Different associations of occupational and leisure-time physical activity with the prevalence of hypertension among middle-aged community dwellers in rural Khánh Hòa, Vietnam

• Published in: BMC public health 2023-04, Vol.23 (1)
• Main Authors: Do, An Dang, Pham, Thuy Thi Phuong, Nguyen, Chau Que, Van Hoang, Dong, Fukunaga, Ami, Yamamoto, Shohei, Shrestha, Rachana Manandhar, Phan, Danh Cong, Hachiya, Masahiko, Van Huynh, Dong, Le, Huy Xuan, Do, Hung Thai, Mizoue, Tetsuya, Inoue, Yosuke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antihypertensive drugs; Care and treatment; Complications and side effects; Distribution; Dosage and administration; Exercise; Health aspects; Hypertension; Leisure; Management; Occupational health and safety
• ISSN: 1471-2458; 1471-2458
• DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15631-w

Background In contrast to high-income countries where physical activity (PA), particularly leisure-time PA, has been shown to be protective against hypertension, few studies have been conducted in low- and middle-income countries. We examined the cross-sectional association between PA and hypertension prevalence among rural residents in Vietnam. Methods We used data collected in the baseline survey of a prospective cohort study, among 3000 people aged 40-60 years old residing in rural Khánh Hòa, Vietnam. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure [greater than or equal to] 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure [greater than or equal to] 90 mmHg, or the use of antihypertensive medication. We assessed occupational PA and leisure-time PA using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. A robust Poisson regression model was used to investigate the associations, with adjustment for covariates. Results The prevalence of hypertension was 39.6%. After adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle-related variables, leisure-time PA was positively associated with hypertension prevalence (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.03 per 10 MET-hour/week, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.06). Occupational PA was inversely associated with hypertension prevalence (PR: 0.98 per 50 MET-hour/week, 95% CI = 0.96-0.996). After adjusting for BMI and other health-related variables, the association related to occupational PA became statistically non-significant, while the association related to leisure-time PA remained statistically significant. Conclusion In contrast to previous studies in high-income countries, we found that leisure-time PA was positively associated with hypertension prevalence and occupational PA was associated with a lower hypertension prevalence. This suggests that the association between PA and hypertension might differ depending on the context. Keywords: Occupational physical activity, Leisure-time physical activity, Hypertension, Community dwellers, Prevalence