Abstract

PRIETO-RODRIGUEZ, Adriana  and  AGUDELO-CALDERON, Carlos A. A multilevel approach to diagnosing physical activity in three parts of Colombia. Rev. salud pública [online]. 2006, vol.8, suppl.2, pp.57-68. ISSN 0124-0064.

Objective Individual and contextual characteristics related to physical activity were studied to describe and interpret such practice in three parts of Colombian. Methods Primary- and secondary-source information was obtained at individual, community and regional level concerning cultural, political and urban variables. This information was processed using filters orientated towards analysing compatibility and complementary aspects between levels and variables. Results Practising physical activity presented related aspects affecting individual behaviour (the meaning of the body, health and looking after yourself), urban environmental aspects (soil use and the availability of bicycle-routes) and regulatory developments (health policy really orientated towards promoting health). Conclusions A qualitative approach towards dealing with information about engaging in physical activity within an urban context, as well as interpreting such data respecting constructing social relationships, was achieved in this work. Common aspects for the three regions were identified, as were aspects specific for each region. The multilevel approach led to interpreting relationships between individual variables and political ones.

Keywords : physical activity; multilevel; Colombia.

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