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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Aug 25;44(3):595-605.
doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab147.

Epidemiology of physical inactivity in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Davies Adeloye  1 , Janet O Ige-Elegbede  2 , Asa Auta  3 , Boni M Ale  4 , Nnenna Ezeigwe  5 , Chiamaka Omoyele  5 , Mary T Dewan  6 , Rex G Mpazanje  6 , Emmanuel Agogo  7 , Wondimagegnehu Alemu  8 , Muktar A Gadanya  9 , Michael O Harhay  10 , Akindele O Adebiyi  11
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Epidemiology of physical inactivity in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Davies Adeloye et al. J Public Health (Oxf). .

Abstract

Background: Physical activity is crucial to preventing noncommunicable diseases. This study aimed to provide up-to-date evidence on the epidemiology of insufficient physical activity across Nigeria to increase awareness and prompt relevant policy and public health response.

Methods: A systematic literature search of community-based studies on physical inactivity was conducted. We constructed a meta-regression epidemiologic model to determine the age-adjusted prevalence and number of physically inactive persons in Nigeria for 1995 and 2020.

Results: Fifteen studies covering a population of 13 814 adults met our selection criteria. The pooled crude prevalence of physically inactive persons in Nigeria was 52.0% (95% CI: 33.7-70.4), with prevalence in women higher at 55.8% (95% CI: 29.4-82.3) compared to men at 49.3% (95% CI: 24.7-73.9). Across settings, prevalence of physically inactive persons was significantly higher among urban dwellers (56.8%, 35.3-78.4) compared to rural dwellers (18.9%, 11.9-49.8). Among persons aged 20-79 years, the total number of physically inactive persons increased from 14.4 million to 48.6 million between 1995 and 2020, equivalent to a 240% increase over the 25-year period.

Conclusions: A comprehensive and robust strategy that addresses occupational policies, town planning, awareness and information, and sociocultural and contextual issues is crucial to improving physical activity levels in Nigeria.

Keywords: Nigeria; epidemiology; noncommunicable diseases; physical inactivity; prevalence; risk.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of selection of studies on physical inactivity in Nigeria.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Crude prevalence rate of physical inactivity in Nigeria, by geopolitical zones.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Crude prevalence rate of physical inactivity in Nigeria, men.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Crude prevalence rate of physical inactivity in Nigeria, women.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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