Self-reported physical activity and its correlates among adult women in the expanded part of Thiruvananthapuram City, India

• Main Authors: Elezebeth Mathews, Michael Pratt, Vinoda Thulaseedharan Jissa, Kavumpurathu Raman Thankappan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Public Health
• Subjects: Community-based research; correlates; Kerala; physical activity (PA) prevalence; women
• Online Access: http://www.ijph.in/article.asp?issn=0019-557X;year=2015;volume=59;issue=2;spage=136;epage=140;aulast=Mathews
• ISSN: 0019-557X

Data on correlates of physical activity (PA) are limited in India. This study estimated the prevalence and correlates of PA among women. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1303 women (mean age 45 years) selected by multistage cluster sampling. Information was collected using a pretested interview schedule. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the correlates of PA. Self-reported moderate or high level PA prevalence was 73.4% [95% confidence interval (CI); 71.1-75.9]. Women who perceived themselves as being underweight [odds ratio (OR) 3.68: 1.97-6.74]; had an exercising member in the household (OR 3.41: 2.52-4.66); had access to exercise facilities (OR 2.17: 1.63-2.95); were married (OR 2.14: 1.40-3.25), were in the age group of 35-54 years (OR 1.91: 1.32-2.63); reported having knowledge about the benefits of PA (OR 1.62: 1.13-2.25); and who reported having the support of friends and neighbors (OR 1.42: 1.05-2.01) were more likely to report PA than their counterparts.