Prevalence of Insufficient Physical Activity and Associated Factors in Brazilian Adolescents

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 777-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliano Peixoto Bastos ◽  
Cora Luiza Pavin Araújo ◽  
Pedro Curi Hallal

Background:We aimed to describe levels of physical activity (PA) in adolescents living in southern Brazil and to explore associations between PA levels and demographic, socioeconomic, health-related, and parental variables. A further aim was to test the validity and reliability of the questionnaire used.Methods:We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study including 857 adolescents selected randomly. Insufficient PA was defined as <300 min/wk of MVPA. PA data collected by questionnaire were compared with pedometer counts and with a longer version of the questionnaire in a subsample of 92 adolescents.Results:Reliability of the questionnaire was good, and its validity in comparison with a longer questionnaire was also satisfactory. In comparison with pedometer data, the questionnaire presented moderate agreement. The prevalence of insufficient PA in the whole sample was 69.8% (95% CI = 66.7–72.9). Boys were more active than girls. The prevalence of insufficient PA increased with age in girls but not in boys. Among boys, those from low socioeconomic levels were more likely to be sedentary. Among girls, paternal PA was directly associated with adolescent activity levels.Conclusions:Urgent strategies aimed at increasing levels of activity of adolescents are necessary in Brazil given the high prevalence of insufficient PA detected in this study. The variables associated with insufficient PA varied between boys and girls.

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 460-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Airton J. Rombaldi ◽  
Ana M.B. Menezes ◽  
Mario Renato Azevedo ◽  
Pedro C. Hallal

Objectives:To explore whether participation in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with participation in occupational, housework, and transport-related physical activity.Methods:Population-based cross-sectional study covering a multistage sample of 972 subjects age 20 to 69 years. Physical activity was measured using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. A LTPA score was calculated as follows: min/wk of walking + min/wk of moderate-intensity physical activity + (min/wk of vigorous-intensity physical activity × 2). Similar scores were generated for each domain. For categorical analyses, the scores were divided into 3 categories: 0 min/wk, 10−149 min/wk, and ≥150 min/wk.Results:The proportion of subjects practicing less than 150 min/wk of physical activity in each domain was: leisure-time (69.8%), occupational (58.3%), housework (35.0%), transportation (51.9%). Subjects with a transport-related physical activity score equal to or above 150 min/wk were 40% less likely to be sedentary in leisure-time in comparison with those who did not practice transport-related physical activity. Housework and occupational physical activity were not related to participation in LTPA.Conclusions:Future physical activity campaigns should focus on other domains instead of LTPA alone, particularly supporting transport-related physical activity as a strategy of health promotion.


2016 ◽  
Vol 134 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Contiero San Martini ◽  
Daniela de Assumpção ◽  
Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros ◽  
Ana Maria Canesqui ◽  
Antonio de Azevedo Barros Filho

ABSTRACT: CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The high prevalence of obesity has led to public policies for combating it. People with normal weight may gain greater awareness of this issue and change their perceptions of their weight. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of body weight dissatisfaction among normal-weight adolescents, according to demographic and socioeconomic variables, health-related behavior and morbidities. DESIGN AND SETTING: Population-based cross-sectional study that used data from a health survey conducted in the city of Campinas, São Paulo, in 2008-2009. METHODS: The prevalence and prevalence ratios of weight dissatisfaction were estimated according to independent variables, by means of simple and multiple Poisson regression. RESULTS: 573 normal-weight adolescents aged 10 to 19 years (mean age 14.7 years) were analyzed. The prevalence of weight dissatisfaction was 43.7% (95% confidence interval, CI: 37.8-49.8). Higher prevalences of weight dissatisfaction were observed among females, individuals aged 15 to 19 years, those whose households had eight or more domestic appliances, former smokers, individuals who reported alcohol intake and those who had one or more chronic diseases. Lower prevalence of dissatisfaction was observed among adolescents living in substandard housing. Among the normal-weight adolescents, 26.1% wished to lose weight and 17.6% wished to gain weight. CONCLUSION: The results from this study indicate that even when weight is seen to be within the normal range, a high proportion of adolescents express dissatisfaction with their weight, especially females, older adolescents and those of higher socioeconomic level.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (s2) ◽  
pp. S204-S212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tales C. Amorim ◽  
Mario R. Azevedo ◽  
Pedro C. Hallal

