Role of Peers on Physical Activities of Young Population in Rapidly Urbanizing Kavre, Nepal

Abstract

Background Nepal is rapidly urbanizing and along with it, the lifestyle of people is also changing. The incidence of obesity is uprising due to lack of physical activities, sedentary lifestyle and consumption of unhealthy high calorie diet. Even kids are suffering from issues of overweight and obesity. Hence, they should be encouraged to exercise and do physical activities on regular basis. According to WHO, children and youth aged 5-17 should perform at least 60 minutes moderate or vigorous physical activities. It is known that children are influenced by their peers in every aspect of their lives. Mostly these influences were viewed negatively as peer pressure. However, this could be positive and help to develop healthy habits among them. Methods 202 participants, 56.9% were female and 43.1% male, were included in the study. The dependent variable was physical activity status. Mean physical activity duration was 64.92 minutes. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the association of independent variable with physical activity status. Results Mean physical activity duration was 64.92 minutes for the study. After adjusting for covariates, physical activity status of children was associated with number of friends (OR=0.93, 95% CI=0.88, 0.99) and not with total hour spent with friends (OR=1.097, 95% CI=0.54, 2.21). Conclusions In conclusion, number of hours spent with peers did not determine which the children will be active or inactive. However, number of friends was showed statistically significant association with dependent variable. Similarly play time and parental permission to make friends were found to be facilitators for physical activity of children.