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; Robert U Newton

doi:10.3390/ijerph18115969

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)

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jun 2;18(11):5969. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18115969.

Authors

Tuguy Esgin^{1

2}, Deborah Hersh², Kevin G Rowley³, Rona Macniven^{4

5

6}, Kristen Glenister⁷, Alan Crouch⁷, Robert U Newton^{2

8}

Affiliations

¹ Discipline of Exercise, Health and Performance, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
² School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia.
³ Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
⁴ School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
⁵ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
⁶ Faculty of Health, Medicine and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia.
⁷ Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne, Shepparton, VIC 3630, Australia.
⁸ School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.

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/m². 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; GPAQ; oceanic ancestry group; physical activity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Australia / epidemiology
Exercise
Humans
Metabolic Syndrome* / epidemiology
Middle Aged
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Quality of Life
Risk Factors
Self Report
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult