Effect of Self-reported Physical Activity on Glycaemia and Blood Pressure in Healthy Participants from Bissau: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Recent data show a dramatic increase in non-communicable diseases in developing countries, including cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. Most of these diseases may be preventable and to some extent treatable by alterations in physical activity. We investigated the correlations of physical activity levels, according to energy expenditure [measured in metabolic equivalent minutes per week (METs x min/week)] with fasting glycaemia levels, blood pressure, body compositions and anthropometric variables in participants from Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. Method: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess levels of physical activity, by calculating METs x min/week. These were subsequently divided into low, moderate or high physical activity categories in a healthy group of participants. Fasting glucose, arterial blood pressure, body mass index and body fat were also assessed. Data was analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. Results: 429 participants were included from sports and health facilities around the country. Of these, 187 were highly active (> 3000 MET × min/ week or at least 1500 METs × min/week) and had a mean age of 26.8 ± 7.5 years. 76% (327/429) were male and 24% were female (102/429). The mean energy expenditure was 4866.7 ± 1241.2 METs × min/week and the mean fasting glucose was 94.0 ± 14.1 mg/dl. 4.1% (18/429) of the participants had diabetes and 12.8% (55/429) had hypertension. A significant negative correlation was found between blood glucose and total physical activity (r_s = − 0.117, p = 0.015). Sedentary participants had the highest proportion (5.1%) of diabetes and higher rates of hypertension (15.8%). These participants had the highest obesity (10.1%) and overweight prevalence (23.7%). In addition, they also presented the highest percentage (5.1%) of body fat, with 55% of them showing high or very high visceral fat% content. In the sedentary group, a significant positive correlation, was found, indicating a low moderate association, between systolic blood pressure and weekly sitting time, r_s(175) = 0.205, p = 0.006. Conclusion: While high levels of physical activity had a significant impact on glycaemia control, physical activity had no significant impact on blood pressure. However, weekly sitting time may increase blood pressure.