TY - JOUR
T1 - The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical (In)Activity Behavior in 10 Arab Countries
AU - The Regional CORONA COOKING Survey Group
AU - Al Sabbah, Haleama
AU - Taha, Zainab
AU - Qasrawi, Radwan
AU - Assaf, Enas A.
AU - Cheikh Ismail, Leila
AU - Al Dhaheri, Ayesha S.
AU - Hoteit, Maha
AU - Al-Jawaldeh, Ayoub
AU - Tayyem, Reema
AU - Bawadi, Hiba
AU - AlKhalaf, Majid
AU - Bookari, Khlood
AU - Kamel, Iman
AU - Dashti, Somaia
AU - Allehdan, Sabika
AU - Alalwan, Tariq A.
AU - Hammouh, Fadwa
AU - Waly, Mostafa I.
AU - Al-Halawa, Diala Abu
AU - Mansour, Rania
AU - Abu Farha, Allam
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 by the authors.
PY - 2022/9
Y1 - 2022/9
N2 - Insufficient physical activity is considered a strong risk factor associated with non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on physical (in)activity behavior in 10 Arab countries before and during the lockdown. A cross-sectional study using a validated online survey was launched originally in 38 different countries. The Eastern Mediterranean regional data related to the 10 Arabic countries that participated in the survey were selected for analysis in this study. A total of 12,433 participants were included in this analysis. The mean age of the participants was 30.3 (SD, 11.7) years. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between physical activity levels and the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, watching TV, screen time, and computer usage. Physical activity levels decreased significantly during the lockdown. Participants’ country of origin, gender, and education were associated with physical activity before and during the lockdown (p < 0.050). Older age, watching TV, and using computers had a negative effect on physical activity before and during the lockdown (p < 0.050). Strategies to improve physical activity and minimize sedentary behavior should be implemented, as well as to reduce unhealthy levels of inactive time, especially during times of crisis. Further research on the influence of a lack of physical activity on overall health status, as well as on the COVID-19 disease effect is recommended.
AB - Insufficient physical activity is considered a strong risk factor associated with non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on physical (in)activity behavior in 10 Arab countries before and during the lockdown. A cross-sectional study using a validated online survey was launched originally in 38 different countries. The Eastern Mediterranean regional data related to the 10 Arabic countries that participated in the survey were selected for analysis in this study. A total of 12,433 participants were included in this analysis. The mean age of the participants was 30.3 (SD, 11.7) years. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between physical activity levels and the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, watching TV, screen time, and computer usage. Physical activity levels decreased significantly during the lockdown. Participants’ country of origin, gender, and education were associated with physical activity before and during the lockdown (p < 0.050). Older age, watching TV, and using computers had a negative effect on physical activity before and during the lockdown (p < 0.050). Strategies to improve physical activity and minimize sedentary behavior should be implemented, as well as to reduce unhealthy levels of inactive time, especially during times of crisis. Further research on the influence of a lack of physical activity on overall health status, as well as on the COVID-19 disease effect is recommended.
KW - COVID-19
KW - adults
KW - coronavirus
KW - lockdown
KW - pandemic
KW - physical activity
KW - quarantine
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U2 - 10.3390/ijerph191710832
DO - 10.3390/ijerph191710832
M3 - Article
C2 - 36078548
AN - SCOPUS:85137585825
SN - 1661-7827
VL - 19
JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
IS - 17
M1 - 10832
ER -