PHYSICAL ACTIVITY STATUS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES AMONG ADULT POPULATION OF SOUTH PUNJAB

Abstract

Despite well-appreciated benefits of physical activity (PA), a huge number of
people do not indulge in sufficient PA, which is a well-known risk factor of the
leading non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes,
hypertension, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The study aimed to assess
PA status and its association with NCDs among adult population of south
Punjab. The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted. A total of 385
adults of both genders, and residents of South Punjab were enrolled by cluster
random sampling. The total of 385 participants, majority of the cases were
very young (18 – 25) years and the median age was 24.0 years. The frequency
of males was three times higher than females (77.1 % vs. 22.9 %). HTN was
found in 4.9 % participants, DM in 7.5 %, hypercholesterolemia in 6.0 %, and
CVD in 3.1 %. The frequency of individuals reporting work related PA of
vigorous intensity was 22.9 %, work related PA of moderate intensity was 51.9
%, leisure time PA of vigorous-intensity was 21.6 %, leisure time PA of
moderate intensity was 46.5 %, and travel related PA was 70.9 %. Gender
male, urban residence, being married, no formal education, and being
employed were significantly related with HTN. Similarly, being married,
occupation homemaker, and travelling through personal car were significantly
related with DM. Differently gender male, rural residence, being married,
higher education, occupation homemaker, and smoking were significantly
related with hypercholesterolemia. Furthermore, being married, occupation
homemaker, and traveling through personal bike were significantly related
with CVD. It was concluded that those having any kind of PA at work or
during sports or even using bicycle or walk as activity had minimum chances
of any NCDs like HTN, DM, CVD or hypercholesterolemia and being
physically active also causes to avoid obesity, which is base for many NCDs.