Physical Activity Levels Among Adults in Uganda: Findings From a Countrywide Cross-Sectional Survey
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Physical Activity and Health
Abstract
Being physically active is associated with lower risk of many noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). We analyzed physical
activity (PA) data collected as part of Uganda’s countrywide NCD risk factor survey conducted in 2014, to describe PA levels in
Uganda. Methods: PA data were collected on the domains of work, travel and leisure. We calculated the percentage of participants
meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) PA recommendations, and the types of intense-specific duration of PA. Prevalence
ratios (PR) were used to identify factors associated with meeting WHO PA recommendations. Results: Of the 3987 participants,
3758 (94.3%) met the WHO PA recommendations. Work-related PA of moderate intensity, and travel-related PA contributed most
to participants’ overall weekly duration of PA, each contributing 49.6% and 25.2% respectively. The median weekly duration of
all moderate-intensity PA was 1470 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] = 540 to 2460). Weekly duration of all vigorous-intensity
PA was low with a median of 0 minutes (IQR = 0 to 1080). The median daily sedentary time was 120 minutes (IQR = 60 to 240).
Factors significantly associated with meeting WHO PA recommendations were body mass index and level of education. Conclusions:
PA levels in Uganda are high, mostly achieved through travel and work-related activities of moderate intensity.
Description
Keywords
WHO physical activity recommendations, Non-communicable diseases, WHO STEPs, Uganda, Africa
Citation
Guwatudde, D., Kirunda, B. E., Wesonga, R., Mutungi, G., Kajjura, R., Kasule, H., ... & Bahendeka, S. K. (2016). Physical activity levels among adults in Uganda: findings from a countrywide cross-sectional survey. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 13(9), 938-945. http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2015-0631