Assessing physical activity literacy and practices among adults in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study

Physical inactivity among adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a growing public health concern, contributing to chronic diseases and increased healthcare burdens. Understanding physical activity literacy (PAL) and behaviour, along with associated sociodemographic factors, is essential for designing effective interventions.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 630 adults in UAE, using a validated self-administered questionnaire. The tool assessed knowledge of physical activity and its health benefits, engagement in physical activity, and sociodemographic characteristics. Knowledge scores were categorized as 'good' (≥ 6) and 'poor' (≤ 5). Data were analysed using SPSS version 28, for associations between literacy, behavior, and demographic factors were analyzed using chi-square tests, with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported.

Most participants (95.2%) demonstrated good knowledge of physical activity benefits, though misconceptions persisted regarding its effects on HIV/AIDS (32.4% incorrect) and blood pressure (28.9% incorrect). A high proportion (97.3%) reported engaging in physical activity, with 61% moderately active (3-5 times/week) and 19% highly active (6-7 times/week). There was no statistically significant association between knowledge level and physical activity performance (p = 0.192; odds ratio = 0.359, 95% CI: 0.078-1.647). Significant associations were observed between literacy level and gender (p = 0.001) as well as employment status (p = 0.002), with females and unemployed individuals more likely to have higher literacy. Physical activity engagement was not significantly associated with any sociodemographic variable.

Although both knowledge and participation levels are high among adults in UAE, targeted educational interventions are needed to address persistent misconceptions, especially regarding specific health outcomes. Tailoring these interventions based on gender and employment status may improve their effectiveness and promote sustained physical activity engagement across different population groups in the UAE.