| dc.description.abstract | Summary
Background: Physical activity (PA) has been promoted as a means to address global obesity and severe diseases. Previous research on PA has primarily focused on developed countries and leisure-time PA (LTPA), demonstrating a positive association between LTPA and socioeconomic status (SES). The traditional focus on LTPA may be the reason why studies in developing and underdeveloped countries, where socioeconomic conditions differ significantly from developed countries, have reported lower levels of PA in low-SES groups. Therefore, the present study aims to explore PA practices among middle-aged, less-advantaged Bangladeshi people, examine how and when PA is performed, and whether it is relevant to speak of LTPA as part of total PA in this population.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve randomly selected men and women (mean age = 29.3 years) with low-SES occupations in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in January 2023. An interview guide was centered on the everyday routines, working hours and activities and leisure activities. The inductive data analysis followed a thematic analysis approach.
Findings: PA among the less-advantaged population in Bangladesh predominantly involves occupational-, household-, and transport PA. The informants’ PA practices centered on seven themes that shed light on the health effects and limited access to leisure time: “Exhaustive Work around the clock”, “Active commuting, and physically demanding occupation”, “Shift to Dhaka and work hard for money and supporting their family”, “The machinery is an illusion - all tasks are performed manually”, “The limited leisure time is not filled with LTPA”, “Additional domestic duties for women”, and “Bodily pain, and discomfort”.
Interpretation: The primary concern of Bangladeshi people with low SES lies not in their leisure-time inactivity but rather in their constrained leisure time resulting from an imbalanced work-life situation. It is vital to acknowledge their limited leisure time and further explore opportunities to facilitate LTPA engagement. | |
