Sociodemographic Pattern of Physical Activity in the Northwest of Iran: Results of the Pilot Phase of the Azar Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Sedentary lifestyle plays a key role in the emergence of many noncommunicable diseases. Given the importance of physical activity (PA) in population‑based studies, the present study was conducted to investigate the pattern of PA and its correlates in the pilot phase of Azar cohort study.

Methods: In the pilot phase of Azar cohort study, 1236 individuals aged 35–70 years in Khameneh, a city in East Azarbaijan, Iran, were invited to participate in the
study. A total of 952 individuals completed the overall and the PA questionnaire, a response rate of 82%. The PA level was evaluated using the classifed PA questionnaire based on the equivalent metabolic activities. The general linear model was used to determine the factors affecting PA.

Results: The overall mean score of PA was 36.54 (standard deviation = 5.3). In multivariate analysis, after adjustment for sociodemographic variables, total PA score was associated with gender (adjusted β = 0.014, confdence interval [CI] 95% = [0.01–0.82]), occupation (adjusted βs ranged over 0.015–0.059, (CI 95% = 0.01–0.079), level of education (adjusted βs ranged over 0.010–0.018,
CI 95% = 0.001–0.026). In other word, sex (mean ranged over 35.49–36.81), educational level (mean ranged over 35.01–36.73) and occupation status (mean ranged over 34.62–39.62) were predictors of PA (all P < 0.05). This variable could also predict 20% of the variance of the PA.

Conclusions: The current study identifes that gender, occupation and level of education could be factors that influence on PA level in the study population.

Keywords: Cohort study, Iran, physical activity