Patterns and associated factors of accelerometer-measured physical activity in the metropolitan areas of Singapore and Berlin – comparative analysis of the Singapore population health studies and the German National Cohort (NAKO)
Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) plays a critical role in preventing non-communicable chronic diseases. However, engagement in PA differs widely between countries. The aim of this study was to examine PA patterns and associated factors in the urban populations of Singapore and Berlin, Germ...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22922-x |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) plays a critical role in preventing non-communicable chronic diseases. However, engagement in PA differs widely between countries. The aim of this study was to examine PA patterns and associated factors in the urban populations of Singapore and Berlin, Germany. Methods This study used harmonized data from the Singapore Population Health Studies and the study center “Berlin-Mitte” of the German National Cohort Study (NAKO). PA was assessed with hip-worn accelerometers. Raw tri-axial accelerometry data was processed using the GGIR-R-package and classified into moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), light PA (LPA), and inactivity. Multivariable regression analyses were applied to analyze associations between sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and PA intensities. Results The analyses included 1,195 (57.2% female, 46.6 ± 13.7 years) participants from Singapore and 2,060 (49.3% female, 49.9 ± 12.6 years) from Berlin. Singaporean participants engaged in more MVPA (+ 14.1 min [10.6;17.5] [95%-confidence interval]) and LPA (+ 66.2 min [57.4;74.9]) and less time inactive (-80.2 min [-90.0;-70.4]) than Berlin participants. In Singapore, more MVPA was associated with Chinese ethnicity and being employed, more LPA with male sex, normal weight, lower education and being married, while more inactivity was associated with female sex, overweight and non-smoking. In Berlin, more MVPA was associated with lower age, being employed, normal weight, and non-smoking, more LPA only with higher age, while singles, men, unemployed, and obese persons engaged in less LPA. Inactivity was associated with obesity and higher education. Conclusions Singaporean participants engaged more in both MVPA and LPA than those from Berlin. Factors associated with PA varied considerably between both urban populations but also in relation to PA intensities. These variations highlight the need for tailored PA promotion strategies that distinguish between reducing inactivity and increasing overall activity levels. |
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| ISSN: | 1471-2458 |