The aim of this study was to develop instructions for using accelerometers to measure physical activity in Brazil. This manuscript is a review and synthesis of scientific papers that have used accelerometers for objective physical activity assessment in different age groups as well as studies providing directions for using activity monitors in large-scale studies. In this study, we present instructions for the pre-data collection (selection of monitor; unit calibration, firmware update, pilot study, protocol definition), data collection (monitor distribution, contacting participants, monitor return) and post-data collection (data processing, transformation and interpretation) phases. We describe procedures for facilitating decision making related to using accelerometers, as well as for obtaining valid and reliable accelerometer physical activity data. This set of instructions is an initiative of a group of physical activity researchers with the purpose of contributing to methodologically advance the field of objective physical activity measurement in Brazil. The current set of instructions intend to facilitate the standardization of procedures for collecting physical activity data with accelerometers in Brazil and, thus, for ascertaining future comparability of data collected in different studies.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of the main perceived barriers to leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and their associations with the frequency of LTPA in a representative sample of industrial workers from Brazil (n = 47,477), according to their income strata (low income: ≤$US280, middle income: $US281-$US1400, and high income: ≥$US1401). Data were collected between 2006 and 2008 via questionnaires about the main perceived barrier to LTPA and the frequency of LTPA. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to evaluate differences among groups. There was a lower prevalence of regular practice of LTPA in the low- (15.8%) and middle-income strata (18.2%) than among the individuals of the high-income stratum (27.6%). A large proportion of workers who regularly participated in LTPA reported no barriers (low: 43.1%; middle: 46.8%; high: 51.6%). Additional obligations and fatigue were the two most common perceived barriers in all family income strata among participants who engaged in different frequencies of LTPA. The odds for all perceived barriers showed a positive trend related to frequency of LTPA (from regular to no LTPA), with higher values according to income. In summary, the ordering of the main perceived barriers to LTPA differed according to workers' income stratum and frequency of engaging in LTPA.

This paper aims to verify the association between the combined relationship of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour (SB) at leisure-time and the prevalence of noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) in Brazilian adults and elderly. This is a cross-sectional study, derived from the VIGITEL system, with individuals ≥18 years old (n = 52,675). The presence of NCDs (diabetes, hypertension, and obesity) and the independent variables were defined by self-report. Binary logistic regression was used. While adults with the presence of, at least, one risky behaviour had a higher odds to have obesity (

This study aimed to investigate whether attitudes towards body weight dissatisfaction is associated with perceived health and impairments in sleep among a national population-based sample of Brazilian adolescents. This is a cross-sectional data from the 2015 National School-Based Health Survey (PeNSE). A total of 100.182 students (70.8% were between 14 to 15) in ninth-grade, enrolled in public and private schools were eligible for data analysis. Variables were measured using a questionnaire and binary logistic regression was used. There was association between attitudes towards body weight dissatisfaction and perceived health (not controlling weight = OR: 2.19, 95%CI: 2.00-2.40; trying to lose = OR: 1.90, 95%CI: 1.75-2.05; gain = OR: 2.22, 95%CI: 2.01-2.46; maintain = OR: 1.81, 95%CI: 1.54-2.14). Adolescents were also more likely to present impairments in sleep (not controlling weight = OR: 1.21, 95%CI: 1.11-1.32; trying to lose = OR: 1.16, 95%CI: 1.08-1.25; gain = OR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.28-1.61; maintain = OR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.22-2.68). Dissatisfaction is an additional concern in the daily life of adolescents, which is associated to depreciation of the quality of sleep and decrement of psychological well-being.

Os objetivos do estudo foram analisar os fatores sociodemográficos e psicossociais associados à prática de atividade física no tempo de lazer (AFTL), e testar a interação entre o gosto e a preferência por atividade física (AF) sobre a prática de AFTL, de acordo com o sexo. Trata-se de um estudo transversal (projeto CompAC 2011) e representativo dos estudantes (15 a 19 anos de idade) do ensino médio das escolas estaduais de Santa Catarina, Brasil (n= 6.529). A variável desfecho foi a realização de alguma AFTL, definida por autorrelato (sim/não). As variáveis de exposição foram fatores sociodemográficos (idade, área de residência, arranjo familiar, turno de estudo, situação ocupacional, renda familiar e escolaridade materna) e psicossociais (gosto e preferência pela prática de AF). Regressão logística binária e o teste de interação de fatores foram realizados. A AFTL esteve associada com o turno de estudo (ORnoturno= 0,59) e a escolaridade materna nos rapazes (ORensino médio= 1,64; ORensino superior= 1,55) e, nas moças, com a idade (OR17 anos= 0,70; OR18 anos= 0,42), o turno de estudo (ORnoturno= 0,57) e a renda familiar (OR≥ 6 salários mínimos= 1,42). O gosto e a preferência também influenciam positivamente a realização da AF em ambos os sexos (rapazes: ORgosta= 4,46; ORprefere= 5,70 e moças: ORgosta= 4,04; ORprefere= 3,10). Por fim, observou-se um efeito sinergista entre os fatores psicossociais, indicando que aumentar essas percepções pode promover maior engajamento em AFTL nessa população. Pode-se concluir que alguns fatores sociodemográficos parecem ter maior relação com a prática de AFTL que outros, e que o gosto e a preferência por AF apresentam associação e interação positiva com a AFTL.