Prevalence of physical inactivity in Iran: a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Physical inactivity is one of the most important risk factors for chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and stroke. We aim to conduct a systematic review of the prevalence of physical inactivity in Iran. Methods: We searched international databases; ISI, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and national databases Irandoc, Barakat knowledge network system, and Scientific Information Database (SID). We collected data for outcome measures of prevalence of physical inactivity by sex, age, province, and year. Quality assessment and data extraction has been conducted independently by two independent research experts. There were no limitations for time and language. Results: We analyzed data for prevalence of physical inactivity in Iranian population. According to our search strategy we found 254 records; of them 185 were from international databases and the remaining 69 were obtained from national databases after refining the data, 34 articles that met eligible criteria remained for data extraction. From them respectively; 9, 20, 2 and 3 studies were at national, provincial, regional and local levels. The estimates for inactivity ranged from approximately 30% to almost 70% and had considerable variation between sexes and studied sub-groups. Conclusion: In Iran, most of studies reported high prevalence of physical inactivity. Our findings reveal a heterogeneity of reported values, often from differences in study design, measurement tools and methods, different target groups and sub-population sampling. These data do not provide the possibility of aggregation of data for a comprehensive inference.

Estimating the Frequency of Risk Factors and the 10-Year Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Diseases in Middle-aged Population in Kerman, Iran

“…Most of these unhealthy behaviors were more prevalent in women than in men. A systematic review of the prevalence of physical activity estimated 30% to 70% of the Iranian population had an inadequate level of physical activity and significant differences existed according to the gender and studied sub-groups (25). A national survey in 2011 estimated the prevalence of inadequate physical activity as 44.8% in the Iranian population.…”

Factors Affecting Physical Activity Behavior Among Women in Kerman Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)

“…Despite the enormous benefits of physical activity, a high percentage of adults do not engage enough in physical activity (4). Based on a systematic review conducted in 2016 in Iran, 30% to 70% of the population of Iran had low mobility or was inactive (5). In order to design effective health promotion strategies to change the behavior of physical activity and the complexity of this behavior, we need to understand better factors affecting our physical activity (2,6).…”

Prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in Yazd inner-city municipalities

“…42.6% in municipality 1 vs. 64.4% in municipality 2). Inadequate physical activity in some areas is remarkably lower than the country average [32]. Physical inactivity in Yazd is more common than Kerman and the national average, although the findings of a previous study in Tehran and Yazd show a lower level.…”