PREVALENCE OF PHYSICAL INACTIVITY AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AMONG URBAN ADULTS

Abstract

Background: Physical inactivity is a globally recognized modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, especially in urban populations undergoing rapid lifestyle transitions. In Pakistan, urbanization has contributed to increasing sedentary behaviors, yet limited data exist on its direct association with cardiovascular risk factors in urban adults.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of physical inactivity and its association with major cardiovascular risk factors among urban adults in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted over eight months among 370 urban adults in Islamabad using multistage random sampling. Physical activity levels were measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity were evaluated through standard clinical assessments and laboratory investigations. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression, with significance set at p<0.05.

Results: Among participants, 41.1% were physically inactive, 36.3% had moderate activity, and 22.6% were highly active. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity was 32.2%, 21.7%, 44.8%, and 29.5%, respectively. Physical inactivity showed statistically significant associations with all cardiovascular risk factors (p<0.01). Adjusted logistic regression revealed increased odds of hypertension (OR=1.89), diabetes (OR=1.66), dyslipidemia (OR=2.10), and obesity (OR=1.74) among the physically inactive population.

Conclusion: Physical inactivity is highly prevalent among urban adults in Islamabad and is significantly associated with increased cardiovascular risk. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions promoting physical activity to reduce cardiovascular disease burden in urban Pakistani settings.