Perceived and Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time among South Asian Women in the UK

Abstract: Introduction: Limited self-report data suggest that South Asian (SA) women fail
to meet physical activity (PA) recommendations. Recent research using objective measures
reveals SA women living in the UK have higher PA levels than previously reported, and a
pattern of under-reporting PA and sedentary time (ST). There is limited research on SA
women’s understanding and experiences of PA/ST, and the cultural contexts and
conditions within which they occur. Therefore the aims of this mixed-methods study were
to compare perceived PA and ST to objectively measured data and explore PA- and
ST-specific contexts, experiences, and sources of PA and ST amongst SA women in the
UK. Methods: 24 women were purposively sampled to participate in a semi-structured
interview from a larger study of 140 women who wore an accelerometer for 7 days.
Demographic and anthropometric data were also collected. Results: Notable qualitative
themes on contextualisation were of adequate PA as “keeping busy” or “being healthy”,
and of ST as “lazy” or “resting in old age”. Few participants reported being sedentary, and
most believed they were sufficiently physically active. Objectively measured PA/ST
indicated that 66% women were less active than perceived (with regard to duration and
intensity), with none able to estimate duration of ST. Discussion: Findings suggest that
overall, SA women have contextualisations of PA/ST that may not coincide with those of
researchers, health professionals and policy makers, and lack awareness of the intensity of
PA in which they engage and the health risks of high levels of ST. These findings highlight
the need for objective measures of PA and ST in this population combined with in-depth
qualitative assessments to provide more accurate assessments of these behaviours. This
information can subsequently be used to develop health promotion messages and
interventions focusing on increasing duration and/or intensity levels of daily activities
(e.g., walking, housework) and reducing ST in this population.