The Association of Physical Activity With Overweight/Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Nepalese Adults: Evidence From a Nationwide Non‐Communicable Disease Risk Factor Survey

ABSTRACT Background The rising prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a significant public health concern, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries. This study aimed to explore the association between physical activity levels, overweight/obesity, and T2DM in a nationwide survey...

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Main Authors: Ritesh Chimoriya, Kritika Rana, Jonas Adhikari, Sarah J. Aitken, Prakash Poudel, Aayush Baral, Lal Rawal, Milan K. Piya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-02-01
Series:Obesity Science & Practice
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70046
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author Ritesh Chimoriya
Kritika Rana
Jonas Adhikari
Sarah J. Aitken
Prakash Poudel
Aayush Baral
Lal Rawal
Milan K. Piya
author_facet Ritesh Chimoriya
Kritika Rana
Jonas Adhikari
Sarah J. Aitken
Prakash Poudel
Aayush Baral
Lal Rawal
Milan K. Piya
author_sort Ritesh Chimoriya
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background The rising prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a significant public health concern, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries. This study aimed to explore the association between physical activity levels, overweight/obesity, and T2DM in a nationwide survey of Nepalese adults. Methods This was a secondary analysis of the 2019 non‐communicable diseases (NCD) risk factors STEPS survey conducted in Nepal. Demographic and anthropometric data, body mass index (BMI) and T2DM status were collected along with assessment of physical activity using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). A two‐stage data analysis was conducted, first using descriptive statistics to summarize participant characteristics and differences across BMI and T2DM status, and then applying multivariate analyses to assess associations between physical activity levels, BMI and T2DM. Results Of the 5284 participants included, 28.0% had overweight/obesity, 5.8% had obesity, and 6.5% had T2DM. The mean age of the participants was 40.1 years (95% CI: 39.8–40.6), and 63.9% were female. The overall physical activity energy expenditure was higher in the lean group (BMI < 25 kg/m2) compared to the those with overweight/obesity, and among participants without T2DM compared to those with T2DM. Sedentary behavior was more common among individuals with overweight/obesity and T2DM. A higher proportion of participants with low physical activity was observed in the overweight/obesity group compared to the lean group (8.9% vs. 6.3%) and the T2DM group compared to the non‐T2DM group (11.7% vs. 6.7%). Low physical activity was associated with overweight/obesity (OR:1.4; 95% CI:1.1–1.8), obesity (OR:2.1; 95% CI:1.5–2.3), T2DM (OR:1.6; 95% CI:1.1–2.3) and T2DM in the presence of obesity (OR:3.6; 95% CI:1.7–7.8). Conclusion This study highlights the low rates of physical activity and higher rates of sedentary behavior among adults with overweight/obesity and T2DM in Nepal. Public health interventions promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior may help reduce the burden of these NCDs.
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spelling doaj-art-649dbfffa0104ad2990d1e27d3d5d8a02025-08-20T02:46:08ZengWileyObesity Science & Practice2055-22382025-02-01111n/an/a10.1002/osp4.70046The Association of Physical Activity With Overweight/Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Nepalese Adults: Evidence From a Nationwide Non‐Communicable Disease Risk Factor SurveyRitesh Chimoriya0Kritika Rana1Jonas Adhikari2Sarah J. Aitken3Prakash Poudel4Aayush Baral5Lal Rawal6Milan K. Piya7School of Medicine Western Sydney University Campbelltown AustraliaPhilanthropy Research Collaboration Auburn AustraliaSchool of Health Sciences Western Sydney University Penrith AustraliaConcord Institute of Academic Surgery Concord Repatriation General Hospital Concord AustraliaOffice of Research and Education Canberra Health Services ACT Government Garran AustraliaDepartment of Public Health Torrens University Australia Melbourne AustraliaTranslational Health Research Institute Western Sydney University Penrith AustraliaSchool of Medicine Western Sydney University Campbelltown AustraliaABSTRACT Background The rising prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a significant public health concern, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries. This study aimed to explore the association between physical activity levels, overweight/obesity, and T2DM in a nationwide survey of Nepalese adults. Methods This was a secondary analysis of the 2019 non‐communicable diseases (NCD) risk factors STEPS survey conducted in Nepal. Demographic and anthropometric data, body mass index (BMI) and T2DM status were collected along with assessment of physical activity using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). A two‐stage data analysis was conducted, first using descriptive statistics to summarize participant characteristics and differences across BMI and T2DM status, and then applying multivariate analyses to assess associations between physical activity levels, BMI and T2DM. Results Of the 5284 participants included, 28.0% had overweight/obesity, 5.8% had obesity, and 6.5% had T2DM. The mean age of the participants was 40.1 years (95% CI: 39.8–40.6), and 63.9% were female. The overall physical activity energy expenditure was higher in the lean group (BMI < 25 kg/m2) compared to the those with overweight/obesity, and among participants without T2DM compared to those with T2DM. Sedentary behavior was more common among individuals with overweight/obesity and T2DM. A higher proportion of participants with low physical activity was observed in the overweight/obesity group compared to the lean group (8.9% vs. 6.3%) and the T2DM group compared to the non‐T2DM group (11.7% vs. 6.7%). Low physical activity was associated with overweight/obesity (OR:1.4; 95% CI:1.1–1.8), obesity (OR:2.1; 95% CI:1.5–2.3), T2DM (OR:1.6; 95% CI:1.1–2.3) and T2DM in the presence of obesity (OR:3.6; 95% CI:1.7–7.8). Conclusion This study highlights the low rates of physical activity and higher rates of sedentary behavior among adults with overweight/obesity and T2DM in Nepal. Public health interventions promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior may help reduce the burden of these NCDs.https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70046diabetesnon‐communicable diseaseobesityoverweightphysical activityrisk factor
spellingShingle Ritesh Chimoriya
Kritika Rana
Jonas Adhikari
Sarah J. Aitken
Prakash Poudel
Aayush Baral
Lal Rawal
Milan K. Piya
The Association of Physical Activity With Overweight/Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Nepalese Adults: Evidence From a Nationwide Non‐Communicable Disease Risk Factor Survey
Obesity Science & Practice
diabetes
non‐communicable disease
obesity
overweight
physical activity
risk factor
title The Association of Physical Activity With Overweight/Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Nepalese Adults: Evidence From a Nationwide Non‐Communicable Disease Risk Factor Survey
title_full The Association of Physical Activity With Overweight/Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Nepalese Adults: Evidence From a Nationwide Non‐Communicable Disease Risk Factor Survey
title_fullStr The Association of Physical Activity With Overweight/Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Nepalese Adults: Evidence From a Nationwide Non‐Communicable Disease Risk Factor Survey
title_full_unstemmed The Association of Physical Activity With Overweight/Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Nepalese Adults: Evidence From a Nationwide Non‐Communicable Disease Risk Factor Survey
title_short The Association of Physical Activity With Overweight/Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Nepalese Adults: Evidence From a Nationwide Non‐Communicable Disease Risk Factor Survey
title_sort association of physical activity with overweight obesity and type 2 diabetes in nepalese adults evidence from a nationwide non communicable disease risk factor survey
topic diabetes
non‐communicable disease
obesity
overweight
physical activity
risk factor
url https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70046
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