Epidemiology of physical inactivity in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Adeloye, Davies, Ige-Elegbede, Janet O, Auta, Asa orcid iconORCID: 0000-0001-6515-5802, Ale, Boni M, Ezeigwe, Nnenna, Omoyele, Chiamaka, Dewan, Mary T., Mpazanje, Rex G, Agogo, Emmanuel et al (2021) Epidemiology of physical inactivity in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Public Health . ISSN 1741-3842

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdab147

Abstract

Background
Physical activity is crucial to preventing noncommunicable diseases. This study aimed to provide up-to-date evidence on the epidemiology of insufficient physical activity across Nigeria to increase awareness and prompt relevant policy and public health response.

Methods
A systematic literature search of community-based studies on physical inactivity was conducted. We constructed a meta-regression epidemiologic model to determine the age-adjusted prevalence and number of physically inactive persons in Nigeria for 1995 and 2020.

Results
Fifteen studies covering a population of 13 814 adults met our selection criteria. The pooled crude prevalence of physically inactive persons in Nigeria was 52.0% (95% CI: 33.7–70.4), with prevalence in women higher at 55.8% (95% CI: 29.4–82.3) compared to men at 49.3% (95% CI: 24.7–73.9). Across settings, prevalence of physically inactive persons was significantly higher among urban dwellers (56.8%, 35.3–78.4) compared to rural dwellers (18.9%, 11.9–49.8). Among persons aged 20–79 years, the total number of physically inactive persons increased from 14.4 million to 48.6 million between 1995 and 2020, equivalent to a 240% increase over the 25-year period.

Conclusions
A comprehensive and robust strategy that addresses occupational policies, town planning, awareness and information, and sociocultural and contextual issues is crucial to improving physical activity levels in Nigeria.


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