The Impact of Main Chronic Conditions in Kuwait
Risk Factors: Physical Activity
Regular physical activity and physical fitness are important for health,
sense of well being and maintenance of a healthy body. The Center for
Disease Control and Prevention defines physical activity as “Any bodily
movement produced by the contraction of skeletal muscle that increases
energy expenditure above a basal level. In these Guidelines, physical
activity generally refers to the subset of physical activity that enhances
health.” 1
18.5-24.9 BMI (Normal)
25.0-29.9 BMI (Overweight)
≥ 30 BMI (Obese)
96,6
High Frequency
Low Frequency
Sedetary
19.3±0.9Ŧ,b
25.7±1.9
Triceps
27.5±1.7
Tested Area
Body Mass Index (BMI) vs. Physical Activity in KOC Field Workers
(2003)2
Mean Skin Fold Thickness in Kuwaiti Females of Different
Physical Activity Levels (2003)3
27.8±2.4Ŧ,a
Abdominal
35±2.6
40.9±2.7
16.5±1.3†,a
Prevalence (%)
Mid-Axillary
21.6±1.6
24.3 ± 2
51,7
49,9 47,4
43,1
0
10
20
30
40
Skin Fold Thickness (mm)
†P‹
ŦP‹
0.01 vs. SED
aP‹ 0.05 vs. LOF
5,2
2,7
Inactive
2,7
Moderately Active
Sedentary Lifestyle
0,7
Mean Resting Heart Rates for Exercising and NonExercising Groups (2001)4
Significantly Active
˂ 30 min for ˂ 3 times weekly
˃ 30 min for ˃ 3 times weekly
79
There is a higher incidence in inactivity among KOC Field workers
compared to KOC Office workers.
78
77
Body Mass Index versus Physical Activity in KOC Office Workers
(2003)2
25.0-29.9 BMI (Overweight
≥ 30 BMI (Obese)
94
HR (Beats.min-1)
76
18.5-24.9 BMI (Normal)
0.001 vs. SED
bP‹ 0.01 vs. LOF
77,6
76,5
75
74
73
72
71
71,5
70
Prevalence (%)
69
68
51,5
51
Sedentary
45,2
42,4
Exercise Frequency (days/week)
Active ≥ 2 times per
week
Values are mean ± SE
6,6
6
3,3
Inactive
Moderately Active
˂ 30 min for ˂ 3 times weekly
Sedentary Lifestyle
0
Significantly Active
˃ 30 min for ˃ 3 times weekly
Body Composition for Exercising and Non Exercising Groups:
Mean BMI and Mean Percentage of Body Fat
Totally Sedentary
Mean Skin Fold Thickness in Kuwaiti Males of different
Physical Activity Levels (2003)3
High Frequency
Low Frequency
Active 1 time per week
Active ≥ 2 times per week
30.5 ± 2.2
26.4 ± 1*
25.2 ± 1.1*
Sedentary
25.7 ± 3.3
6.8 ± 1.5
8.7 ± 1.5
11.5 ± 2.6
Triceps
Tested Area
Active 1 time per
week
19 ± 2*
17.2 ± 2*
24.7 ± 2.9
25.2 ± 2.5
Abdominal
31.9 ± 2.9
7.1 ± 1.9
10.4 ± 2.3
13.4 ± 3
Mid-axillary
BMI
12.4 ± 1.7†
13.1 ± 1.6†
Chest
* Significant at P ˂ 0.05
% Fat
20.1 ± 2
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Skin Fold THickness (mm)
† P‹ 0.01 vs. SED
Males who reported a sedentary lifestyle had almost twice as much
skin fold thickness in their triceps and mid-axillary compared to males
with a high frequency of regular physical activity.
References:
1. CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008): Physical Activity for Everyone
http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/glossary/index.html Accessed 1 April 2010
2. Al-Asi, T., (2003). Overweight and obesity among Kuwait Oil Company employees: a cross-sectional study.
Occupational Medicine, 53(7), pp. 431-435.
3. Ramadan, J. and Barac-Nieto, M., (2003). Reported Frequency of Physical Activity, Fitness, and Fatness in Kuwait.
American Journal of Human Biology, 15(4), pp. 514-521.
4. Ramadan, J. and Barac-Nieto, M., (2001). Low-Frequency Physical Activity Insufficient for Aerobic Conditioning Is
Associated With Lower Body Fat Than Sedentary Conditions. Nutrition, 17(3), pp. 225-229.