Physical activity in adults from two Brazilian areas: similarities and differences

Abstract

Lack of comparability has been a major limitation in studies on physical activity, due to the utilization of different methodological instruments and inconsistent cut-off points. This study aims to compare the levels of physical activity in adults from two Brazilian areas: (a) São Paulo, the richest State in the country; (b) Pelotas, a medium-sized southern Brazilian city. Both sites used cross-sectional population-based designs, with multiple-stage sampling strategies. Level of physical activity was assessed with the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Prevalence of sedentary lifestyle was three times higher in Pelotas than in São Paulo. On the other hand, the proportion of very active subjects was significantly higher in Pelotas. The proportion of insufficiently active individuals (sedentary + irregularly active) was almost identical between the sites. Socioeconomic status was inversely related to level of physical activity in both sites. Among the insufficiently active subjects, those living in São Paulo are at least engaged in a limited amount of activity. On the other hand, among sufficiently active people, those living in Pelotas are more active.

Freqüência de hábitos saudáveis de alimentação medidos a partir dos 10 Passos da Alimentação Saudável do Ministério da Saúde: Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

“…Esse achado é compatível com os encontrados em outros estudos 21,22 . O rápido crescimento das doenças crônicas não-transmissíveis associadas à inatividade físi-ca vem sendo registrado tanto nos países desenvolvidos como nos países em desenvolvimento.…”

“…No presente estudo, as duas únicas exceções foram com relação aos passos 2 (consumo de feijão pelo menos uma vez por dia, no mínimo quatro vezes por semana) e 10 (acumule trinta minutos de atividade física todos os dias), que foram mais freqüentes entre os homens. Outros estudos 21,22 têm mostrado que a prática de atividade física em Pelotas é mais comum em indivíduos do sexo masculino.…”

“…Por outro lado, a freqüência de adesão aos passos 9 (mantenha seu peso em limites saudáveis) e 10 (acumule trinta minutos de atividade física todos os dias) parece estar inversamente associada à idade. O metabolismo mais lento 26 e o progressivo aumento da inatividade 21,22 que acompanham o processo de envelhecimento contribuem para o excesso de peso constantemente verificado nessa faixa etária.…”

Atividade física no lazer, deslocamento, apoio social e percepção do ambiente urbano em homens e mulheres de Florianópolis/SC

“…Increase in physical activity levels and a healthy life style can reduce the risk of coronary diseases and in uence the rate of mortality by chronic diseases 2 . However, studies from Brazil and other countries show that the population is not su ciently physically active 3 and the increase of sedentary behavior has been a crescent concern for public health policies [4][5] .…”

“…Increase in physical activity levels and a healthy life style can reduce the risk of coronary diseases and in uence the rate of mortality by chronic diseases 2 . However, studies from Brazil and other countries show that the population is not su ciently physically active 3 and the increase of sedentary behavior has been a crescent concern for public health policies [4][5] .One possibility to change population attitude towards physical activity is to identify associated factors that can make possible the implementation of public policies and strategies that contribute to an active life style adoption 6 . e models that try to explain the prevalence of physical activity in leisure and transport are multifactorial and consider psychosocial, sociodemographic factors and, more recently, urban environmental characteristics in di erent populations and contexts [7][8][9][10] .…”