Effectiveness of physical activity promotion in blood pressure and blood sugar reduction: a community-based intervention study in rural south India.

Abstract

CONTEXT:

Physical activity of moderate intensity for 30 minutes a day, on most days substantially reduces the risk of many chronic diseases.

AIM:

To assess the effect of regular physical activity on blood pressure and blood sugar levels in a rural Indian community

SETTINGS AND DESIGN:

This community-based study was carried out in Periakattupalayam and Rangareddipalayam in south India, with 485 subjects, aged 20 to 49 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

THE STUDY WAS DONE IN FIVE PHASES: Awareness campaign, baseline assessment of participants, intervention phase (10 weeks), interim, and final assessment. Physical activity of moderate intensity (brisk walking for 30 minutes on four days / week) was promoted by forming 30 small walking groups, in a home-based setting, with professional supervision. Village leaders and Self-Help Group members were the resource people for the promotion of physical activity.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:

Analysis was done by using paired 't' test; the 'Intention-to-Treat' approach was utilized for the interpretation of the findings of the study.

RESULTS:

Of the 485 subjects, 265 (54.6%) complied with walking on more than four days / week, while 156 (32.2%) walked on one to four days / week, and 64 (13.2%) dropped out during the intervention period. This study has shown that a 10-week intervention to promote physical activity was effective in significantly decreasing the population's BP by 1.56 / 0.74 mm Hg, fasting blood sugar levels by 2.82 mg%, body weight by 0.17 kg, and BMI by 0.06 kg / m(2).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study has proved the functional feasibility of enabling people to undertake physical activity in a rural Indian community, and the effectiveness of using physical activity, to significantly reduce the population's mean BP and blood sugar levels.

• Authors: Subitha Lakshminarayanan, Soudarssanane M Bala, Murugesan Ramanujam, G Kannan
• Journal: Journal of family & community medicine (J Family Community Med) Vol. 19 Issue 2 Pg. 81-7 (May 2012) ISSN: 2229-340X [Electronic] India
• PMID: 22870410 (Publication Type: Journal Article)