Level of Physical Activity and Relationship with Alcohol Use Among Youth: A Cross-sectional Study
Research Article Manmohan Yadav,1 Vadlamudi Siddarth,2 Vishal Chauhan,3 Anju Gahlot4 1,2,3MBBS Student, Rama Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, 4Prof Department of Community Medicine, RMCHRC, Kanpur. Submitted: 18 June 2024; Accepted: 28 June 2024; Published: 29 June 2024 Corresponding Author: Vishal Chauhan, MBBS Student, Rama Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Kanpur. Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT Background: Alcohol use and physical inactivity are major risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. Adequate physical activity keeps one healthy, but a sedentary lifestyle may contribute to other unhealthy practices like Alcohol use. They address them more strategically. Objectives: To assess the level of physical activity and identify its association with Alcohol use among college-going youth at Rama University, Kanpur. Material & Methods: Data on physical activity and Alcohol use were collected from students aged 18-24 studying medical and non-medical courses at Rama University through an online questionnaire. We used a self-modified questionnaire based on the Global Adult Alcohol Survey (GATS) to assess Alcohol use status and the GPAQ (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire) to assess physical activity. Results: The chance of consuming Alcohol is significantly lower among physically active respondents. Conclusions: Our findings indicate a significant relationship between physical activity and Alcohol use among youth. Promotion of physical activity may be a useful educational tool for reducing Alcohol use. Introduction Alcohol use is an important modifiable risk factor for major non-communicable diseases NCDs [1]. Globally, more than 1.1 billion people use Alcohol, which is significantly more common among males than females. This alarming number represents about one-third of the global population aged 15 years and above [2]. The problem is of particular concern in India, where tobacco-related mortality is highest. According to the Global Adult Alcohol Survey 2016-17, current Alcohol users in India among youth aged 15-24 years is 12.4% [3.4]. People who start using Alcohol at an early age are more likely to develop serious health complications [5]. According to the ICMR-INDIAB study, 54.4% of the Indian population surveyed were found to be physically inactive [6]. Recently, India’s performance was fairly poor in the concurrent preparation of Report Cards on the physical activity of children and youth in 38 world countries [7]. Growing evidence reveals a bidirectional relationship between Alcohol use and physical activity. Another systematic review shows that exercise seems to have a protective effect against smoking as well as a supportive impact on smoking cessation treatments[8]. Aims and Objective This study assesses the relationship between tobacco use and physical activity among college-going youth at Rama University, Kanpur. MATERIAL&METHODS Study Type: Cross-sectional study. Study Population: A college-based survey was conducted among the youth population. StudyArea: RamaUniversity, Kanpur. PeriodofStudy:01October,2023 to 28 October, 2023[4Weeks] SampleSize: 200 Sampling Method: Simple Random Method inclusion criteria: exclusion criteria: Strategy for collection: All students were divided into two strata – Medical & Non-Medical. The field investigator (FI)visited the students and explained the needs, objectives, and methodology for the study. Then a google form was shared among the students. The respondents were briefed up about the study objectives and were encouraged to clarify doubts before or during filling up the questionnaire. No names or emails were collected to maintain the anonymity of the respondents. We used a self-modified questionnaire based on the Global Adult Alcohol Survey (GATS) for assessing Alcohol use status and GPAQ (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire) for assessment of physical activity. RESULTS The study included 200 students aged 18-24 from medical and non-medical courses. The majority were males (72.5%). Current alcohol users were 13%, and least physical activity was observed in 27.5%. [Table1] The socio-demographic profile along with Alcohol use and level of physical activity of respondents is shown in [Table-1] The relationship between physical activity and Alcohol use among youth [Table] shows that non-alcohol users were physically more active (moderately active, 58.6% +veryactive,15.5%=74.1%) compared to Alcohol users (moderately active, 34.6% + very active, 26.9% = 61.5%). The inactivity level was higher among Alcohol users (38.4%) as compared to non-alcohol users (25.8%). The relationship between Gender and Alcohol use [Table 4] shows that there were more Alcohol users in males (69.4%) as compared to females (30.6%). Gender: Do You Want to Quit alcohol to enhance your physical activities? How much time has passed since you started consuming alcohol? Have you noticed a reduction in your physique or stamina due to consuming alcohol? TABLE 1: SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHICPROFILEOFCOLLEGEGOINGYOUTHOFRAMAUNIVERSITY, KANPUR Variable Number(N=200) % Male 112 56.5% Gender Female 88 43.5% 18-20 104 52.5% Age Group(years) 21-22 54 27.% 23-24 42 21.5% Non-Alcoholusers 170 85% Alcohol Use(Present) Alcoholusers 30 15% Alcohol Use(Past) Non-Alcohol users 166 83% [Last consumption of Alcohol>1year back] Alcohol users 34 17% Not so Active 55 27.5% Physical Activity Level Moderately Active 109 54.5% Very Active 36 18% TABLE 2: RELATIONSHIPOFPHYSICALACTIVITYANDALCOHOLUSEAMONGYOUTH Physical ActivityLevel Non-Alcohol users(N=170) Alcohol users(N=30) Numbers % Numbers % NotsoActive 44 22% 12 6% Moderately Active 100 50% 10 5% VeryActive 26 13% 8 4% TABLE 3: RELATIONSHIP OF GENDER AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Gender PhysicalActivityLevel Not so Active (N=55) Moderately Active (N=109) Very Active(N=36) Numbers % Numbers % Numbers % Male 44 80% 76 69.7% 25 69.4% Female 11 20% 33 30.3% 11 30.6% TABLE 4: RELATIONSHIPOFGENDERANDALCOHOLUSE Gender Male Female Non-Alcohol users (N=174) Alcohol users(N=26) Numbers % Numbers % 98 57.6% 22 83.4% 72 42.4% 8 26.6% DISCUSSION The present study was an attempt to assess the level of physical activity and its relationship with Alcohol use. We found that almost one-fourth of the participants were physically inactive, and almost one-fourth of the participants were exposed to tobacco. Both these variables showed significant inverse associations in the study. Another finding observed in