Measurement and prevalence of adult physical activity levels in Arab countries

Murtagh, Elaine; Shalash, Aisha; Martin, Rosemarie A.; Rmeileh, Niveen Abu

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2021.07.010

Cited by 11 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“… 36 On the other hand, a recent review of the assessment of PA prevalence in Arab countries revealed PA prevalence between 34.2 to 96.9% respectively. 37 Similarly, another study in Armenia found that just 78.4% of participants were physically active. 38 The variance in incidence and prevalence rates was due to differences in the instruments used to assess PA as well as the case definition for ‘physically active.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Evaluation of Young Adults’ Physical Activity Status and Perceived Barriers in the Riyadh Region of Saudi Arabia

Bashatah¹,

Qadhi²,

Sadoun³

et al. 2023

JMDH

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Background Physical activity (PA) is any prolonged movement produced by muscular tissues that cause the muscles to exert force. Despite its beneficial effect, it is frequently neglected by individuals. The present study aimed to determine the PA among young adults living in Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi adults living in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia from June to August 2022 through a self-administered online survey. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the PA among participants. The data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS v. 26.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results Among the surveyed adult males were the predominant 67.8% (n= 240). Most of them were young, aged between 24 to 34 years 62.4% (n=221), and 37.6% (n=133) of them were between 35 and 44 years old. The current findings reported that 63% (n=223) of the adults had PA on weekly basis. Walking 45.2% (n=160) followed by bodybuilding 12.7% (n=45) was the most common type of PA identified among adults. The barriers identified for not practicing PA were lack of time 46.9% (n=166). With regard to a sedentary lifestyle, it was reported that 9.55 (SD= 4.887) hours per day are spent sedentary or in a constant sitting. The adults gender ( p =0.046) employment ( p =0.0001) and educational status ( p =0.0001) was significantly associated with the type of PA engaged. Although being a female were shown more sitting behavior than males ( p <0.047), similarly the nationality of the adults (6.67; SD=1.649) ( p <0.001), education ( p =0.028) and monthly household income ( p =0.024) were significantly associated with the overall mean sitting behavior. Conclusion The findings of this study confirmed that Saudi adults yet posing highly sedentary behavior and physical inactivity, despite knowing the harmful outcomes of inactivity. Thus educating individuals about the importance of PA is warranted.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Evaluation of Young Adults’ Physical Activity Status and Perceived Barriers in the Riyadh Region of Saudi Arabia

Bashatah¹,

Qadhi²,

Sadoun³

et al. 2023

JMDH

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“…A previous systematic review conducted on 15 Arab countries located in the Eastern Mediterranean region and Comoros before the COVID-19 pandemic showed that the prevalence of PA ranged between 34.2% and 96.9%. 44 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of physical activity using validated tools among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Eastern Mediterranean region: A systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2022

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Many interventions have been taken around the world to limit the spread of COVID-19. These interventions have affected people’s lifestyles such as physical activity. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of physical activity using validated tools among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Eastern Mediterranean region. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted in October 2021. We searched three electronic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed) for English-language original articles of observational studies (cross-sectional, case–control, and cohort studies) with original data reporting the prevalence of physical activity among adults in 22 countries from EMR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hoy’s risk of Bias tool was applied to assess the biases in individual studies. The result was reported as a percentage for prevalence. A meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effect model with a 95% confidence interval. A total of 363 articles were retrieved. Finally, 15 articles were selected and included in the statistical analysis. The selected studies included 16,585 participants. The result of the meta-analysis showed that the overall physical activity was 51.6% (95% confidence interval: 42.1, 61: p = 0.745). The result of subgroup analysis based on different tools was 60.2%, 39.5%, 36.3%, 39.4%, and 55.2% for Global Physical Activity Questionnaire , The Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire–BREF, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire–short form, respectively. Our study highlights the urgent need for large-scale measurement and reporting of physical activity and the use of standard tools that can allow for the regular assessment and screening of the PA prevalence to support evidence-informed policy and programs development at both national and regional levels.

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“…The questionnaires to be used in the study were reviewed by the experts in the field. Additionally, the validity of questionnaires will be tested using a pilot group of the study population, however, the FFQ and IPAQ have been validated and used in the UAE population in recent studies ( 51 , 52 ). Considering that the data will be collected by trained research assistants across the different states of the UAE, several quality assurance activities will be implemented to ensure consistency and reliability standards of the collected information.…”

Section: Methods and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

The First United Arab Emirates National Representative Birth Cohort Study: Study Protocol

et al. 2022

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BackgroundIn recent years, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has escalated. Evidence suggests that there are strong associations between nutrition in early life and the risk of disease in adulthood. This manuscript describes the study protocol of the First United Arab Emirates National Representative Birth Cohort Study (UAE-BCS), with the objective of investigating nutrition and lifestyle factors in the first 1,000 days of life. The main aims of the study are (1) to address critical issues relating to mother and child nutrition and their effect on growth and development, (2) to profile maternal nutrition, child growth, health, and development outcomes in early life, and (3) to study the associations between these factors among the Emirati population in the UAE.Methods/DesignIn this study, a multidisciplinary team of researchers was established including credible researchers from the UAE, Lebanon, Australia, and the United Kingdom to launch the First United Arab Emirates 3-year birth cohort study. We aim to recruit 260 pregnant Emirati women within their first trimester, which is defined by the study as from 8 to 12 weeks pregnant, from obstetrics and gynecology clinics in the UAE. Participants will be recruited via face-to-face interviews and will receive a total of 11 visits with 1 visit in each trimester of pregnancy and 8 visits after delivery. Maternal data collection includes, socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, maternal psychological state, and blood samples for biochemical analysis. Post-partum, visits will take place when the child is 0.5, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months old, with data collection including infant anthropometric measurements, young child feeding practices, dietary intake, supplement use and the eating environment at home, as well as all maternal data collection described above, apart from blood samples. Additional data collection for the child includes early child developmental assessments taking place at three timepoints: (1) within 2 weeks of birth, (2) at 10–14 months and (3) at 22–26 months of age. Early child developmental assessments for the infant include vision, hearing, cognition, motor skills, social-emotional reactivity, neurodevelopmental, and sleep assessments.DiscussionThe United Arab Emirates Birth Cohort study protocol provides a standardized model of data collection methods for collaboration among the multisectoral teams within the United Arab Emirates to enrich the quality and research efficiency in early nutrition, thereby enhancing the health of mothers, infants, and children.

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Measurement and prevalence of adult physical activity levels in Arab countries

Cited by 11 publications

References 60 publications

Evaluation of Young Adults’ Physical Activity Status and Perceived Barriers in the Riyadh Region of Saudi Arabia

Evaluation of Young Adults’ Physical Activity Status and Perceived Barriers in the Riyadh Region of Saudi Arabia

Prevalence of physical activity using validated tools among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Eastern Mediterranean region: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The First United Arab Emirates National Representative Birth Cohort Study: Study Protocol

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