title: Correlates of physical activity in Morocco.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence of physical activity (PA) and associated variables in the Moroccan adult population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based, May 2008 survey of a representative sample of Moroccan adults. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age was 41.4 years (26.2-56.6). Of the 2613 subjects, 48.1% were women and 58% lived in urban areas. The prevalence of the lowest physically active category was 16.5% overall, 24% in women and 9% in men (p < 0.001). Unemployed (18.6%) and retired individuals (17.9%), housewives (28.2%) and married persons (19.7%) reported lower levels of physical activity. Older age, unemployment or retirement, having high income, and being overweight or obese were the main determinants of low PA levels in men. In women, the main determinants of low PA levels were living in an urban area and being a housewife.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This survey has identified that urbanization and having high income are main determinants of low physical activity in Moroccan adults in a country undergoing economic transition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Faculty of medicine and pharmacy, Fez, Morocco.
authors.forename: Adil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Najdi
authors.forename: Youness
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: El Achhab
authors.forename: Chakib
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nejjari
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Norat
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zidouh
authors.forename: Karima
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: El Rhazi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015981:Epidemiologic Factors; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult