Association Between Physical Activity and Overweight/Obesity in Rural Populations: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Overweight and obesity are emerging public health concerns in rural India due to rapid lifestyle transitions and declining physical activity. Evidence regarding their association with physical activity in rural central India remains limited. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to assess their association with physical activity among adults in rural areas of Jabalpur district. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 770 rural adults selected through multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a predesigned questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and the WHO Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Body Mass Index (BMI) was classified using WHO criteria. Physical activity was categorized as low (<600 MET-min/week), moderate (600–2999 MET-min/week), and high (≥3000 MET-min/week). Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression were applied. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 20.8% (12.5% overweight and 8.3% obesity). Overweight/obesity was significantly higher among participants with low physical activity (20.9%) compared to moderate (6.8%) and high activity levels (9.6%) (χ²=32.08, p=0.001). Moderate/high physical activity showed a significant protective association against overweight/obesity (OR=0.233; 95% CI: 0.149–0.365; p=0.001). Educational status, occupation, and socioeconomic status were significantly associated with overweight/obesity, while age, gender, religion, caste, and marital status were not significantly associated. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity are increasing in rural populations of Jabalpur district. Low physical activity is a significant modifiable risk factor. Strengthening community-based interventions to promote physical activity may help reduce the growing burden of obesity in rural settings.