SUMMARY OBJECTIVE We investigated the associations between objectively assessed sedentary behavior (SB) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and body composition variables among a representative sample of Brazilian adults. METHODS Using an accelerometer, SB and MVPA were monitored for at least 5 days in 524 participants (261 men; age, 18-65 years). Each minute epoch was classified as sedentary or spent in light, moderate, or vigorous physical activity (LPA, MPA, and VPA, respectively). The measured body composition variables included abdominal perimeter (AP) and neck circumference (NC). RESULTS Men accumulated significantly more min/day of MPA (37.82 versus 27.28), VPA (1.10 versus 0.31), MVPA (39.02 versus 27.61), and steps/day (14,978 versus 13,443) than women (p<.001). In men, MPA, VPA, MVPA, and steps/day were negatively associated with AP (p<.05) independently of SB. Only VPA was significantly associated with NC (β= 0.113; p=.002). In women, only SB was significantly associated with AP (β= 0.003; p=.031). There were no significant associations between physical activity intensities and body composition in women. CONCLUSIONS Our findings on the unequal association of physical activity with body composition variables between sexes can help inform future intervention strategies in Brasil.

The aim of this study was to describe the use of active transportation to school (ATS) for Brazilian children and adolescents through a systematic review. This review was carried out from February to March of 2018 by using databases from the area, governmental policies and research and by contacting researchers from this area. The databases used were: LILACS; BIREME; SCIELO; MEDLINE and SCOPUS. The search was performed in articles published from January 2007 to December 2017. The inclusion criteria were: original articles published in journals; articles that measured ATS; articles that evaluated Brazilian children and/or adolescents with ages ranging between 0 and 19 years of age, without specific clinical conditions, without diagnoses of diseases and non-athletes. Overall, 19 articles were selected for this study. Only 8 presented ATS values for gender, with boys and girls using ATS similarly, 4 for each gender. Regarding regions, 11 studies presented data from the Southern regions, 3 studies presented data from the Southeastern region, 3 from the Northeastern region and 2 studies presented data from Brazil as a whole. The Northern and Midwestern regions were not studied in any of the articles. Based on the results, the prevalence of ATS for children and adolescents varies according to the studies and regions in Brazil. Authorities should be encouraged to build monitoring systems for ATS to support planning and evaluation of public policies.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the associations of the perceived neighborhood built environment with walking and cycling for transport in inhabitants from Latin American countries. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 9218 participants (15–65 years) from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health, which included a nationally representative sample of eight countries. All participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form for measure walking and cycling for transport and the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated. Furthermore, perceived proximity from home to public open spaces and shopping centers was assessed. Results: Perceived land use mix-access (OR: 1.32; 95%CI: 1.16,1.50) and the existence of many alternative routes in the neighbourhood (1.09 1.01,1.17) were associated with higher odds of reporting any walking for transport (≥10 min/week). Perceived slow speed of traffic (1.88 1.82,1.93) and few drivers exceeding the speed limits (1.92; 1.86,1.98) were also related to higher odds of reporting any walking for transport. The odds of reporting any cycling for transport (≥10 min/week) were higher in participants perceiving more walking/cycling facilities (1.87 1.76,1.99), and better aesthetics (1.22 1.09,1.38). Conclusions: Dissimilar perceived neighborhood built environment characteristics were associated with walking and cycling for transport among inhabitants from Latin America.

– The aim of this study was to update a systematic review on the relationship between the environment and physical activity among Brazilian children and adolescents. The search for articles for this review was performed in the MEDLINE, LILACS / BIREME, and SCIELO databases. For this update, only articles published in 2018 and 2019 were used. Descriptors were defined in English and Portuguese. The Boolean used for the advanced search was used, with 3 main blocks: environment, physical activity, and population. Additional filters were used in accordance with the structure of a database. In all, 5 articles were included in this systematic review, 4 with a population-based sample and 1 with a school-based sample. Among the selected studies, 4 were carried out in the southern region of Brazil (2 in Santa Catarina; 1 in Rio Grande do Sul; 1 in Paraná) and the other article was carried out with a national sample. The research period ranged between 2012 and 2017, with a sample size ranging from 38 volunteers to 102,072 participants. The environmental indicators found were road safety, the existence and use of spaces for the practice of physical activity, the characteristics of the school, and the possibility of practice in the school environment. It was concluded that environmental indicators can enhance the practice of physical activity among young Brazilians, requiring public policies that develop environmental projects to promote physical activity.

The aim of this study was to update a systematic review on the use of active transportation to school in Brazilian children and adolescents. All studies were extracted from the LILACS; BIREME; SCIELO and MEDLINE. The search was carried out on manuscripts published in the period 2018-2019. The descriptors were used in Portuguese, English and Spanish. In overall, 8 manuscripts were included in this systematic review, with 1 presenting data from three periods (2009, 2012 and 2015). The study data were obtained between 2009 and 2015 and the age group found between 7 to 19 years old. Of the selected articles, 2 presented national data, 1 from the north, 2 from the northeast, 1 from the southeast and 2 from the south of Brazil. The use of active transportation was superior to passive transportation on 6 occasions and its use was common in boys than in girls (4 of 6 articles). The use of active transportation is still more common than passive transportation in most Brazilian regions, although some cities have the opposite. The results suggest that the prevalence of active transportation is higher in boys than girls. Public policies must be created to favor the use of active transportation among Brazilian youth.