A cross-sectional study exploring the sitting time of afghans and other South Asian youth in the UK

Safi, Ayazullah and Khawaja, Irfan and Alkhatib, Ahmad and Collins, Peter and Myers, Tony (2025) A cross-sectional study exploring the sitting time of afghans and other South Asian youth in the UK. Discover Public Health, 22 (1). ISSN 3005-0774

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Abstract

Introduction

Prolong sitting time (ST) contributes to obesity and numerous Non-Communicable Diseases including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Concerning evidence on young people’s health has reported an increase in ST, the young British South Asians (BSA) is under explored. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the ST of BSA community, specifically focusing on Afghans, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Indian groups.

Methods

Young BSA from the UK West Midlands region (mean age 15.4 ± 0.5 years) (Total: n = 191, (females: n = 93; males: n = 98) participated in this study. ST was measured based on self-reported total sitting hours using The International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form. Data were modelled using a Bayesian approach to determine differences in ST.

Results

The findings indicated that the majority of the BSA young people across ethnicities spent prolonged time being sitting. Young people from Indian ethnicity had the highest estimated marginal mean ST (482.23. 95% CI [410.49, 554.73]) and the Afghans the lowest estimated marginal mean ST (344.61, 95% CI [280.22, 411.33]).

Discussion

This study emphasised a worryingly high percentage of young people from each BSA ethnic group spending prolong ST. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore and compare the inter-population differences in ST within BSA minority ethnicities, including Afghan population in the UK.

Conclusion

The present findings provide a rationale for further scrutiny on key objective and qualitative determinants contributing to ST within different ethnicities among BSA young people.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1186/s12982-025-00621-7
Dates:	Date Event 23 April 2025 Accepted 11 May 2025 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Sedentary behaviour, Sitting, Physical activity, British South Asian, Young people, Ethnic minority, Health, Well-being
Subjects:	CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-02 - sport and exercise sciences > CAH03-02-01 - sport and exercise sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences > College of Life Sciences
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	03 Jul 2025 13:32
Last Modified:	03 Jul 2025 13:32
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16466

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