title: Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of physical activity levels among South African adults in Cape Town and Mount Frere communities in 2008-2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical activity has been linked to reduced risk of various cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and premature mortality. We investigated the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of physical activity among adults in urban and rural communities in South Africa. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey comprising 1733 adults aged ≥35 years from the Cape Town (urban) and Mount Frere (rural) sites of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study. Physical activity was assessed using the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to relate physical activity with socio-demographic characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 74% of participants engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. In the adjusted regression models, women were 34% less likely to engage in vigorous physical activity (OR =0.66, 95%-CI = 0.47-0.93). Physical activity decreased with age, varied with marital status, education and occupation, always in differential ways between urban and rural participants (all interactionsp≤ 0.047). For instance, in urban settings, those with secondary education were more likely to engage in moderate physical activity (OR = 2.06, 95%-CI = 1.08-3.92) than those with tertiary education. Single people were more likely to engage in high physical activity (OR = 2.10, 95%-CI = 1.03-4.28) than divorced. Overall, skilled participants were more likely to engage in vigorous physical activity (OR = 2.07, 95%-CI = 1.41-3.05) driven by significant effect in rural area (OR = 2.70, 95%-CI = 1.51-4.83). Urban participants were more likely to engage in moderate physical activity (OR = 1.67, 95%-CI = 1.31-2.13) than rural participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To prevent chronic diseases among South Africans, attention should be paid to specific policies and interventions aimed at promoting PA among young adults in rural and urban setting, and across the social-economic diversity.
authors.affiliation: University of Western Cape, School of Public Health, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535 South Africa.
authors.forename: Pasmore
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malambo
authors.affiliation: Non-communicable disease Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Parowvallei, P.O. Box 19070, 7505 Tygerberg, Cape Town South Africa.
authors.forename: Andre P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Kengne
authors.affiliation: Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, P.O. Box 115, Newlands, 7725 Cape Town South Africa.
authors.forename: Estelle V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.affiliation: Non-communicable disease Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Parowvallei, P.O. Box 19070, 7505 Tygerberg, Cape Town South Africa.
authors.forename: Anniza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Villiers
authors.affiliation: University of Western Cape, School of Public Health, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535 South Africa.
authors.forename: Thandi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Puoane
keywords: Adult; Determinants; Non-communicable diseases; Physical activity; Rural; Socio-demography; South Africa; Urban