Published Paper Details:

Abstract: In Urban adults overweight and obesity are the most significant problems. The consumption of fruits and vegetables is low in Urban areas as compared with Rural areas. High intake of outside foods, junk foods, unhealthy foods, and lesser physical activity is seen in Urban areas which is mostly associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Objective: To study the lifestyle, physical activity, and Dietary pattern among adults in urban and rural areas in Maharashtra. Methodology: A total of 177 participants (Rural- 91; Urban- 86) from Dawargaon, Dongargaon, and mevhna Dist. Jalna (Rural) and Aurangabad, Nashik, and Mumbai (Urban) were selected for the study. The personal interview cum questionnaire method was used to collect the data from Rural and some Urban participants and the google form was used to collect the data from the remaining Urban participants. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess physical activity and 3 days 24 hours dietary recall was used to assess the dietary status. SPSS (version 20) software was used to analyze the data and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Statistically significant difference was found in lifestyle, physical activity and dietary patterns in the Rural and Urban participants. All the anthropometric measurements were higher in Urban participants as compared with Rural participants (p=<0.05). Urban participants lived a sedentary lifestyle (60.5%) and Rural participants mostly were heavy workers (65.9%). Almost all the Rural participants (97.8%) work outside the home as they do farm work, because of that their vigorous (Rural- 92.3%: Urban- 32.6%) and moderate (Rural- 86.8%: Urban- 25.6%) physical activity at work was higher than Urban participants (p=<0.05). Frequency of eating seasonal fruits and vegetables and milk and milk products was high in Rural participants as compared with Urban participants (p=<0.05). Outside food consumption (Urban- 93%; Rural- 20.9%) and junk food consumption (Urban- 83.7%; Rural- 31.9) was higher in urban areas (p=<0.05). Conclusion: Rural participants lifestyle, physical activity and dietary patterns were better than Urban participants. However, in the Rural areas, there is a need for good educational infrastructure facilities and in Urban participants, there is a need for more promotion of nutrition information and education about overall physical activity, healthy lifestyle and healthy balanced diet.