Addressing physical inactivity in Omani adults: perceptions of public health managers

Abstract

Objective: To explore barriers and solutions to addressing physical inactivity and prolonged sitting in the adult population of Oman. Design: Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews that took place from October 2011 to January 2012. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. Data collection and analysis was an iterative process; later interviews explored emerging themes. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed and continued until data saturation; this occurred by the tenth interviewee. Thematic content analysis was carried out, guided by an ecological model of health behaviour. Setting: Muscat, Oman. Subjects: Ten mid-level public health managers. Results: Barriers for physical inactivity were grouped around four themes: (i) intrapersonal (lack of motivation, awareness and time); (ii) social (norms restricting women's participation in outdoor activity, low value of physical activity); (iii) environment (lack of places to be active, weather); and (iv) policy (ineffective health communication, limited resources). Solutions focused on culturally sensitive interventions at the environment (building sidewalks and exercise facilities) and policy levels (strengthening existing interventions and coordinating actions with relevant sectors). Participants' responses regarding sitting time were similar to, but much more limited than those related to physical inactivity, except for community participation and voluntarism, which were given greater emphasis as possible solutions to reduce sitting time. Conclusions: Given the increasing prevalence of chronic disease in Oman and the Arabian Gulf, urgent action is required to implement gender-relevant public health policies and programmes to address physical inactivity, a key modifiable risk factor. Additionally, research on the determinants of physical inactivity and prolonged sitting time is required to guide policy makers.

Quantity and quality of obesity-related research in Arab countries: assessment and comparative analysis

“…The increased prevalence of obesity in Arab gulf countries seems to be associated with increased prevalence of impaired glucose, hypertension, and dyslipidemia among people in Arab gulf countries [29]. Several published articles from Arab gulf countries have called for national policies to combat and face the escalating problem of obesity and its associated risks [30-33]. Thus, it is not surprising that Arab gulf countries had high obesity-related research productivity.…”

Impediments and Facilitators to Physical Activity and Perceptions of Sedentary Behavior Among Urban Community Residents: The Fair Park Study

“…Exploration of correlates of sedentary behavior among this population is warranted. Mabry et al (27) similarly assessed perceptions of sedentary behavior; however, that study was among a smaller (n = 10) and select sample of public health professionals in Oman. Consistent with our study, participants in Mabry et al’s study also appeared to be unable to distinguish between insufficient physical activity and sedentary behavior, and few factors affecting sitting behavior were described.…”

“…The public health agenda for modifying sedentary behavior as a means to prevent chronic disease is regarded as a new pursuit, with few clinical and population-level guidelines available for adults (28); guidelines for children and adolescents are more prevalent (27,29). Thus, despite the numerous studies linking increased sitting time to higher risks for chronic conditions and premature death, additional research is warranted on how to translate this evidence into public health practice.…”

Descriptive epidemiology of physical activity among Omani adults: the Oman World Health Survey, 2008

“…engagement in physical activity, particularly for women and older adults (1,3,19,20). The findings about regional variations are perhaps the most striking finding, since health-related studies in Oman are usually limited to the national context.…”

“…Evidence indicates that campaigns need to be designed not only to raise awareness about the benefits of physical activity and provide examples of how to overcome common barriers (i.e. limited time, lack of social support) but also to address cultural norms that place a low value on physical activity and restrict women's and girls' participation in physical activity (19). Further research would be useful to identify the best strategies.…”