Prevalence and associated factors of insufficient physical activity among elderly people in Bangladesh: a nationally representative cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesInsufficient physical activity (IPA) is a crucial risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The elderly population has a higher likelihood of suffering from NCDs. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with IPA among the elderly people in Bangladesh.MethodsWe analysed data from the Bangladesh Food Security and Nutrition Surveillance round 2018–2019, collected from 82 rural, non-slum urban and slum clusters selected using multistage cluster sampling. IPA was defined as <150 min of moderate intensity or <75 min of vigorous intensity or equivalent in a typical week. The weighted prevalence of IPA was estimated by gender and across different variables. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated using Poisson regression with robust variance.ResultsThe weighted prevalence of IPA among elderly people was 38.4%, with a slightly higher prevalence in women (39.7% vs 37.3%). Factors associated with higher prevalence of IPA in both sexes were—higher age, living in non-slum urban areas, unemployed or homemaker, not currently married, sedentary behaviour and self-reported hypertension. Further, >10 years of education, inadequate fruits and vegetable consumption, self-reported asthma and higher waist circumference among men; and higher household income and self-reported diabetes among women were associated with a higher prevalence of IPA.ConclusionsIPA is highly prevalent among Bangladeshi elderly men and women. Sedentary behaviour, inadequate fruits and vegetable consumption and higher waist circumference were the modifiable factors of IPA. Evidence from this study can guide the development of appropriate interventions to promote healthy ageing in Bangladesh.

Prevalence, trends, and inequality in noncommunicable diseases in Bangladesh: Evidence from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys 2011 and 2017–2018

“…Another prominent factor for overweight is physical inactivity [19]. The level of physical inactivity in Bangladesh is unclear, a scoping review indicated a range between 5% and 83% [20], whereas a corresponding figure for the elderly is 40% [21]. However, a modern lifestyle is associated with increased sedentary behavior and is expected to contribute to the rising prevalence of overweight in Bangladesh.…”

Differential Factors Are Associated with Physical Activity in Older Adults in Brazil with and without Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the 2019 National Health Survey

“…The differences observed in the literature [15,19,20] indicate that the older adults population still presents low levels of physical activity due to aging [11], which can create greater barriers for people living with NCD. Considering that these factors may remain interconnected with social inequality seen in different regions of Brazil [21], as well as access to healthcare services [19] and differences in race, education, and economic level, show significant relationships with the presence or worsening of NCD [18], causing difficulties for physical activity practice in these individuals, in addition to the limitations already present due to NCD.…”

“…Therefore, regular physical activity is associated with multiple health benefits, such as improved physical and mental function, prevention and reduction in the progression of NCD, increased years of life, and better quality of life [7][8][9][10], although these levels of physical activity tend to decrease with advancing age as it is a natural process [11].…”