Physical activity levels and morbidities among bank employees of greater Kolkata, India

Abstract Background: Sedentary lifestyles and prolonged sitting among office workers, such as bank employees, are associated with a high burden of physical inactivity and chronic conditions. This study evaluates the physical activity levels and associated morbidities among bank employees in Greater Kolkata, India. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess physical activity levels, identify the burden of chronic conditions linked to physical inactivity, and explore associations of physical activity with demographic, occupational, and behavioral characteristics, as well as morbidities. Materials and Methods: This community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2024 and November 2024 in the Barrackpore II community development block, North 24 Parganas district, Kolkata. A total of 144 participants were selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected via inperson interviews based on World Health Organisation’s Global Physical Activity Questionairre version2. Results: The study revealed concerning health behavior trends: 73.6% of employees consumed junk food regularly, contributing to noncommunicable diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorders. Despite good vegetable intake, high unhealthy food consumption emerged as a significant risk factor. Surprisingly, employees with preexisting conditions such as hypertension and diabetes reported higher physical activity levels, possibly reflecting increased health awareness. An inverse relationship was noted between fruit consumption and physical activity, with regular fruit consumers reporting lower metabolic equivalent values, warranting further exploration. Factors such as working hours, addiction habits, and gender showed no significant associations with physical activity levels. Conclusion: This study underscores the urgent need for workplace health initiatives targeting diet and physical activity to mitigate sedentary lifestyle risks among bank employees. While limitations include self-reported data and a cross-sectional design, the findings provide critical insights into health behaviors and inform strategies for promoting healthier lifestyles in this occupational group.