The prevalence and influencing factors of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the rural population in China: the Henan Rural Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and influencing factors of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in rural areas of China. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A multistage, stratified cluster sampling method was used to obtain samples in the general population of Henan province in China. PARTICIPANTS: 38 515 participants aged 18–79 years were enrolled from the Henan Rural Cohort Study for the cross-sectional study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the levels of PA and SB. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate ORs and 95% CIs of potential influencing factors with physical inactivity. RESULTS: The age-standardised prevalence of light PA and sitting >7.5 hours per day were 32.74% and 26.88% in the general Chinese rural adults, respectively. Gender differences were: 34.91%, 29.76% for men and 31.75%, 25.16% for women, respectively. The prevalence of participants with both light PA and sitting >7.5 hours per day was 13.95%. Education at least junior middle school, divorced/widowed/unmarried, RMB1000> per capita monthly income ≥RMB500, sitting >7.5 hours per day were negatively associated with light PA. For sitting >7.5 hours per day, the negative factors were being men, divorced/widowed/unmarried, heavy smoking, Fishery products, vegetable and fruits intake. CONCLUSION: Physical inactivity and SB were high in rural China. There is an increased need to promote a healthy lifestyle to the rural population. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Henan Rural Cohort Study has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Register. Registration number: ChiCTR-OOC-15006699. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=11375