Physical Inactivity among Adult Saudis Attending Primary Health Care Centers: Magnitude, Determinants and Barriers
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- Category: Vol. 79, September 2011
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Physical Inactivity among Adult Saudis Attending Primary Health Care Centers: Magnitude, Determinants and Barriers,OSSAMA A. MOSTAFA, FATEN M.R. ISMAEIL and AHMED S. KHASHABA
Abstract
Aim of Study: To assess the grades and determinants of physical activity and barriers against it among adult Saudis.
Subjects and Methods: A total of 400 adult Saudi were consecutively selected from attendants of primary health care (PHC) centers in Abha City. The validated Arabic version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form has been used to assess physical activity of participants.
Results: Two thirds of participants had low activity (65%), one fourth performed moderate activity (25%), while only 10% of participants had high activity. More than two thirds correctly answered 8-10 questions (69.5%), while 16.5% answered correctly <8 questions and 14% answered all ques-tions correctly. All participants reported having a variable number of barriers against performing physical activities, 28.3% had only one barrier, while 71.8% had two barriers or more. Significant characteristics related to high physical activity were being within the age group 30-44 years, with secondary/diploma levels of education, governmentally em-ployed; and married with high monthly income. Significant characters related to increased number of barriers against physical activity were younger age group, having secondary/ diploma levels of education, unemployment and earning a low monthly income i.e., <5000 Saudi Riyals (SR).
Conclusions: The prevalence of high physical activity among adult Saudis is quite low, especially among females. The main barriers against physical activity are the unavailability of physical activity centers, having no leisure time due to familial commitments, and having no money for practicing physical activity. Significant characters related to high physical activity are being within the age group 30-44 years, with secondary/diploma levels of education, governmentally em-ployed, single with high monthly income (>10,000 SR). Signi-ficant characters related to increased number of barriers against physical activity are being young (19-29 years), having secon-dary/diploma levels of education, unemployment and earning low monthly income (<5000 SR).
Recommendations: Physical activity equipment can be made available at institutions; to encourage different sports and physical activities among school children; to provide the necessary motivation and social encouragement to increase people’s involvement in physical activity; allocating a reserve off-day during which everyone can play his own sports, or attend a gymnasium; advise people to choose a physical activity that they would feel comfortable to perform; and to encourage indoor physical activities.