Are there gender based differences in participation and time spent in physical activity in Albania? Evidence from 2017-18 demographic and health survey
Abstract Background Since 1990, Albania has embraced the market economy and globalization. Prosperity and modernization have also brought significant lifestyle changes toward unhealthy behaviours, doubling the mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). While Physical Activity (PA) can mitigate...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Archives of Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-022-00930-2 |
| _version_ | 1798042562645196800 |
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| author | Monika Çule Harminder Guliani |
| author_facet | Monika Çule Harminder Guliani |
| author_sort | Monika Çule |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Since 1990, Albania has embraced the market economy and globalization. Prosperity and modernization have also brought significant lifestyle changes toward unhealthy behaviours, doubling the mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). While Physical Activity (PA) can mitigate the NCDs burden, participation is low in Albania. To date, research on PA determinants that could meaningfully inform policy is lacking. To fill this gap, this study examines the PA behaviour among Albanian adults. Specifically, we assess the decisions to participate, and the time spent in PA. Methods Using the 2017–2018 Albania Demographic and Health Survey data and a double-hurdle regression model, we simultaneously assess the influence of demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors on the likelihood of participating (extensive margin) and the time spent (intensive margin) in PA. To understand gender differences regarding PA decisions, we run separate models for men and women. Results Results show significant variations in the likelihood of participation and the time spent in PA, by household economic status, administrative regions, occupation, and education. We find that likelihood of participation in PA increases with household wealth, but conditional on participation, affluent Albanians spent less time in PA. Education and employment status also have opposite effects on participation and time spent margins. Results show notable gender-based differences in PA behaviour (either for participation or time spent) related to education, age, family structure (marital status and the number of young children), regions, occupation, and lifestyle factors. Conclusions Insights in understanding the PA behaviour of Albanian adults allow policymakers to identify socio-demographic groups most in need of intervention effort. To effectively support PA among Albanians, policymakers should target males and females differently and address gender-specific needs accordingly. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:37:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e77c84a315f9447ab8d13ccfda84bcb0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2049-3258 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:37:11Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-e77c84a315f9447ab8d13ccfda84bcb02022-12-22T03:59:11ZengBMCArchives of Public Health2049-32582022-08-0180111610.1186/s13690-022-00930-2Are there gender based differences in participation and time spent in physical activity in Albania? Evidence from 2017-18 demographic and health surveyMonika Çule0Harminder Guliani1Department of Economics, University of ReginaDepartment of Economics, University of ReginaAbstract Background Since 1990, Albania has embraced the market economy and globalization. Prosperity and modernization have also brought significant lifestyle changes toward unhealthy behaviours, doubling the mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). While Physical Activity (PA) can mitigate the NCDs burden, participation is low in Albania. To date, research on PA determinants that could meaningfully inform policy is lacking. To fill this gap, this study examines the PA behaviour among Albanian adults. Specifically, we assess the decisions to participate, and the time spent in PA. Methods Using the 2017–2018 Albania Demographic and Health Survey data and a double-hurdle regression model, we simultaneously assess the influence of demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors on the likelihood of participating (extensive margin) and the time spent (intensive margin) in PA. To understand gender differences regarding PA decisions, we run separate models for men and women. Results Results show significant variations in the likelihood of participation and the time spent in PA, by household economic status, administrative regions, occupation, and education. We find that likelihood of participation in PA increases with household wealth, but conditional on participation, affluent Albanians spent less time in PA. Education and employment status also have opposite effects on participation and time spent margins. Results show notable gender-based differences in PA behaviour (either for participation or time spent) related to education, age, family structure (marital status and the number of young children), regions, occupation, and lifestyle factors. Conclusions Insights in understanding the PA behaviour of Albanian adults allow policymakers to identify socio-demographic groups most in need of intervention effort. To effectively support PA among Albanians, policymakers should target males and females differently and address gender-specific needs accordingly.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-022-00930-2Physical activitySocioeconomic factorsDouble hurdle modelGender differencesAlbania |
| spellingShingle | Monika Çule Harminder Guliani Are there gender based differences in participation and time spent in physical activity in Albania? Evidence from 2017-18 demographic and health survey Archives of Public Health Physical activity Socioeconomic factors Double hurdle model Gender differences Albania |
| title | Are there gender based differences in participation and time spent in physical activity in Albania? Evidence from 2017-18 demographic and health survey |
| title_full | Are there gender based differences in participation and time spent in physical activity in Albania? Evidence from 2017-18 demographic and health survey |
| title_fullStr | Are there gender based differences in participation and time spent in physical activity in Albania? Evidence from 2017-18 demographic and health survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Are there gender based differences in participation and time spent in physical activity in Albania? Evidence from 2017-18 demographic and health survey |
| title_short | Are there gender based differences in participation and time spent in physical activity in Albania? Evidence from 2017-18 demographic and health survey |
| title_sort | are there gender based differences in participation and time spent in physical activity in albania evidence from 2017 18 demographic and health survey |
| topic | Physical activity Socioeconomic factors Double hurdle model Gender differences Albania |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-022-00930-2 |
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