title: Physical activity in 22 African countries: results from the World Health Organization STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Baseline physical activity data are needed to effectively plan programs and policies to prevent noncommunicable diseases, but for many African countries these data are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe and compare levels and patterns of physical activity among adults across 22 African countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 57,038 individuals from 22 countries (11 national and 11 subnational samples) that participated in the STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance (2003-2009) were analyzed in 2010. The validated Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to assess days and duration of physical activity at work, for transport, and during leisure time in a typical week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 83.8% of men and 75.7% of women met WHO physical activity recommendations (at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week or equivalent). Country prevalence ranged from 46.8% (Mali) to 96.0% (Mozambique). Physical activity, both at work and for transport, including walking, had large contributions to overall physical activity, while physical activity during leisure time was rare in the analyzed countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical activity levels varied greatly across African countries and population subgroups. Leisure time activity was consistently low. These data will be useful to inform policymakers and to guide interventions to promote physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland. gutholdr@who.int
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guthold
authors.forename: Sidi A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Louazani
authors.forename: Leanne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: Melanie J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cowan
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bovet
authors.forename: Albertino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Damasceno
authors.forename: Boureima Hama
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Sambo
authors.forename: Fikru
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tesfaye
authors.forename: Timothy P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Armstrong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014186:Transportation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014944:World Health Organization