Background
Methods
Search strategy and inclusion criteria
Data extraction and analysis
Results
The evidence on physical inactivity
Sources and quality of data
Country | Total number of studies | Data from Reports/Factsheetsa | Data from Journal Articles | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Studies (#) | Sample size/range | Single country studies (#) | Multi-country studies (#) | Sample size/range | Nationally representative studies (#) | Instruments usedb,c | ||
Algeria | 4 | 4102 – 4532 | 1 [118] | 1 [15] | 293 – 4698d | - | Locally Validated Questionnaire [15] | |
Bahrain | 4 | 1 [119] | 1769 | 0 | 142 – 2013 | 1 [122] | WHO Heart and Health Questionnaire [120] | |
Comoros | 3 | 1 [123] | 5556 | 0 | 1492 – 212021d | - | ||
Djibouti | 1e | 1 [124] | 1777 | 0 | 829 – 882 | 1 [58] | ||
Egypt | 12e | 2568 – 5300 | 188 – 3271 | 1 [58] | ||||
Iraq | 3 | 2038 – 4120 | 1 [135] | 0 | 200 | - | - | |
Jordan | 15e | 2197 – 3654 | 209 – 8791 | Locally Validated Questionnaire [15] | ||||
KSA | 48 | 1 [144] | 3547 | 1 [12] | 30 – 197681 | Barriers to Being Active Quiz: CDC website [44] CDC Adolescent Health Survey [27] WHO stepwise questionnaire [166] YRBSS and GSHS Questionnaires [167] | ||
Kuwait | 15 | 2280 – 3637 | 1 [15] | 224 – 38611 | The Exercise Pattern Questionnaire [172] Locally Validated Questionnaire [15] | |||
Lebanon | 13e | 1982 – 2286 | 0 | 83 – 2608 | Self-reported Weekly Activity Checklist [59] | |||
Libya | 5e | 2242 – 3590 | 383 – 1300 | 1 [58] | Locally Validated Questionnaire [15] | |||
Mauritania | 4 | 2063 – 2600 | 0 | 2726 – 212021f | - | |||
Morocco | 6e | 1 [192] | 2924 | 239 – 2891 | 1 [58] | IPAQ [39] | ||
Oman | 7e | 1373 –3468 | 10 – 5409 | WHO Health Behavior in School Children [196] | ||||
Palestine | 11 | 1908 – 6957 | 1 [15] | 16 – 8885 | 1 [202] | MESA [204] Locally Validated Questionnaire [15] | ||
Qatar | 10e | 2021 – 2496 | 0 | 340 – 2467 | 1 [214] | GPAQ [214] | ||
Somalia | 1 | 0 | - | 1 [215] | 0 | 173 | - | - |
Sudan | 3 | 1573 – 2211 | 1 [218] | 0 | 1200 | - | - | |
Syria | 4 | 1 [219] | 3102 | 1 [15] | 1168-2037 | - | Locally Validated Questionnaire [15] | |
Tunisia | 12e | 1 [222] | 2870 | 10 – 17789 | ||||
UAE | 15e | 1 [229] | 2581 | 20 – 9918 | 1 [58] | Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile [47] Locally Validated Questionnaire [15] | ||
Yemen | 1e | 1 [234] | 1175 | 0 | 1 [11] | 568 | 1 [11] | PACE+ [11] |
Prevalence of physical inactivity
Countrya | Year of study | Age range | Sample size | Prevalence of Physical inactivity |
---|---|---|---|---|
National samples | ||||
Comoros | 2011 | 25-64 | 5556 | 20.1 |
Egypt | 2011-2012 | 15-64 | 5300 | 32.1 |
Jordan | 2007 | 18+ | 3654 | 5.2 |
Iraq | 2015 | 18+ | 4120 | 47.0 |
Kuwait | 2014 | 18-69 | 4391 | 62.6 |
Libya | 2009 | 25-64 | 3590 | 43.9 |
Lebanon | 2008 | 25-64 | 1982 | 45.8 |
Palestine | 2010-2011 | 15-64 | 6957 | 46.5 |
Qatar | 2012 | 18-64 | 2496 | 45.9 |
Saudi Arabia | 2005 | 25-64 | 3547 | 67.6 |
Subnational samples | ||||
Algeria | 2003 | 25-64 | 4102 | 40.7 |
Mauritania | 2006 | 25-64 | 1971b | 51.3 |
Sudan | 2005-2006 | 25-64 | 1573 | 86.8 |
Country | First author, year (year of study) | Source | Definition | Instrument | Prevalence (%) | Age range | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National samples | |||||||
