Predictors of moderate and high physical activity among adults in Zambia: Results of a national survey in 2017

Abstract

This study assessed predictors of moderate and high physical activity (PA) among adults in Zambia. Cross-sectional data from 3,835 adults who too part in the “2017 Zambia STEPS survey” were analysed. Findings showed that 19.5%, 13.3% and 67.2% of participants had low, moderate and high PA, respectively. Among men, 12.5% had low, 10.0% moderate and 77.5% high PA and among women, 26.2% had low, 16.5% moderate and 57.2% high PA. In adjusted multinomial regression analysis, younger age and being unemployed increased in both sexes the odds for high PA. Moreover, among men, overweight/obesity was inversely associated with high PA, and among women, higher education and having hypertension were negatively and rural residence, positively associated with high PA. Moreover, among women, rural residence and hypertension were negatively and insufficient vegetable and fruit consumption, positively associated with moderate PA. One in five adult Zambians are physically inactive, and several factors associated with moderate, and high PA were identified.