Correlation Between Physical Fitness and Perceived Stress Among Housewives in Ahmedabad

Abstract Background: Housewives in urban India often face significant psychological stress due to domestic responsibilities, social isolation, and limited access to structured physical activity. Physical fitness has been shown to influence mental well-being, yet its relationship with perceived stress in housewives remains underexplored. Materials and Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 housewives aged 30–50 years residing in Ahmedabad. Physical fitness was assessed using Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Perceived stress levels were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Statistical analysis included Pearson’s correlation to examine the relationship between fitness parameters and stress. Results: The study found a strong positive correlation between BMI and perceived stress (ρ = 0.723, p < 0.05), indicating that increased stress is associated with higher BMI. A moderate negative correlation was observed between 6MWT distance and stress (ρ = -0.482, p < 0.05), suggesting that lower stress levels is linked to better cardiorespiratory endurance. Conclusion: Perceived stress significantly influences Physical fitness among housewives. Elevated stress is associated with higher BMI, while reduced stress correlates with better endurance. Keywords Perceived Stress, Physical Fitness, BMI, 6-Minute Walk Test, Housewives, Ahmedabad, Mental Health