Physical activity patterns in Jordanian and Hungarian women: a comparative study of physical activity domains & levels

Introduction: Physical inactivity is a major global public health concern, with women consistently reporting lower activity levels than men. Beyond total activity volume, examining domains of activity—leisure, transportation, occupational, and domestic—is essential, as participation patterns are strongly shaped by socio-cultural influences. Objective: This study was to compare total physical activity levels and domain-specific activity patterns among women in Jordan and Hungary. Methodology: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted involving 800 adult women aged 18–45 years (Jordan: n = 399; Hungary: n = 401) residing in Amman and Budapest. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Total physical activity was expressed as MET-minutes/week and classified into low, moderate, or high levels. Non-parametric statistical tests (Mann–Whitney U and Chi-Square) were applied to examine differences in activity levels and domain-specific participation between groups. Results: Hungarian women demonstrated significantly higher total physical activity than Jordanian women (median MET-minutes/week: 918.0 vs. 464.3; p < .001) and were more likely to meet health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) recommendations. Nearly two-thirds of Jordanian women were classified as having low activity levels. Clear domain-specific differences were observed: Hungarian women accumulated activity mainly through leisure-time (91.8%) and active transportation (58.9%), whereas Jordanian women relied on occupational (69.9%) and domestic activities (30.3) (p ≤ .001 for all comparisons). Conclusions: Marked cross-cultural differences exist in both the level and domains of physical activity among women in Jordan and Hungary, highlighting the need for culturally and contextually tailored public health interventions rather than universal approaches.