WHO defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Physical activity refers to all movement including during leisure time, for transport to get to and from places or as part of a person’s work. Both moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity improve health. Popular ways to be active include walking, cycling, wheeling, sports, active recreation and play and can be done at any level of skill and for enjoyment by everybody [1].

Regular physical activity is proven to help prevent and manage non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and several cancers. It also helps prevent hypertension, maintain healthy body weight and can improve mental health, quality of life and well-being [1]. 

Optimum and good quality of sleep are pertinent to the health and equilibrium of biological functions. Sleep is essential for cognitive development, learning, growth and good health. Sleep is not only seen as a physiological phenomenon but also as a behavioural process. Research has shown diminishing hours of sleep in both developing and developed countries. Alcohol consumption, smoking, loud music, using electronic gadgets for watching movies, gaming, viewing television (TV), talking on the phone and text messaging have all been shown to adversely affect sleep patterns and quality [2-7].

Screen time refers to the amount of time spent and the diverse activities performed online using digital devices. For instance, screen time encompasses both, using digital devices for work purposes (regulated hours of work or educational purpose) as well as for leisure and entertainment (unregulated hours of gaming, viewing pornography or social media use). With an advancement of digital technology, excessive screen time has become a grave concern [8].

A number of studies have done in different parts of the India to see the pattern of Yoga, Walking, Sleep & Screen hours; such studies are limited in hilly areas   of District Shimla. Thus, the present study was developed to evaluate the pattern of Yoga, Walking, Sleep & Screen hours among adult population of District Shimla.

Objectives of the Study

To evaluate the pattern of Yoga, Walking, Sleep & Screen hours among adult population of District Shimla.

Research Methodology

• Research Approach: Descriptive

• Research Design: Cross-sectional survey design

• Study area: District Shimla

• Study duration: between September 2021- October 2021 

• Study population: Adults population aged between 18-60 years

• Sample size: 400 adults assuming 50% adults have adequate knowledge regarding Yoga, Walking, Sleep & Screen hours 5% absolute error, 95% confidence level and 5% non-response rate.

• Study tool: A google form questionnaire consisting of questions regarding socio-demography and pattern of Yoga, Walking, Sleep & Screen hours were created. 

• Inclusive Criteria: who were willing to participate in the study.

• Exclusion Criteria: who were not willing to participate in the study

• Validity of tool - by the experts in this field

Data Collection

Data was collected under the guidance of supervisors. The google form questionnaire was circulated via online modes like e-mail and social media platforms like WhatsApp groups, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Responses were then recorded in a Google Excel spreadsheet, the information from which was used to generate graphical display.

Data Analysis

Data was collected and entered in Microsoft excel spread sheet, cleaned for errors and analyzed with Epi Info V7 Software with appropriate statistical test in terms of frequencies, percentage, mean standard deviation etc.

Ethical Considerations

Participants confidentiality and anonymity was maintained.

Present study was developed to evaluate the pattern of Yoga, Walking, Sleep & Screen hours among adult population of District Shimla. A total of 400 respondents including 194(48.5%) females and 206(51.5%) males from district Shimla were participated in the study. Among the participants of the majority 189(47.3%) were in age group of 31-40 years, 159(39.8%) were in Govt Job,338 (84.5%) were graduate & above, 235 (58.8%) were from urban area and 387(96.8%) were belong to Hindu Religion (Table 1).

Among the total 400 study participants, majority 213(53.3%) were doing exercise/yoga for one hour a day while 161(40.3%) were not doing exercise/yoga at all in a day (Table 2).

Among the total 400 study participants, majority 165 (41.3%) were walk for at least 30 minutes in a day while 101(25.6%) were walk for ≥at least 150 minutes in a day (Table 3).

Among the total 400 study participants, majority 332 (83.1%) were sleeping 6-8 hours in a day while 37 (9.5%) were sleeping <6 hours & 31(7.8%) were sleeping > 8 hours in a day (Table 4).

Among the total 400 study participants, majority 82 (20.5%) were using mobile, Laptop, TV for 3 hours and 370 (92.7%) were using mobile, Laptop, TV for ≥2 hours (Table 5).

Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics of study participants

Table 2: Pattern of exercise/yoga among participants

Table 3: Pattern of walking among participants

Table 4: Pattern of sleeping among participants

Table 5: Pattern of Screen Hours among participants

Understanding the pattern of physical activity, sleeping and screening hour is very essential to develop effective intervention for promoting health and minimizing life style problems. 

In the current study, among the total 400 study participants, majority 213(53.3%) were doing exercise/yoga for one hour a day while 161(40.3%) were not doing exercise/yoga at all in a day. Majority 165 (41.3%) were walk for at least 30 minutes in a day while 101(25.6%) were walk for ≥at least 150 minutes in a day. 

As per WHO guidelines, adults aged 18–64 years should do at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week. They should also do muscle-strengthening activities at moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week, as these provide additional health benefits. They may increase moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity to more than 300 minutes; or do more than 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week for additional health benefits. They should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity of any intensity (including light intensity) provides health benefits and to help reduce the detrimental effects of high levels of sedentary behaviour on health, all adults and older adults should aim to do more than the recommended levels of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity. In 2018, the World Health Assembly agreed on a global target to reduce physical inactivity by 15% by 2030 and align with the Sustainable Development Goals [1].

A Nationwide Study done by Podder et al. [9] found that 20% of participants were physically inactive and 57% of the people were either inactive or mildly active. 21.2% of females were found physically inactive, whereas 19.2% of males were inactive. Individuals living in urban localities were proportionately more inactive (21.7% vs. 18.8%) or mildly active (38.9% vs. 34.8%) than the rural people. 

In our study, among the total 400 study participants, majority 332 (83.1%) were sleeping 6-8 hours in a day while 37 (9.5%) were sleeping <6 hours & 31(7.8%) were sleeping > 8 hours in a day. Studies have shown that adults require at least 8 hours of sleep at night. Those who sleep lesser than this show signs of sleep deficit including daytime sleepiness. Deprivation of sleep at night is also associated with an increased risk for hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular risk. Further, poor sleep duration, sleep quality and sleepiness during daytime significantly impact the performance of a person [10-13].

In the present study, among the total 400 study participants, majority 82 (20.5%) were using mobile, Laptop, TV for 3 hours and 370 (92.7%) were using mobile, Laptop, TV for ≥2 hours. prolonged screen time has caused concerns related to its impact on physical and mental health. While mindful (and regulated) use of digital devices is linked with well-being, excessive screen time is reported to be associated with a range of negative mental health outcomes such as psychological problems, low emotional stability and greater risk for depression or anxiety [14,15].

Majority of study participants do not meet the physical activity, screen hour and sleeping pattern recommended by the World Health Organization. This puts a large Indian population at risk of developing various NCDs. This can be improved by promoting home-based exercises, such as yoga and walking at least 30 minutes a day.It is also very crucial to regulate screen time & sleeping pattern of the adults, so that they lead a healthy life presently and in future. 

Health promotion campaigns in this concern needs to be organized by the health care workers in this area to encourage the creation of favorable environment.

1. World Health Organization. Physical Activity. Available at: https:// www. who. int/ news- room/ fact-sheets/ detail/ physical- activity. Accessed 20 Oct. 2021.

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5. Staum, M.J. and M. Brotons. "The effect of music amplitude on the relaxation response." Journal of Music Therapy, vol. 37, 2000, pp. 22–39.

6. Kuriyan, R. et al. "Television viewing and sleep are associated with overweight among urban and semi-urban South Indian children." Nutrition Journal, vol. 6, 2007, p. 25.

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8. Data Reportal. Digital: 2020 Global Digital Overview. Available at: https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2020-global-digital-overview. Accessed 21 Oct. 2021.

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12. Garaulet, M. et al. "Short sleep duration is associated with increased obesity markers in European adolescents: effect of physical activity and dietary habits." The HELENA Study. International Journal of Obesity, vol. 35, 2011, pp. 1308–1317.

13. Mullington, J.M. et al. "Cardiovascular, inflammatory and metabolic consequences of sleep deprivation." Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, vol. 51, 2009, pp. 294–302.

14. Allen, M.S. et al. "Sedentary behaviour and risk of anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis." Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 242, 2019, pp. 5–13.

15. Rahman, M.A. et al. "Factors associated with psychological distress, fear and coping strategies during the covid-19 pandemic in Australia." Global Health, vol. 16, 2020, pp. 1–15.