Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Physical Activity in Overweight and Obese Women: Association with Body Mass Index and Demographic Characteristics

  • Published:
Applied Research in Quality of Life Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of present study was determination of the level of physical activity in overweight and obese women and its association with body mass index and various socio-demographic characteristics. In the present cross-sectional survey, the translated and validated form of International physical activity questionnaire was completed by 300 overweight and obese women from Iran-Tabriz. For each activity level, the MET-time value was calculated. The weight and height of subjects were measured and the BMI was calculated. In addition, subjects were asked to indicate their age, marital and socioeconomic status (including employment, educational status, salaries and material endowments) using a general information questionnaire. The One-way ANOVA, Independent t-test, multiple linear regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Approximately, 45 % of women were physically inactive. Overweight women were more likely to be physically active as compared to obese, while the lowest physical activity rates were observed in older participants. With increasing age, the time spent in vigorous physical activity declined significantly (p-value = 0.004). Physically active women had higher Socio-economic status. The average time spent on vigorous physical activities were significantly more in single than married women (p-value < 0.001). Considering the high level of inactivity among studied women, intensive public health efforts together with providing facilities within neighborhoods, are needed to improve women participation in physical activities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Nozha, M. M., Al-Hazzaa, H. M., Arafah, M. R., Al-Khadra, A., Al-Mazrou, Y. Y., Al-Maatouq, M. A., Khan, N. B., Al-Marzouki, K., Al-Harthi, S. S., Abdullah, M., & Al-Shahid, M. S. (2007). Prevalence of physical activity and inactivity among Saudis aged 30–70 years. A population-based cross-sectional study. Saudi Medical Journal, 28(4), 559–568.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anokye, N. K., Trueman, P., Green, C., Pavey, T. G., & Taylor, R. S. (2012). Physical activity and health related quality of life. BMC Public Health, 12, 624.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asgari, F., Aghajani, H., Haghazali, M., & Heidarian, H. (2009). Non-Communicable diseases risk factors surveillance in Iran. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 38(Suppl), 1119–1122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asheghani-Farahani, A., Tahmasbi, M., Asheri, H., Ashraf, H., Nedjat, S., & Kordi, R. (2011). The Persian, last 7-day, long form of the international physical activity questionnaire: translation and validation study. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, 2(2), 106–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ball, K., Crawford, D., & Owen, N. (2000). Too fat to exercise? Obesity as a barrier to physical activity. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 24, 331–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrons, M. V., & Nahas, M. V. (2001). Health risk behaviors, health status self-assessment and stress perception among industrial workers. Revista de Saúde Pública, 35, 554–563.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brownson, R., Eyler, A. A., King, A. C., Brown, D. R., Shyu, Y. L., & Sallis, J. F. (2000). Patterns and correlates of physical activity among US women 40 years and older. American Journal of Public Health, 90, 264–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burton, N., & Turrell, G. (2000). Occupation, hours worked, and leisure-time physical activity. Preventive Medicine, 31, 673–681.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camoes, M., & Lopes, C. (2008). Factors associated with physical activity in the Portuguese population. Revista de Saúde Pública, 42(2), 208–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (1996). Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/pdf/sgrfull.pdf. Accessed June 14, 2012.

  • Chevan, J. (2008). Demographic determinants of participation in strength training activities among U.S. Adults. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 22(2), 553–558.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, K. M., Bilbrew, D., Dubbert, P. M., Kerr, K., & Kirchner, K. (2001). Health barriers to walking for exercise in elderly primary care. Geriatric Nursing, 22(suppl 5), 258–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dias-da-Costa, J. S., Hallal, P. C., Wells, J. C., Daltoé, T., Fuchs, S. C., Menezes, A. M., & Olinto, M. T. (2005). Epidemiology of leisure-time physical activity: a population-based study in southern Brazil. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 21(1), 275–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grundy, S. M., Blackburn, G., Higins, M., Lauer, H., Perri, M. G., & Ryan, D. (1999). Roundtable consensus statement: physical activity in the prevention and treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31, S502–S508.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guidelines for Data Processing and Analysis of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short and Long Forms. (2005). Available at: http://www.ipaq.ki.se. Access date: June 14, 2012.

