Physical Activity of the Population of the Most Obese Country in Europe, Hungary

Bibliographic Data

ID22073399
AuthorsÉva Bácsné Bába (0000-0002-0733-6637, University of Debrecen), Gergely Ráthonyi (0000-0002-1184-1660, University of Debrecen, corresponding author), Anetta Müller (0000-0002-9164-8050, University of Debrecen), Kinga Ráthonyi-Ódor (0000-0002-5042-9185, University of Debrecen), Peter Balogh (0000-0001-8220-3220, University of Debrecen), Róza Ádány (0000-0002-9679-6669, University of Debrecen), Zoltán Bács (0000-0003-0612-658X, University of Debrecen)
Year2020
Volume8
Pages203-203
Publication date2020-06-02
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2020.00203
PMID32582609
OpenAlexW3034159793
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited40

IIntroduction Physical activity is inversely proportional to mortality, so it has an important role in disease prevention. The aim of our study was to characterize the physical activity of Hungarians, the most obese population in Europe. Materials and methods In a cross-sectional study the physical activity of the Hungarian population was characterized in a sample (n=1295) which was representative of the sex, age and geographical location of the adult population aged 18 years and above by using the long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) as an instrument. Based on the metabolic equivalent (MET) rates three categories of physical activity (low, moderate and high) were defined. Two-step cluster analysis was used to explore physical activity characteristics of participants using sex, age, settlement type and BMI categories as categorical variables, and MET values related to the Work, Transportation, Domestic and Garden, and Leisure Time domains of physical activity as continuous variables. Results The study showed that 63.39% of the adult Hungarian population took part in high, and 24.78% in moderate activity, and only 11.73% of the sample belonged to the category of low physical activity. By cluster analysis six clusters of people with typical lifestyles could be identified in the Hungarian adult population. In all the six groups participants achieved moderate or high activity levels through work and housework. Physical activity in relation to transportation is very low, similarly to leisure-time sporting activities. In the case of elder people, severe overweight/obesity problems can be detected in married city-dwellers. Discussion Although Hungary has the highest obesity rate in Europe our research has proved that Hungarians lead physically active lives. The dominant forms of their physical activity are linked to work and housework. Our findings draw attention to the need to examine other risk factors in addition to physical inactivity. Our findings also suggest that the type of physical activity should be more severely considered when defining factors protective against obesity

Environmental health · Geography · Obesity · Pathology · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Political science · Population · Medicine · Nutrition and Health in Aging · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Physical Activity and Health

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