International Medical Journal Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 283 - 287 , August 2015
283
PUBLIC HEALTH
Leisure Time Physical Activity in Jordan: Knowledge and
Sociodemographic Determinants
Farihan. F. Barghouti1). Madi .T jaghbir1), Nuha. N AbuRmaileh1), Dalia. G Jallad1),
Y. Abd- Qudah2)
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Physical activity is progressively more promoted worldwide as a healthy lifestyle performance. This study aims to
assess knowledge and practice of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among Jordanians and the associated socio-demographic
variables that might affect the awareness and its application.
Study design: Cross-sectional study.
Methods and materials: Analysis of data of the physical activity derived from the national survey; KAP survey: "Knowledge,
Attitudes, and Practices towards Cancer Prevention and Care in Jordan". This survey involved a face-to-face interview of 3196
participants over a 2-month period (January - March) in 2011 that were above the age of 18 from all over Jordan.
Results: A total of 3196 participants were surveyed, the median age was 39 years and 51.5 % of the sample was men. Twelve
and a half percent of the sample was physically active and 55.9% of the participants were aware of the recommended physical
activity level. Physical activity was higher in 65 years old of age and above compared to other age groups (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.493). Females were less active than males (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4-0.63). High school and higher educated participants were more likely to be physically active than the less educated (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.29-2.06). Individuals who are married are less likely to be
active than singles (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.55-0.9). People living in rural areas were more likely to be physically active than those
who live in urban areas (OR 1.54; 95% CI1.15-2.05). Participants who are knowledgeable of exercise recommendations were
more likely to be physically active than those who are not aware of the recommendations (OR 2.55, 95% CI 2-3.24). Participants
in the age group of 51-64 years old were more knowledgeable about recommended physical activity than other age groups (OR
1.66, CI1.28-2.14). Females are more likely to be knowledgeable than males (OR 1.15, CI 1-1.33).
Participants living in the rural areas were more likely to be aware of the recommended physical activity level than residents
of urban areas (OR 1.29, CI1.05-1.59). There was no statistically significant difference with regards to the level of education,
monthly income or marital status in relation to knowledge.
Conclusions: Prevalence of leisure time physical activities among Jordanians is low, although more than fifty percent of
them are aware of the recommended physical activity to remain healthy. This alerts the public health care sector for an intervention to improve leisure time physical activities among Jordanians due to its principal health implications and to have insight
into the factors that influence the practice of leisure time physical activity.
KEY WORDS
leisure-time physical activity, Jordanians, determinant
INTRODUCTION
Physical activity is known to improve the quality of life in all age
groups and to reduce the risk of developing several non-communicable
diseases (NCD), such as: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia
as well as mental health1,2) and even cancer3-5). Currently, NCD are the
leading cause of death worldwide reaching about two-thirds (63%) of all
causes of mortality cases reported on 2008. Several studies demonstrated the rising incidence of NCD in the Middle East6-8). According to the
Jordanian Ministry of Health 2009 annual mortality report, chronic diseases and cancers are estimated to cause 35.9% and 14.6% respectively
of all causes of mortality9). Such a high incidence creates an increasing
economic burden on the government. Thus, it should earn the attention
of epidemiologists and public health sector to study the associated fac-
tors that might impede or promote NCD development.
Experts recommend regular physical activity to achieve its health
promoting benefits. According the latest recommendation of the world
health organization (WHO) and other guidelines such as Healthy People
2010 guidelines advice to practice 30 minutes of moderate physical
activity on most days of the week10).
Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by
skeletal muscles that require energy expenditure. It differs than exercise,
where exercise is a subcategory of physical activity that is planned and
structured that aim to improve physical fitness in general. Other types of
physical activity includes activities such as playing, work related ,
active transportation , house chores and LTPA11).
Different studies showed several determinants such as environmental factors, personal and activity characteristics that might influence
physical practice initiation worldwide12), but few were done to evaluate
Received on May 24, 2013 and accepted on August 5, 2014
1)Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, the University of Jordan
2)School of Medicine, the University of Jordan
Correspondence to: Farihan. F Barghouti
(e-mail: [email protected])
C 2015 Japan Health Sciences University
& Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation