A cross-sectional study exploring the sitting time of afghans and other South Asian youth in the UK

Abstract Introduction Prolong sitting time (ST) contributes to obesity and numerous Non-Communicable Diseases including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Concerning evidence on young people’s health has reported an increase in ST, the young British South Asians (BSA) is under explored. Th...

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Main Authors: Ayazullah Safi, Irfan Khawaja, Ahmad Alkhatib, Peter Collins, Tony Myers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-05-01
Series:Discover Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00621-7
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author Ayazullah Safi
Irfan Khawaja
Ahmad Alkhatib
Peter Collins
Tony Myers
author_facet Ayazullah Safi
Irfan Khawaja
Ahmad Alkhatib
Peter Collins
Tony Myers
author_sort Ayazullah Safi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Prolong sitting time (ST) contributes to obesity and numerous Non-Communicable Diseases including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Concerning evidence on young people’s health has reported an increase in ST, the young British South Asians (BSA) is under explored. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the ST of BSA community, specifically focusing on Afghans, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Indian groups. Methods Young BSA from the UK West Midlands region (mean age 15.4 ± 0.5 years) (Total: n = 191, (females: n = 93; males: n = 98) participated in this study. ST was measured based on self-reported total sitting hours using The International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form. Data were modelled using a Bayesian approach to determine differences in ST. Results The findings indicated that the majority of the BSA young people across ethnicities spent prolonged time being sitting. Young people from Indian ethnicity had the highest estimated marginal mean ST (482.23. 95% CI [410.49, 554.73]) and the Afghans the lowest estimated marginal mean ST (344.61, 95% CI [280.22, 411.33]). Discussion This study emphasised a worryingly high percentage of young people from each BSA ethnic group spending prolong ST. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore and compare the inter-population differences in ST within BSA minority ethnicities, including Afghan population in the UK. Conclusion The present findings provide a rationale for further scrutiny on key objective and qualitative determinants contributing to ST within different ethnicities among BSA young people.
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spelling doaj-art-e1a516f643234c94a1d8230745d456a02025-08-20T03:09:35ZengSpringerDiscover Public Health3005-07742025-05-0122111210.1186/s12982-025-00621-7A cross-sectional study exploring the sitting time of afghans and other South Asian youth in the UKAyazullah Safi0Irfan KhawajaAhmad Alkhatib1Peter Collins2Tony Myers3Department of Public Health, College of Life Sciences, Birmingham City UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Birmingham City UniversityFaculty of Education Health and Wellbeing, University of WolverhamptonDepartment of Social Science, Sport and Business, Newman UniversityAbstract Introduction Prolong sitting time (ST) contributes to obesity and numerous Non-Communicable Diseases including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Concerning evidence on young people’s health has reported an increase in ST, the young British South Asians (BSA) is under explored. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the ST of BSA community, specifically focusing on Afghans, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Indian groups. Methods Young BSA from the UK West Midlands region (mean age 15.4 ± 0.5 years) (Total: n = 191, (females: n = 93; males: n = 98) participated in this study. ST was measured based on self-reported total sitting hours using The International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form. Data were modelled using a Bayesian approach to determine differences in ST. Results The findings indicated that the majority of the BSA young people across ethnicities spent prolonged time being sitting. Young people from Indian ethnicity had the highest estimated marginal mean ST (482.23. 95% CI [410.49, 554.73]) and the Afghans the lowest estimated marginal mean ST (344.61, 95% CI [280.22, 411.33]). Discussion This study emphasised a worryingly high percentage of young people from each BSA ethnic group spending prolong ST. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore and compare the inter-population differences in ST within BSA minority ethnicities, including Afghan population in the UK. Conclusion The present findings provide a rationale for further scrutiny on key objective and qualitative determinants contributing to ST within different ethnicities among BSA young people.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00621-7Sedentary behaviourSittingPhysical activityBritish South AsianYoung peopleEthnic minority
spellingShingle Ayazullah Safi
Irfan Khawaja
Ahmad Alkhatib
Peter Collins
Tony Myers
A cross-sectional study exploring the sitting time of afghans and other South Asian youth in the UK
Discover Public Health
Sedentary behaviour
Sitting
Physical activity
British South Asian
Young people
Ethnic minority
title A cross-sectional study exploring the sitting time of afghans and other South Asian youth in the UK
title_full A cross-sectional study exploring the sitting time of afghans and other South Asian youth in the UK
title_fullStr A cross-sectional study exploring the sitting time of afghans and other South Asian youth in the UK
title_full_unstemmed A cross-sectional study exploring the sitting time of afghans and other South Asian youth in the UK
title_short A cross-sectional study exploring the sitting time of afghans and other South Asian youth in the UK
title_sort cross sectional study exploring the sitting time of afghans and other south asian youth in the uk
topic Sedentary behaviour
Sitting
Physical activity
British South Asian
Young people
Ethnic minority
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00621-7
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