Physical inactivity is significantly more prevalent in Muslim-majority countries compared to non-Muslim countries, largely driven by high rates among Arab women, highlighting a need for culturally tailored public health interventions.
OBJECTIVE: Physical inactivity surveillance informs policy and treatment options toward meeting the World Health Organization's (WHO) goal of a 10% reduction in its prevalence by 2025. We currently do not know the aggregate prevalence for Muslim-majority countries, many of which have extremely high rates of comorbidities associated with physical inactivity. METHOD: Based on data for 163, 556 persons in 38 Muslim countries that were collected by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, unweighted and weighted physical inactivity prevalence estimates were calculated. I used two-proportion Z tests to determine gender and ethnic differences within the sample and between the sample and 94 non-Muslim countries and odds ratios to determine the magnitude of significant differences. RESULTS: Total physical inactivity prevalence was 32.3% (95% CI: 31.9, 32.7). Prevalence among males and females was 28.8% and 35.5%, respectively. Prevalence among non-Arabs and Arabs was 28.6% and 43.7%, respectively. Females and Arabs were more likely physically inactive than their respective counterparts OR = 1.36 (1.33, 1.39) and OR = 1.94 (1.90, 1.98). Muslim countries were more likely physically inactive OR = 1.23 (1.22, 1.25) than non-Muslim ones, which was primarily due to the influence of Arabs OR = 2.01 (1.97, 2.04), and in particular female Arabs OR = 2.22 (2.17, 2.27). CONCLUSION: Physical inactivity prevalence in the Muslim world is higher than non-Muslim countries and the difference is primarily due to higher rates among Arabs.
David Kahan (Thu,) studied this question.