Physical Inactivity and Related Factors in an Adult Tehranian Population (Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study)

Physical activities represent an independent risk factor for a number of chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess physical inactivity in a sample of Tehranian adults. We selected 7285 TLGS participants (≥ 20 years), who had completed physical activity questionnaires between 2002-2004. Leisure time physical activity level was assessed using the modifiable Activity Questionnaire (MAQ), with each activity being weighted by its relative intensity, referred to as a Metabolic Equivalent (MET). Subjects were asked to report the activities they had participated in during past 12 months and to estimate the frequency and duration for each leisure time activity indentified and were categorized into the active and inactive groups. The overall prevalence of inactivity was 69.8% and only 30.2% (95%CI=27.2-33.1%) of males and 30.3% (95%CI=27.7-32.8%) of females were considered active. In males, the prevalence of inactivity increased with age and the highest rate of physical inactivity was observed in the 40-49 year group. There was a statistically significant decrease in leisure time physical activity level (LTPA) with increasing body mass index, and smoking and hours of work. A positive association was observed between LTPA and high educational levels in males. Moreover, a statistically significant difference was found between the physical activity and occupations between men and women (p<0.05). Findings of the present study showed that a high prevalence of physical inactivity among Tehranian adults, raising concerns about public health, and necessitating health policies encouraging the population to be more active.