Comoros | Guthold, 2008 (2002-2003) | World Health Survey | <600 MET-minutes/week | IPAQ | 2.7 | 18-69 | 1492 |
Jordan | Zindah, 2008 (2004) | Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System | Not engaging in moderate activity (resulting in light sweating, small increases in breathing or heart rate. | NA | 51.8 | 18+ | 710 |
Kuwait | Ahmed, 2013 (2002-2009) | National Nutrition Surveillance Data | No deliberate non-work related exercise outside the home such as walking, running or cycling | NA | 68.4 | 20+ | 32811 |
Al-Zenki, 2012 (2008-2009) | NA | Neither moderately nor very activea | NA | 77.1 | 20+ | 765 | |
Alarouj, 2013 (NA) | NA | Neither moderate nor vigorous physical activitya | NA | 63.0 | 20-65 | 1970 | |
KSA | Al-Baghli, 2008 (2004-2005) | NA | No physical activity or mild physical activity (ordinary housework, walking) | NA | 79.2 | 30+ | 197681 |
Al-Nozha, 2007 (1995-2000) | Coronary Artery Disease in Saudis Study (CADISS) | <600 MET-minutes/week | NA | 96.1 | 30-70 | 17395 | |
Memish, 2014 (2013) | Saudi Health Information Survey | Neither moderate nor vigorous physical activitya | IPAQ | 69.1 | 15+ | 10735 | |
Lebanon | Farah, 2015 (2013-2014) | NA | Neither moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 150 min per week or vigorous intensity physical activity for 75 min at least per week | NA | 76.0 | 40+ | 1515 |
Tohme, 2005 (2003-2004) | NA | Less than 30 min of physical exercise | NA | 40.3 | 30+ | 954 | |
Mauritania | Guthold, 2008 (2002-2003) | World Health Survey | <600 MET-minutes/week | IPAQ | 61.9 | 18-49 | 1492 |
Morocco | El Rhazi, 2011 (2008) | NA | Less than 30 min per day | 38.7 | 18+ | 2620 | |
Najdi, 2011 (2008) | NA | <3METs | IPAQ | 16.5 | 18-99 | 2613 | |
Palestine | Baron-Epel, 2005 (2002-2003) | KAP and EUROCHIS& | Exercising less than once per week for at least 20 consecutive minutesb | NA | 62.8 | 21+ | 1826c |
Tunisia | Guthold, 2008 (2002-2003) | World Health Survey | <600 MET-minutes/week | IPAQ | 14.6 | 18-69 | 4332 |
UAE | Guthold, 2008 (2002-2003) | World Health Survey | <600 MET-minutes/week | IPAQ | 43.2 | 18-69 | 1104 |
Subnational samplesd | |||||||
Bahrain | Al-Mahroos, 2001 (NA) | NA | <1 km walking | WHO Heart and Health Questionnaire | 77.5 | 40-69 | 2013 |
Hamadeh, 2000 (NA) | NA | No exercise | NA | 89.1 | 30-79 | 516 | |
Egypt | Abolfotouh, 2007 (2002-2003) | NA | No non-vigorous physical activity for at least 20 minutes or 3 times per week | NA | 33.8 | 17-25 | 600 |
Kamel, 2013 (2010-2011) | NA | NA | NA | 63.8 | 60+ | 340 | |
Mahfouz, 2014 (2011) | NA | No exercise | NA | 78.3 | NA | 300 | |
Jordan | Centers for Disease, Control, Prevention, 2003 (2002) | Jordan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey | Less than having moderate: activity that caused light sweating and small increases in heart rate or breathing for 30 minutes | NA | 47.4 | 18+ | 8791 |
Mohannad, 2008 (2002) | NA | No activity that caused light sweating and small increases in heart rate or breathing | NA | 58.7 | 40+ | 3083 | |
Kulwicki, 2001 (NA) | NA | No exercise | NA | 22.5 | 17-93 | 209 | |
Madanat, 2006 (2003) | NA | <30 mins of physical activity/week | NA | 81.5 | Mean: 21.1 | 431 | |
KSA | Almurshed, 2009 (2003-2004) | NA | No exercise | NA | 52.0 | 30+ | 50 |
Al-Quaiz, 2009 (2007) | NA | Not practicing in any regular sport and leisure time physical activity | CDC web site questionnaire | 82.4 | 15-80 | 450 | |
Al-Senany, 2015 (NA) | NA | Less than one hour weekly activity | NA | 69.0 | 60-90 | 55 | |
Amin, 2011 (NA) | NA | <600 MET-minutes/week | GPAQ | 48.0 | 18-64 | 2176 | |
Amin, 2014 (NA) | NA | <30 minutes /≥ 5 days/week | GPAQe | 80.0 | 18-78 | 2127 | |
Awadalla, 2004 (2012-2013) | NA | Neither vigorous: >6 METs nor moderate: 3-6 METs | IPAQ (short form) | 58.0 | 17-25 | 1257 | |
Garawi, 2015 (2004-2005) | NA | <600 MET-minutes/week | GPAQ | 67.0 | 15-64 | 4758 | |
Kuwait | Naser Al-Isa, 2011 (NA)f | NA | Not engaging in regular physical activity | NA | 45.0 | NA | 787 |
Lebanon | Al-Tannir, 2008 (2007) | NA | Less than 3 days/week | NA | 44.5 | 18+ | 346 |
Musharrafieh, 2008 (2001) | NA | Physical exercise for <0.5 h/week | NA | 73.6 | Mean: 21.0 | 2013 | |
Tamim, 2003 (2000-2001) | NA | <3 hours/week | NA | 64.3 | Mean: 21.0 | 1964 | |
Mauritania | Guthold, 2008 (2002-2003) | World Health Survey | <600 MET-minutes/week | IPAQ | 61.9 | 18-49 | 2726 |
Palestine | Abdul-Rahim, 2003 (NA) | NA | Occupation-related sedentary-light PA for men AND no exercise for women | NA | 56.2 | 30-65 | 936 |
Abu-Mourad, 2008 (2005) | NA | No home exercise or sports | NA | 78.0 | 18+ | 956 | |
Qatar | Al-Nakeeb, 2015 (NA) | NA | <840 MET-min/week | NA | 50. 8g | Mean= 21.2 | 732 |
Bener, 2004 (2003) | NA | Not walking, cycling at least 30 minutes/day | NA | 55.3 | 25-65 | 1208 | |
Somalia | Ali, 2015 (2013) | NA | <2 hours/week | NA | 33.5 | 18-29 | 173 |
Syria | Al Ali, 2011 (2006) | 2nd Aleppo Household Survey | Less than 15 mins/ week of sport or brisk walking | NA | 82.3 | 25+ | 1168 |
Tunisia | Maatoug, 2009 (2009) | NA | <150 mins/week of moderate level of physical activity | Oxford Health Alliance Community Intervention for Health Project | 44.4 | Mean: 37.9 | 1880 |
UAE | Abdulle, 2006 (2001-2005) | NA | Less than one hour, <3 times per week | NA | 39.4 | 20-75 | 424h |
McIlvenny, 2000 (NA) | NA | No regular exercise | NA | 54.0 | 18-94 | 254 | |
Sabri, 2004 (2001-2002) | NA | < 1 hour/week) of sport | NA | 47.5 | 20-65 | 436 |
Country | Year of study | Age range | Sample size | Total prevalence of physical inactivity |
---|---|---|---|---|
Definition: < 60 mins per day on five or more days during the past seven days | ||||
Iraq | 2012 | 13-15 | 2038 | 80.0 |
Lebanon | 2011 | 13-15 | 2286 | 65.4 |
Mauritania | 2010 | 13-15 | 2063 | 83.7 |
Morocco | 2010 | 13-15 | 2924 | 82.6 |
Palestine (Gaza Strip) | 2010 | 13-15 | 2677 | 75.8 |
Palestine (West Bank) | 2010 | 13-15 | 1908 | 81.7 |
Qatar | 2011 | 13-15 | 2021 | 85.0 |
Sudan | 2012 | 13-15 | 2211 | 89.0 |
Syria | 2010 | 13-15 | 3102 | 84.9 |
UAE | 2010 | 13-15 | 2581 | 72.5 |
Definition: < 60 mins per day on all 7 days during the past 7 days | ||||
Djibouti | 2007 | 13-15 | 1777 | 85.1 |
Egypt | 2006 | 13-15 | 5249 | 90.6 |
Jordan | 2007 | 13-15 | 2197 | 85.6 |
Kuwait | 2015 | 13-17 | 3637 | 84.4 |
Libya | 2007 | 13-15 | 2242 | 83.9 |
Oman | 2015 | 13-17 | 3468 | 88.3 |
Tunisia | 2008 | 13-15 | 2870 | 81.5 |
Yemen | 2008 | 13-15 | 1175 | 84.8 |
Country | First author, year | Source | Definition | Questionnaire used | Prevalence (%) | Age range | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National samples | |||||||
Bahrain | Musaiger, 2014 (2006–2007) | NA | <5days/week of playing sport | NA | 72.1 | 15-18 | 735 |
Egypt | Salazar-Martinez, 2006 (1997) | NA | Not engaged in sports | NA | 62.3 | 11-19 | 1502 |
KSA | AlBuhairan, 2015 (NA) | NA | Complete absence of exercise | YRBSS and the GSHS Questionnairesa | 45.2 | Mean: 15.8 | 12575 |
Oman | Afifi, 2006 (2004) | NA | Engaging in physical activities <once per week, apart from school physical education | 27-item Child Depression Inventory | 66.3 | 14-20 | 5409 |
Palestine | Al Sabbah, 2007 (2003–2004) | Health Behavior in School-aged Children Survey | < 60 minutes/day, <5/7 days per week | WHO international HBSC questionnaire | 80.0 | 12-18 | 8885 |
Tunisia | Nouira, 2014 (2009-2010) | NA | NA | Oxford Health Alliance for community intervention for health | 88.1 | 12-14 | 3987 |
Aounallah-Skhiri, 2012 2005 | NA | < 3 Mets | Locally validated questionnaire | 29.4 | 15-19 | 2870 | |
Subnational sampleb | |||||||
Algeria | Abbes, 2016 (2010-2011) | NA | Not engaged in sports | NA | 92.8 | 6-11 | 293 |
Egypt | Shady, 2015 (NS) | NA | < 4 hours/week | NA | 65.5 | 9-11 | 200 |
Jordan | Haddad, 2009 (NA) | NA | Not very physically nor moderately active | modified Adolescent Wellness Appraisal (AWA) | 4.0 | 12-17 | 530 |
KSA | Al-Hazzaa, 2011 (2009-2010) | Arab Teens Lifestyle Study | <1680 METs-min/week | ATLS | 61.9 | 15-19 | 2908 |
Al-Muhaimeed, 2015 (2012) | NA | Not engaging in sports | NA | 27.3 | 6-10 | 601 | |
Al-Mutairi, 2015 (2013) | NA | No regular exercise | NA | 31.9 | 15-22 | 426 | |
Al-Othman, 2012 (2010) | NA | NAc | NA | 15.7 | 6-17 | 331 | |
Mahfouz, 2011 (2008) | NA | Less than 30 mins of physical exercise during the previous week | CDC Adolescent Health Survey Questionnaire | 34.3 | 11-19 | 1869 | |
Kuwait | Shehab, 2005 (NA) | NA | Only performing normal daily routine with some recreational activities or walking slowly and doing no structured exercise | NA | 71.3 | 10-18 | 400 |
Lebanon | Nasreddine, 2014 (2009) | NA | Based on weekly frequency: Neverd | NA | 32.6 | Mean: 13.06 | 868 |
Palestine | Jildeh, 2011 (2002-2003) | The Health Behavior for School-Aged Children Project (HBSC) | <5 days a week | First Palestinian National Health and Nutrition Survey Questionnaire (2000) | 77.6 | 11-16 | 314 |
Arar, 2009 (NA) | NA | No extra-curricular (EC) physical activities | NA | 43.3 | 9-11 | 180 | |
Sudan | Moukhyer, 2008 (2001) | NA | Not engaging in sports activities | NA | 33.4 | 10-19 | 1200 |
Gender differences in physical inactivity
Socio-demographic and lifestyle determinants
Statistical association with physical inactivity | |||
---|---|---|---|
Positive | Negative | Other associations | |
Agea | Curvilinear [41] | ||
Marital status | |||
Educational levela,b | |||
Employmenta | |||
SESa,c | U shape [83] | ||
Urban residence | |||
Consuming fruits/vegetables | [33] | ||
Smokinga | [225] | ||
Alcohol | [30] | ||
Screen timed | |||
Overweight/ Obesitye | No effect [43] | ||
Chronic medical conditionsa | |||
Parity | [107] |