low.

scholarly journals Actividad física realizada por escolares españoles según edad y género (Physical activity carried out by Spanish schoolchildren according to age and gender)

Retos ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 238-245
Author(s):  
José Eugenio Rodríguez-Fernández ◽  
Javier Rico-Díaz ◽  
Pedro Josué Neira-Martín ◽  
Rubén Navarro-Patón
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
World Health ◽  
School Sports ◽  
Health Promotion And Education ◽  
Obesity And Overweight ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Educación Primaria ◽  
Out Of School

  Estilos de vida poco saludables, asociados a casos de sedentarismo, obesidad y sobrepeso, constituyen un grave problema de salud de la población infantil en España. A pesar de los esfuerzos de organismos como la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) por promover programas de promoción y educación para la salud en los colegios, los índices de sobrepeso y obesidad siguen siendo muy elevados en nuestro país. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el nivel de actividad física en escolares españoles de 5º y 6º de educación primaria. Participaron 1009 estudiantes de 10 y 12 años (Medad = 10.85, DE = 0.79), empleando como instrumento para la recogida de datos el Inventario de Actividad Física Habitual para Escolares (IAFHE). Los resultados muestran diferencias estadísticamente significativas respecto del género y la práctica deportiva fuera del colegio (NPFC) (p < .001), la práctica de actividad física durante el recreo (AFDR) (p < .001) y la práctica de actividades sedentarias (PAS) (p < .001); también, respecto de la edad y la AFDR (p = .001). Los niños practican mayor cantidad de actividad física que las niñas dentro y fuera del colegio, pero, en ambos casos, están por debajo de las recomendaciones de la OMS, debiendo reflexionar sobre los hábitos saludables fomentados desde la educación física escolar.  Abstract. Unhealthy lifestyles, associated with cases of sedentary lifestyle, obesity and overweight, constitute a serious health problem for children in Spain. Despite the efforts of organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), to promote health promotion and education programs in schools, rates of overweight and obesity remain very high in our country. The objective of this study was to determine the level of physical activity in Spanish students of 5th and 6th grade of primary education. A total of 1009 students of 10 and 12 years old (Mage = 10.85, DE = 0.79), responded the Inventory of Habitual Physical Activity for Schoolchildren (IAFHE), used as the instrument for data collection. The results show statistically significant differences by gender and out-of-school sports practice (NPOS) (p < .001), physical activity during recess (PADR) (p < .001) and sedentary activities (PSA) (p < .001); by age and PADR as well (p = .001). Boys practice more physical activity than girls in and out of school, but, in both cases, they are below WHO recommendations, which should arouse a reflection on healthy habits promoted through school physical education.

scholarly journals The Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Pain, Physical Activity, and Anxiety in Individuals with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gülşah Özsoy ◽  
Hayriye Yılmaz ◽  
İsmail Özsoy
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Musculoskeletal Pain ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Life Period ◽  
Isolation Period

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has many features that can potentially trigger and increase chronic pain. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the pandemic on pain, physical activity and anxiety in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain, in both periods of isolation and controlled social life. Methods: Seventy one individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain were included in the study. Three different periods (pre-pandemic, isolation and controlled social life) were evaluated and analyzed. Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)), coronavirus anxiety (Coronavirus Anxiety Scale Short Form (CAS-SF)), and physical activity level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF)) were evaluated. Results: The VAS resting score was significantly higher during the isolation compared to the pre-pandemic period (p = 0.002). The VAS activity score was significantly higher in the isolation period compared to both pre-pandemic (p <0.001) and controlled social life periods (p <0.001). The lowest IPAQ-SF score (p <0.001) and the longest sitting time (p <0.001) were in the isolation period. The CAS-SF scores were significantly higher in the isolation period compared to the controlled social life period (p <0.001). Conclusion: While the measures taken during the isolation period had negative impacts on the severity of pain, physical activity and anxiety levels in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain, gradual deconfinement in the controlled social life period led to a decrease in pain intensity and anxiety and an increase in physical activity.

scholarly journals Insufficient physical activity level among Sahrawi adults living in a protracted refugee setting

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eivind Andersen ◽  
Ida Kjellså ◽  
Victoria Telle Hjellset ◽  
Sigrun Henjum
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Refugee Camps ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Western Sahara

Abstract Background The Sahrawi people fled their homes in 1975 as the conflict in Western Sahara escalated and settled down near Tindouf, Algeria, where they still live. High prevalence of overweight and obesity and type 2 diabetes had been found in this protracted refugee setting. Scaling up national policy efforts to promote physical activity (PA) is critical to reducing the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the near future. One possible barrier to the inclusion of PA in NCD prevention strategies is the lack of research on PA level, which may reduce political support and policy development for PA. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the PA level among adults living in Sahrawi refugee camps and socioeconomic factors associated with PA. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2014 in five refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria. A total of 180 women and 175 men were included. PA was measured using the international physical activity questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF). Results There was a large amount of variance in reported PA for both genders, ranging from 10 min of total PA per week to above 40 hours. Forty-three percent of the participants had a low PA level (defined as not meeting the PA recommendations of 150 min of moderate to vigorous PA per day). The chi-square test of independence showed that males, those aged ≥ 60 years and people with higher education were more likely to be in the low PA level category. No significant relationship was found between PA level and BMI status. Most of the participants thought that engaging in PA would be wise, valuable, right and good but thought to a lesser degree that PA would be easy, comfortable and interesting. Conclusions Almost half of the participants were categorised as insufficiently physically active, however, most of the Sahrawi refugees express a positive attitude towards PA. PA is a low-cost approach to reducing deaths and NCDs, government initiatives to increase PA levels in refugee camps are advised.

scholarly journals Insufficient Physical Activity Level Among Sahrawi Adults Living in A Protracted Refugee Setting

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eivind Andersen ◽  
Ida Kjellså ◽  
Victoria Telle Hjellset ◽  
Sigrun Henjum
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Refugee Camps ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Western Sahara

Abstract Background: The Sahrawi people fled their homes in 1975 as the conflict in Western Sahara escalated and settled down near Tindouf, Algeria, where they still live. High prevalence of overweight and obesity and a moderate prevalence of diabetes had been found in this protracted refugee setting. Scaling up national policy efforts to promote physical activity (PA) is critical to reducing the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the near future. One possible barrier to the inclusion of PA in NCD prevention strategies is the lack of research on PA level, which may reduce political support and policy development for PA. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the PA level among adults living in Sahrawi refugee camps and socioeconomic factors associated with PA.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2014 in five refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria. A total of 180 women and 175 men were included. PA was measured using the international physical activity questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF).Results: There was a large amount of variance in reported PA for both genders, ranging from 10 min of total PA per week to above 40 hours. Forty-three percent of the participants had a low PA level (defined as not meeting the PA recommendations of 150 min of moderate to vigorous PA per day). The chi-square test of independence showed that males, those aged ≥ 60 years and people with higher education were more likely to be in the low PA level category. No significant relationship was found between PA level and BMI status. Most of the participants thought that engaging in PA would be wise, valuable, right and good but thought to a lesser degree that PA would be easy, comfortable and interesting.Conclusions: Almost half of the participants were categorised as insufficiently physically active, however, most of the Sahrawi refugees express a positive attitude towards PA. PA is a low-cost approach to reducing deaths and NCDs, government initiatives to increase PA levels in refugee camps are advised.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document