Are gender differences in physical inactivity associated with the burden of dementia in low- and lower-middle income countries?

Abstract

We explore the association between gender differences in physical inactivity and dementia in low and lower-middle-income countries (LLMIC). Data were extracted from the Repository of the Global Health Observatory and the United Nations Development Program with 2016 as reference year. Sample was composed using countries with a Human Development Index lower than 0.700. We calculated the population attributable fraction for physical inactivity in dementia. Absolute and relative gender differences in physical inactivity were calculated by subtracting and dividing the prevalence of physical inactivity among men from women's prevalence, respectively. Physical inactivity accounts for 12.25% cases of dementia in LLMIC. Women account for 58% of deaths and 56% of DALY's due to dementia in LLMIC. Adjusted prevalence of dementia was associated with prevalence and absolute gender difference in physical inactivity. DALYs and deaths due to dementia were associated with absolute and relative gender differences in physical inactivity. A reduction of 10% in physical inactivity only among women might reproduce a similar decline in the burden of dementia compared to the same 10% decrease in physical inactivity in the whole LLMIC population. Decreasing gender gap in physical inactivity may be an alternative approach to reduce the burden of dementia in LLMIC.

Keywords: Dementia; developing countries; physical activity.