Investigations Rising Trend in Physical Inactivity in Turkish Women: Analysis of 1990-1995 Data on nationwide Sample Cohort

The intensity of physical activity, assessed in 1990 in a representative sample of the Turkish adult popu~ lation aged 20 years and over, was studied in 1995 in a follow-up of the same cohort comprising 1012 men and 1096 women. In an interview by questionnaire, participants were categorized into 4 grades of physical activity in a combined assessment of both work and leisure activity. It was predicted before the study that the weighted mean physical activity would decline by 0.13 grade in either gender purely asa resul! of aging by 5 years. In fact, overall mear. physical activity diminished very little in men aged 20-69 years (from 2.53 to 2.49 grades), while it did considerably in women from 2.29 to 2.08 grades. After age adjustment, physical activity in men - particularly those aged 50- 69 years - was evaluated to rise slightly, whereas that of women declined by 0.08 grade (representing 3-4% ). This decline was especially notable in the cohor! of the Mediterranean, Southeast Anatolia and the Black Sea regions of the country. Public awareness in regard to physical inactivity, an established risk factor for coronary heart disease, as well as emphasis given by physicians should be raised.