Physical Activity and Self-Reported Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in the Aboriginal Population in Perth, Australia, Measured Using an Adaptation of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ)

Tuguy Esgin, Deborah Hersh, Kevin G. Rowley, Rona Macniven, Kristen Glenister, Alan Crouch and Robert U. Newton
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Tuguy Esgin: Discipline of Exercise, Health and Performance, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Deborah Hersh: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia
Kevin G. Rowley: Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
Rona Macniven: School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
Kristen Glenister: Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne, Shepparton, VIC 3630, Australia
Alan Crouch: Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne, Shepparton, VIC 3630, Australia
Robert U. Newton: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: Background: Complex, ongoing social factors have led to a context where metabolic syndrome (MetS) is disproportionately high in Aboriginal Australians. MetS is characterised by insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, high blood-sugar and low HDL-C. This descriptive study aimed to document physical activity levels, including domains and intensity and sedentary behaviour, and MetS risk factors in the Perth Aboriginal (predominately Noongar) community. Methods: The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), together with a questionnaire on self-reported MetS risk factors, was circulated to community members for completion during 2014 ( n = 129). Results: Data were analysed using chi-squared tests. The average (SD) age was 37.8 years (14) and BMI of 31.4 (8.2) kg/m 2 . Occupational, transport-related and leisure-time physical activity (PA) and sedentary intensities were reported across age categories. The median (interquartile range) daily sedentary time was 200 (78, 435), 240 (120, 420) and 180 (60, 300) minutes for the 18–25, 26–44 and 45+ year-olds, respectively ( p = 0.973). Conclusions: An in-depth understanding of the types, frequencies and intensities of PA reported for the Perth Aboriginal community is important to implementing targeted strategies to reduce the prevalence of chronic disease in this context. Future efforts collaborating with community should aim to reduce the risk factors associated with MetS and improve quality of life.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; oceanic ancestry group; physical activity; GPAQ (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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