  • Hallal, P. C., Victora, C. G., Wells, J. C. K., & Lima, R. C. (2003). Physical inactivity: prevalence and associated variables in Brazilian adults. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38, 1894–1900.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez, B., de Haene, J., Barquera, S., et al. (2003). Factors associated with physical activity among Mexican women of child bearing age. Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública, 14(4), 235–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kandula, N. R., & Lauderdale, D. S. (2005). Leisure time, non-leisure time, and occupational physical activity in Asian Americans. Annals of Epidemiology, 15(4), 257–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, A. C., Kiernan, M., Ahn, D. K., & Wilcox, S. (1998). The effects of marital transitions on changes in physical activity: results from a 10- year community study. Annals of Behaviour Medicine, 20, 64–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, S., Lowry, R., Brown, D. R., & Dietz, W. H. (2003). Physical activity and body mass index among US adolescents: youth risk behavior survey, 1999. Archive of Pediatric and Adolescence Medicine, 157, 816–820.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacDougall, C., Cooke, R., Owen, N., Willson, K., & Bauman, A. (1997). Relating physical activity to health status, social connections and community facilities. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 21, 631–637.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macera, C. A., Croft, J. B., Brown, D. R., Ferguson, J. E., & Lane, M. J. (1995). Predictors of adopting leisure-time physical activity among a biracial community cohort. American Journal of Epidemiology, 142, 629–635.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maffeis, C. (2000). Aetiology of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. European Journal of Pediatrics, 159(suppl 1), S35–S44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, S., Morrow, B., Jackson, J., & Dunn, A. (2000). Variables related to meeting the CDC/ACSM physical activity guidelines. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32, 2087–2092.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parkes, K. R. (2006). Physical activity and self-rated health: interactive effects of activity in work and leisure domains. British Journal of Health Psychology, 11(Pt 3), 533–550.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pate, R. R., Pratt, M., Blair, S. N., Haskell, W. L., Macera, C. A., Bouchard, C., et al. (1995). Physical activity and public health: a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine. Journal of American Medical Association, 273, 402–407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pitsavos, C., Panagiotakos, D. B., Lentzas, Y., & Stefanadis, C. (2005). Epidemiology of leisure-time physical activity in socio-demographic, lifestyle and psychological characteristics of men and women in Greece: the ATTICA Study. BMC Public Health, 5, 37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riddoch, C. J., Bo Andersen, L., Wedderkopp, N., Harro, M., Klasson-Heggebo, L., Sardinha, L. B., et al. (2004). Physical activity levels and patterns of 9- and 15-yr-old European children. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercises, 36, 86–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross, R., & Janssen, I. (2001). Physical activity, total and regional obesity: dose–response considerations. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33, S521–S527.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross, R., Dagnone, D., Jones, P., Smith, H., Paddags, A., Hudson, R., & Janssen, I. (2000a). Reduction in obesity and related comorbid conditions after diet-induced weight loss or exercise-induced weight loss in men: a randomized controlled trail. Annual of Internal Medicine, 133, 92–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross, R., Freeman, J. A., & Janssen, I. (2000b). Exercise alone is an effective strategy for reducing obesity and related comorbidities. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 28, 65–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samir, N., Mahmud, S., & Khuwaja, A. (2011). Prevalence of physical inactivity and barriers to physical activity among obese attendants at a community health-care center in Karachi, Pakistan. BMC Research Notes, 4, 174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schnohr, C., Hojbjerre, L., Riegels, M., Ledet, L., Larsen, T., Schultz-Larsen, K., Petersen, L., Prescott, E., & Gronbaek, M. (2004). Does educational level influence the effects of smoking, alcohol, physical activity, and obesity on mortality? A prospective population study. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 32, 250–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schutzer, K. A., & Graves, B. S. (2004). Barriers and motivations to exercise in older adults. Preventive Medicine, 39, 1056–1106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seabra, A. F., Mendonca, D. M., Thomis, M. A., Anjos, L. A., & Maia, J. A. (2008). Biological and socio-cultural determinants of physical activity in adolescents. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 24(4), 721–736.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheikholeslam, R., Mohamad, A., Mohammad, K., & Vaseghi, S. (2004). Non communicable disease risk factors in Iran. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 13(Suppl), S100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinbeck, K. S. (2001). The importance of physical activity in the prevention of overweight and obesity in childhood: a review and an opinion. Obesity Reviews, 2, 117–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taymoori, P., Rhodes, R., & Berry, T. (2010). Application of a social cognitive model in explaining physical activity in Iranian female adolescents. Health Education Research, 25(2), 257–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • US Department of Health and Human Services. (1999). Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vuillemin, A., Boini, S., Bertrais, S., Tessier, S., Oppert, J. M., Hercberg, S., Guillemin, F., & Briançon, S. (2005). Leisure time physical activity and health-related quality of life. Preventive Medicine, 41(2), 562–569.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2003a). Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. Report no. 0512–3054. Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (2003b). Annual Global Move for Health Initiative; A Concept Paper. Geneva: Noncommunicable Diseases Prevention and Health Promotion.

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the research vise-chancellor of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences for its financial supports and all the women who participate in this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutrition Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Reza Mahdavi & Alireza Ostadrahimi

  2. Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Zeinab Nikniaz

  3. Nutrition Faculty, Tabriz university of medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Leila Nikniaz

Authors
  1. Reza Mahdavi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zeinab Nikniaz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alireza Ostadrahimi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Leila Nikniaz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zeinab Nikniaz.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mahdavi, R., Nikniaz, Z., Ostadrahimi, A. et al. Physical Activity in Overweight and Obese Women: Association with Body Mass Index and Demographic Characteristics. Applied Research Quality Life 9, 887–896 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-013-9275-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-013-9275-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation