Prevalence and associated factors of different levels of physical activity in a national survey of adults in Laos

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of different levels of physical activity (PA) among adults aged 18 to 64 years in a national community-based survey in Laos. This cross-sectional study involved 2,543 adults who responded to the “Global Physical Activity Questionnaire”, health examination and biochemistry tests in 2013. The participants’ PA levels were low (13.0%), moderate (21.8%) and high (65.2%), respectively. Multinomial regression analysis indicates that PA decreased with age in both sexes. Among women, living in urban areas, had secondary or more education, and were Lao-Tai had a lower odds for high PA. Low PA was uncommon in the travel and work-related PA domains. In order to still increase PA in this population’s leisure-time PA, women and urban residents may be targeted.

Keywords: Levels of physical activity, social variables, health risk behaviour, chronic conditions, Laos