title: Physical activity levels in Bangladeshi adults: results from STEPS survey 2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Physical inactivity is an established risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCD) and identified as the major public health concern worldwide. However, nationally representative and internationally comparable data on physical activity (PA) are lacking in Bangladesh. The objective of this paper was to determine nationally representative prevalence of PA levels among Bangladeshi adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data, on PA for this paper, were analysed from the NCD risk factors survey 2010 in Bangladesh. A standardized approach known as STEPS (STEPSwise approach to Surveillance for NCD risk factors) was followed for this survey. A total of 9275 adults (aged ≥ 25 years) were interviewed. Data on PA were processed and analysed according to Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) version 2 analysis framework.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of total 9275 respondents 4312 were men and 4963 women with a mean age of 42.4 (±13.5) years. Median MET-minutes of total PA in a typical week was double in rural areas (3360) than urban (1680) areas. The overall country wide prevalence of low PA was 34.5% (95% confidence interval, 33.5-35.5), urban 37.7% (36.3-39.1) and rural 31.6% (30.3-32.9). Women in general were more inactive (women, 53.6% [52.2-55.0], men 15.4% [14.9-17.1]). The main contributions to total PA were from work (urban 47.0%, rural 61.0%), and active commuting (38.0%, 30.0%) domains. Leisure-time PA represented only a small proportion (15.0%, 9.0%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Insufficient physical activity is highly prevalent among the Bangladeshi adult population. Promoting overall PA at leisure-time and commuting considering country context can be feasible options with special attention to the women.
authors.affiliation: WHO Country Office for Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Electronic address: mmzbd82@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moniruzzaman
authors.affiliation: WHO Country Office for Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mostafa Zaman
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Islalm
authors.affiliation: Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: H A M N
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Ahasan
authors.affiliation: Sher-E-Bangla Medical College, Barisal, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kabir
authors.affiliation: Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yasmin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001459:Bangladesh; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014186:Transportation / Q000379:methods; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Bangladeshi adults; Global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ); Metabolic equivalent tasks (MET); Physical activity; Physical inactivity