Only 1 in 3 women in Iraqi city meet activity guidelines, study finds
A survey of 540 women in Erbil reveals a public health gap: just 31.5% meet physical activity recommendations, with city dwellers significantly less active than rural residents. The finding signals untapped demand for accessible fitness options and highlights how urbanization may be reducing natural activity levels in a region with limited health data.
Originaltitel: Prevalence and determinants of physical activity, leisure exercise, and sedentary behavior in women in Erbil: cross-sectional findings
Physical activity is vital for preventing chronic diseases and promoting well-being, yet data on women’s activity levels in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of physical activity, leisure-time exercise, and sedentary behavior among a sample of women in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 540 women in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, from November 7, 2022, to February 22, 2023. Participants completed a validated Kurdish translation of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire to measure physical activity domains and sedentary time. Overall, 31.5% (95% CI 27.6–35.4) met physical activity guidelines, with a significantly higher prevalence among non-manual/manual employees versus professionals (40.7% vs. 23.3%, P = 0.006) and among women outside the city center versus inside (52.1% vs. 29.5%, P = 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that women residing outside the city center were significantly more likely to meet guidelines than city residents (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.4–4.7, P = 0.002). Only 14.8% (95% CI 11.8–17.8) engaged in regular leisure-time exercise, with no significant sociodemographic associations in univariate analysis; however, multivariable analysis showed that women with postgraduate studies were significantly more likely to engage in sufficient leisure-time exercise compared to those with high school and below education (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.3–6.8, P = 0.009). High sedentary behavior (≥ 8 h/day) was reported by 33.1% (95% CI 29.2–37.1), significantly (P < 0.001) higher among younger (41.2%), single (47.3%), less educated (45.2%), and students (52.8%). Multivariable analysis showed that single women were significantly more likely to exhibit high sedentary behavior than ever-married women (aOR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.9–4.4, P < 0.001). This study revealed notably low levels of physical activity among the participating women, particularly in regular leisure-time exercise, and a high prevalence of sedentary behavior. The results suggest that culturally tailored strategies to promote active lifestyles among middle-aged and older women, as well as targeted interventions to reduce sedentary time, particularly among students, may be beneficial.