Prevalence and determinants of physical activity, leisure exercise, and sedentary behavior in women in Erbil: cross-sectional findings

Physical activity is vital for preventing chronic diseases and promoting well-being, yet data on women’s activity levels in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of physical activity, leisure-time exercise, and sedentary behavior among a sample of women in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 540 women in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, from November 7, 2022, to February 22, 2023. Participants completed a validated Kurdish translation of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire to measure physical activity domains and sedentary time. Overall, 31.5% (95% CI 27.6–35.4) met physical activity guidelines, with a significantly higher prevalence among non-manual/manual employees versus professionals (40.7% vs. 23.3%, P = 0.006) and among women outside the city center versus inside (52.1% vs. 29.5%, P = 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that women residing outside the city center were significantly more likely to meet guidelines than city residents (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.4–4.7, P = 0.002). Only 14.8% (95% CI 11.8–17.8) engaged in regular leisure-time exercise, with no significant sociodemographic associations in univariate analysis; however, multivariable analysis showed that women with postgraduate studies were significantly more likely to engage in sufficient leisure-time exercise compared to those with high school and below education (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.3–6.8, P = 0.009). High sedentary behavior (≥ 8 h/day) was reported by 33.1% (95% CI 29.2–37.1), significantly (P < 0.001) higher among younger (41.2%), single (47.3%), less educated (45.2%), and students (52.8%). Multivariable analysis showed that single women were significantly more likely to exhibit high sedentary behavior than ever-married women (aOR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.9–4.4, P < 0.001). This study revealed notably low levels of physical activity among the participating women, particularly in regular leisure-time exercise, and a high prevalence of sedentary behavior. The results suggest that culturally tailored strategies to promote active lifestyles among middle-aged and older women, as well as targeted interventions to reduce sedentary time, particularly among students, may be beneficial.