Document Type
Article
Source of Publication
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publication Date
8-31-2022
Abstract
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.
DOI Link
ISSN
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
19
Issue
17
First Page
10832
Last Page
10832
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
Keywords
COVID-19, Coronavirus, Pandemic, Physical activity, Quarantine, Lockdown, Adults
Scopus ID
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Al Sabbah, Haleama; Taha, Zainab; Qasrawi, Radwan; Assaf, Enas A; Cheikh Ismail, Leila; Al Dhaheri, Ayesha S; Hoteit, Maha; Al-Jawaldeh, Ayoub; Tayyem, Reema; Bawadi, Hiba; AlKhalaf, Majid; Bookari, Khlood; Kamel, Iman; Dashti, Somaia; Allehdan, Sabika; Alalwan, Tariq A; Hammouh, Fadwa; Waly, Mostafa I; Al-Halawa, Diala Abu; Mansour, Rania; Abu Farha, Allam; and The Regional Corona Cooking Survey Group (, The Regional Corona Cooking Survey Group (, "The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical (In)Activity Behavior in 10 Arab Countries." (2022). All Works. 5362.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/5362
Indexed in Scopus
yes
Open Access
yes
Open Access Type
Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series