Factors associated with changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviour during one year among university-based young adults

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify correlates of changes in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) among university-based young adults in Bangladesh. Data were from a 1-year prospective study with 2 assessment points (baseline n ​= ​573, 20.7 ​± ​1.35 years, 45% female; retention rate 69%, analytical sample ​= ​395). Participants completed a self-administered written survey on PA, SB, health and lifestyle behaviours, and sociodemographics. Changes in PA were categorised as: negligible (± < 60 ​min/week), > 60 ​min/week decrease, or > 60 ​min/week increase. Changes in SB were categorised as negligible (± < 120 ​min/week), > 120 ​min/week decrease, and > 120 ​min/week increase. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to identify the correlates. About quarters (72%) of participants had insufficient PA at both assessment points. Of those who were sufficiently active at Wave 1, 5% became insufficiently active at Wave 2. One quarter of participants (23%) had high SB at Wave 1 and Wave 2. Of those who had low SB at Wave 1, 16% had high SB at Wave 2. Being male [OR ​= ​2.04 (95% CI: 1.06-3.93)], baseline phone time of > 2 h/day [OR ​= ​3.14 (95% CI: 1.04-7.04)] and not participating in organised sports at baseline [OR ​= ​2.56 (95% CI: 1.24-5.29) were associated with a decrease in PA by ​> ​60 ​min/week. Participants who frequently experienced stress at baseline had higher odds of increasing SB by ​> ​120 min/day [OR ​= ​1.83 (95% CI: 1.04-3.23)]. SB is more variable than PA over 1 year in university-based young adults in Bangladesh. Males, those with high phone time, those not engaging with organised sports, and those with frequent stress may change to a more inactive lifestyle.

Keywords

Developing country / Health behaviour / Health promotion / Longitudinal data / South Asia / University student

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This research was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship awarded to RU. The authors would like to thank the participating students, and the class lecturers who helped access the students at their classroom. The authors also would like to acknowledge the support of the authorities of the participating institutions for allowing their students to participate in the survey. The second author (NWB) was with The University of Queensland School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences when the study was conceived, designed and data were collected.