Physical Activity in Socially Less-advantaged Bangladeshi Manual Workers – A Qualitative Study

Abstract Background International recommendations for the regular physical activity required to maintain mental and physical health are mainly based on leisure-time physical activity in high-socioeconomic groups and developed countries. This social and methodological bias in the literature contributes to less-advantaged groups in other parts of the world not being given justice regarding physical activity. This qualitative study aims to explore Bangladeshi manual workers’ descriptions and perceptions of physical activity practices in their everyday lives. Methods Twelve interviews were conducted with house helpers, street vendors, garment manufacturing company workers, one rickshaw puller, and one carpenter recruited from the streets and neighbourhoods of Dhaka. The interview analyses were inductive and data-driven, adopting a reflexive thematic analysis approach. Results Seven themes were identified from the interviews, including two exhibiting physical activity perceptions of the informants representing a less-advantaged social group. According to the results, the low incomes of workers drive them to manually ‘work around the clock’, without any day off. Strenuous work for 12–17 h per day and additional hours of manual domestic activities for the women, in addition to active transport to and from work, result in a physically active day of up to 20 h. Being tied up with occupational and transport physical activity in busy surroundings, the informants lack the time and space, as well as the energy, for recreational activities. In addition, their working conditions cause body pain and discomfort. Physical activity is perceived as good for people who are treated for hypertension or diabetes; however, it is perceived as superfluous in the lives of manual workers. In addition, the desired recreational physical activity is seen as a luxury reserved for the rich. Conclusion This study provides empirical evidence about the physically strenuous everyday lives of less-advantaged workers in an underdeveloped country. The results can inform future researchers and policymakers about the importance of an integrated approach, taking into account all physical activity domains and the limited possibilities within a tough socioeconomic context, while simultaneously moderating the exalted eagerness of counting minutes per week in leisure-time physical activity.