ABSTRACT

Physical activity (PA) is a key requirement for maintaining good health and one of the nine global targets to improve the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases. This study was aimed to assess the physical activity and anthropometric status of adults in Amaoba, Ikwuano LGA, Abia state. Questionnaires which included socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity and anthropometric measurements were administered to 429 adults in 5 randomly selected villages in Amaoba. Data was analyzed using Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. Significance was judged at p<0.05 using the Statistical Package for Socials Sciences, SPSS version 21. The result showed more males (57.7%) than females (42.3%) participated in the study. More (59.2%) were between 20 – 30 yearsof age, some (21.9%) between 31 – 40 years and few (6.5%, 5.6%, 3.7%, 3.0%) are between 41 - 50 years, 51 - 60 years, 61 - 70 years and 71 years and above respectively. Many (57.8%) were single and some (42.2%) were married. Some (47.1% and 44.1%) had tertiary and secondary educational status respectively while few 3.5% and 5.4% had primary and no formal educational status respectively. Artisans and traders were 34.3% and 27.3% respectively, 17.2% were students, leading to many (65.5%) earning less than ₦30,000 monthly incomes. Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity were 3.7%, 23.8% and 15.9% respectively. Some (24.3% and 15.8%) of the females were overweight and obese respectively, while 23.3% and 9.2% of the males were overweight and obese respectively. Some (44.3%) had low risk of cardiovascular disease, 20.7% moderately at risk while 35% had a high risk. The prevalence of inactivity was 71.8% while sufficient physical activity was 28.2%. By gender differences, 65.3%and 34.7% males and females respectively were physically active while 48.1% and 51.9% of males and females did not meet the recommendation. There was significant correlation (P<0.05) between the time spent on sedentary behavior and physical activity MET minutes. Therefore, there is need for time spent on sedentary behaviors to be reduced among adults as it affects the physical activity status.