Epidemiological determinants of the physical activity among the urban community of Ahmedabad, India: A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND: Physical activities (PA) and proper nutrition are the most important measures in preventing lifestyle related disorders. Study was performed to describe the pattern of physical activity and its association with the health problems. METHODS: A cross sectional community based study was carried out in the six zones of Ahmedabad Municipal corporation areas. Information was collected in predesigned and pretested standard proforma by house to house survey. Results- Overall prevalence of physical activity was only 18% while 82% people werephysicallyinactive. Males were more engaged in PA than of Females (26% Vs 10.9%, P<0.0001). People with sedentary occupation were significantly more engaged in PA than moderate activity occupation (19.3% vs. 8.5%, P<0.001). Out of those performing PA, majority were educated up to college (39.3%), married (78.5%), from upper socioeconomic class (44.2%) & consuming 1600- 1900 kcal/day (31.9%). PA was performed daily by 86.5% & once a day by 79.1%. Out of those performing PA, 30.1% had Hypertension (P>0.05), 25.2% had Diabetes (P<0.001) & 44.8% had obesity (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: PA is significantly associated with male gender, education, sedentary occupation, higher SES, high calorie consumption and people with diabetes. Sensitisation of population for lifestyle modification is recommended to curtail modern epidemic of lifestyle related disorders