Physical activity correlates among people with psychosis: Data from 47 low- and middle-income countries

People with schizophrenia engage in low levels of physical activity (PA). However, few large-scale studies have investigated the factors that may influence PA participation in individuals with psychosis and data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is especially scarce. Thus, we investigated PA correlates in a large sample of people with a psychosis diagnosis across 47 LMICs.

Cross-sectional data from the World Health Survey, restricting to those with a self-reported lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia/psychotic disorder, was analyzed. PA was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and participants were dichotomized into those that do and do not (low PA) meet the minimum recommended PA weekly targets (≥150min). A range of socio-demographic, health behavior, and mental and physical health variables were examined using random effects logistic regression.

Overall 2407 people (mean 42.0years, 41.5% males) with schizophrenia/psychosis were included. The prevalence of low PA was 39.2% (95%CI=37.0%-41.2%). Male sex (odds ratio (OR)=1.33), increasing age, unemployment (vs. employed OR=2.50), urban setting (vs. rural OR=1.75), inadequate fruit consumption (vs. adequate fruit intake OR=3.03), depression (OR=1.33), sleep/energy disturbance, and mobility limitations were significantly associated with low PA. Marital status, education, wealth, smoking, vegetable and alcohol consumption, anxiety, cognition, pain, and chronic medical conditions were not significant correlates.

PA is influenced by a range of factors among people with psychosis. These correlates should be considered in interventions aiming to facilitate PA in psychotic individuals living in LMICs.