Lifestyles of adult Omani women : cross-sectional study on physical activity and sedentary behaviour

• Published in: Sultan Qaboos University medical journal 2015-05, Vol.15 (2), p.257-265
• Main Authors: Al-Habsi, Azza, Kilani, Hashem
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adult; Clinical & Basic Research; Exercise for women; lifestyle; Lifestyles; oman; physical activity; sedentary lifestyle; women; أنماط الحياة
• ISSN: 2075-051X; 2075-0528

This study aimed to investigate the lifestyles of adult Omani women with regards to physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary behaviour (SB). Methods: The study was carried out between May and June 2013 and included a total of 277 healthy women aged 18–48 years from five governorates in Oman. Total, moderate and vigorous PA levels and walking were self-reported by participants using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. SB (total sitting time and different types of sitting time) was self-reported using the Domain- Specific Sitting Time Questionnaire on both working and non-working days. PA levels and SB were also objectively measured among 86 of the participants using an accelerometer. Results: The self-reported median ± interquartile range (IQR) total PA was 1,516 ± 3,392 metabolic equivalent of task minutes/week. The self-reported median ± IQR total sitting time was 433 ± 323 minutes/day and 470 ± 423 minutes/day for working and non-working days, respectively. Sitting at work on working days and sitting during leisure activities on non-working days formed the greatest proportion of total sitting time. Overall, accelerometer results indicated that participants spent 62% of their time involved in SB, 35% in light PA and only 3% in moderate to vigorous PA. Conclusion: Sedentary lifestyles were common among the adult Omani women studied. Lack of PA and increased SB is known to increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and obesity. The use of accelerometers to monitor PA and SB among different groups in Oman is highly recommended in order to accurately assess the lifestyle risks of this population. الهدف : هدفت الدراسة إلى البحث في أساليب حياة المرأة العمانية المتعلقة بمستويات النشاط البدني (PA) و السلوك الخامل (SB). الطريقة : أجريت الدراسة في الفترة ما بين شهري مايو و يونيو 2013 و شملت ما مجموعه (277) امرأة سليمة تتراوح أعمارهن بين 48-18 عاما من خمس محافظات بسلطنة عمان. تم التحقق من مستويات النشاط البدني الإجمالية، المعتدلة و المرتفعة الشدة إضافة إلى المشي للمشاركات بواسطة الاستبانة القصيرة الدولية المعبئة ذاتيا لقياس مستوى النشاط البدني. تم قياس مستوى السلوك الخامل (إجمالي أوقات الجلوس و أوقات الجلوس للأنماط المختلفة للجلوس) بواسطة استبيان الأوقات الخاصة بالجلوس المعبأ ذاتيا لكل من أيام العمل و أيام غير العمل. كذلك تم قياس مستوى النشاط البدني و السلوك الخامل بموضوعية بواسطة استخدام أجهزة التسارع لعدد (86) مشاركة من عينة الدراسة. النتائج : كان إجمالي متوسط ± النطاقات الربعية للنشاط البدني المخبر عنه ذاتيا (3.392 ± 1.516) Met دق