Relationship between physical activity level and BMI among Pakistani laborers in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Seemin Kashif Department of Environmental Design Health and Nutritional Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Hajra Ahmad Department of Environmental Design Health and Nutritional Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Kashif Malik Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Zaheer Ahmed Department of Environmental Design Health and Nutritional Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.2134

Abstract

Abstract

Objectives: To study the level of physical activity of Pakistani labourers in Saudi Arabia, and to find its relationship with body mass index.

Method: The observational study was conducted inside the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 2017 to March 2018, and comprised Pakistani males aged 22-60 years doing unskilled and semi-skilled jobs. Body mass index was calculated, and the level of physical activity was assessed using the short form International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.

Results: There were 130 subjects with mean age of 33.53±7.9 years. There were 109(83.8%) subjects aged <40 years, and 21(16.2%) were aged 40 years. Mean body mass index of the sample was 26.13±5.29kg/m². Overall, 71(54.6%) participants were insufficiently active having energy expenditure <600 metabolic equivalent of task in minutes per week. No statistically significant result was found when total energy expenditure was considered (p0.05), but significant result was found for energy expenditure due to ‘walk alone’ (p0.05). Significant correlation was found between profession and overall energy expenditure and job-related energy expenditure. Significant but weak positive correlation was found between body mass index and walk-related energy expenditure (r=0.279, p0.001).

Conclusion: Mean body mass index of the sample was high compared to South Asian cut-off values, and the level physical activity was very low, but the findings failed to show an inverse relationship between physical activity level and body mass index.

Key Words: Relationship, Physical activity level, BMI, Pakistani labourers, Saudi Arabia, Cross-sectional.

Author Biographies

Seemin Kashif , Department of Environmental Design Health and Nutritional Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan

MBBS

Hajra Ahmad, Department of Environmental Design Health and Nutritional Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Associate Professor, Environmental Design Health & Nutritonal Sciences

Muhammad Kashif Malik , Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

MBBS, FCPS (Pakistan), FRCP (Edin) 

Zaheer Ahmed , Department of Environmental Design Health and Nutritional Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Associate Professor , Department of Ebvironmental Design Health & Nutritional Sciences Allama Iqbal Open University islamabad

Published

2022-09-15

How to Cite

Kashif , S. ., Ahmad, H., Kashif Malik , M. ., & Zaheer Ahmed. (2022). Relationship between physical activity level and BMI among Pakistani laborers in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 72(10), 1942–1946. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.2134

Issue

Section

RESEARCH ARTICLE