Patterns of physical activity and relationship with risk markers for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and European adults in a UK population

Background Differences in level of physical activity between European, Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi populations living in the UK might contribute to differences in the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk markers that exist in these populations. Methods Type and level of physical activity (measured by a multidimensional index) and its relationship with selected cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors were assessed in a cross-sectional, population-based study of European, Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi men and women, aged 25-75, resident in Newcastle upon Tyne. Results Europeans were found to be more physically active than Indians, Pakistanis or Bangladeshis. On our physical activity index 52 per cent of European men did not meet current guidelines for participation in physical activity compared with 71 per cent of Indians, 88 per cent of Pakistanis and 87 per cent of Bangladeshis. Similar findings are reported for women. In particular, European men and women participated more frequently in moderate and vigorous sport and recreational activities. In general, level of physical activity was inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist measurement, systolic blood pressure, and blood glucose and insulin in all ethnic groups, but did not correlate with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Conclusions South Asians in Newcastle report significantly lower levels of habitual physical activity than Europeans. This is likely to contribute to the higher levels of diabetes and cardiovascular risk in these populations. Measures to increase physical activity in these populations are urgently needed.