Abstract

ROMEIRO-LOPES, Tiara C. et al. The factors associated with physical inactivity in a city in southern Brazil. Rev. salud pública [online]. 2014, vol.16, n.1, pp.40-52. ISSN 0124-0064.  https://doi.org/10.15446/rsap.v16n1.37376.

Objective This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of and factors associated with gender-related physical inactivity in an urban area of a city in southern Brazil. Methods Data was obtained from a survey monitoring risk factors regarding chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) in adults living in Maringá, Paraná, and the random sampling of 453 people living in the chosen urban area. Results The sample involved 351 women and 102 men; women's physical inactivity rate was 87.5 % and 86.3 % for men. Multivariate regression stated that women aged 50 to 59 years of age were physically active (p=0.01) and those having received 0-8 years of education had become inactive during their leisure time (p=0.02). Compared to males, women who reported being ex-smokers were classified as being active (p=0.03) and those who recognized their state of health as fair were classified as having become inactive during their spare time (p=0.04). Conclusion Inactivity was thus observed amongst both males and females in the target population, even though risk varied and there were distinct protection levels; this would therefore soon become a modifiable risk factor. NCD prevention and control measures must thus be taken through surveillance strategies and monitoring the population's health status.

Keywords : Physical activity; adult; health survey; risk factor; health promotion.

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