Objective:To evaluate the association between the physical and social environment and physical activity (leisure-time and transport-related) in a population-based sample of adults.Methods:Cross-sectional study including 972 adults (20−69 years) living in the urban area of Pelotas, Brazil. Physical activity was measured using the long International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Environmental variables were assessed using a modified version of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale.Results:69.8% (95% CI = 66.9−72.7) and 51.9% (95% CI = 48.8−55.1) of the subjects did not reach 150 min/wk on leisure-time and transport-related physical activity, respectively. Subjects living near green areas were more likely to be active in leisure-time, as well as those who reported to live in safe neighborhoods. Transport-related physical activity was higher among individuals living in areas with garbage accumulation, and was lower among those living in neighborhoods which are difficult to walk or cycle due to traffic. Social support was strongly associated with leisure-time physical activity.Conclusions:Safety investments, which are urgently required in Brazil, are likely to have a desirable side effect at increasing physical activity at the population level. Building enjoyable and safe public spaces for physical activity practice must be prioritized.


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1145-1152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Moraes Bielemann ◽  
Andreia Morales Cascaes ◽  
Felipe Fossati Reichert ◽  
Marlos R. Domingues ◽  
Denise Petrucci Gigante

Background:The aim of this study was to assess physical activity (PA) patterns (intensity and prevalence) in children according to demographic, socioeconomic, and familiar characteristics.Methods:In 2010, a cross-sectional study of 239 children aged 4–11 was conducted, in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. PA was measured by accelerometry and classified in different intensities. Insufficient physical activity was defined as less than 60 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA. Descriptive analyses of accelerometry-related variables were presented. Multivariate Poisson regression models were used to estimate the association between physical insufficient PA and covariates.Results:For both sexes, around 65% of the registered time was spent in sedentary activities and less than 20 min/day in vigorous activity. Age and economic status were inversely associated to PA in all categories of PA. Moderate and vigorous activities means were higher in boys than in girls. The prevalence of insufficient PA was 34.5% in girls and 19.5% in boys.Conclusions:We found important differences in physical activity patterns according to sex and economic status, as well as a significant decline in time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA with increasing age. Understanding the relationship between these sociodemographic factors is important to tackle low levels of PA.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 437-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knut Hagen ◽  
Ulrik Wisløff ◽  
Øyvind Ellingsen ◽  
Lars Jacob Stovner ◽  
Mattias Linde

Background Evidence on the association between headache and physical fitness is conflicting. The aim of this population-based study was to examine the relationship between peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and headache, including migraine and tension-type headache (TTH). Methods In the third Nord-Trøndelag Health study (HUNT3), VO2peak was measured by ergospirometry in a sample of 4631 healthy adult participants. Of these, 3899 (54% women) also answered headache questions. The cross-sectional association between headache and VO2peak was evaluated by logistic regression using a categorical approach based on quintiles. Scores in the upper quintile were used as reference. Results Participants age 20–50 years had significant trends of increasing prevalence of any headache ( p < 0.001), migraine ( p < 0.001), TTH ( p = 0.002) and unclassified headache ( p = 0.027) with lower VO2peak. The highest prevalence odds ratios (ORs) were found in those with VO2peak in the lower quintile: For any headache the OR was 2.3 (95% confidence interval (1.6–3.3), for TTH 1.8 (1.2–2.8), for unclassified headache 1.9 (1.1–3.8), and for migraine 3.7 (2.1–6.6). Similar results were also found among those who reported physical activity levels in accordance with current recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine but nevertheless had low VO2peak. Being in the lowest VO2peak quintile was also strongly associated with migraine aggravated by physical activity (OR 4.1, 2.1–8.1). No significant association was found between VO2peak and headache for those 50 years or older. Conclusions In this large cross-sectional study, an inverse relationship was found between VO2peak and headache for adults younger than 50 years of age.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 1640-1649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice L Thompson ◽  
Georgina Bentley ◽  
Mark Davis ◽  
Jo Coulson ◽  
Afroditi Stathi ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the food shopping habits of older adults in the UK and explore their potential associations with selected health-related indicators.DesignA cross-sectional study including objectively measured physical activity levels, BMI, physical function and self-reported health status and dietary intake.SettingBristol, UK.SubjectsA total of 240 older adults aged ≥70 years living independently.ResultsMean age was 78·1 (sd 5·7) years; 66·7 % were overweight or obese and 4 % were underweight. Most (80·0 %) carried out their own food shopping; 53·3 % shopped at least once weekly. Women were more likely to shop alone (P < 0·001) and men more likely to shop with their spouse (P < 0·001). Men were more likely than women to drive to food shopping (P < 0·001), with women more likely to take the bus or be driven (P < 0·001). Most reported ease in purchasing fruit and vegetables (72·9 %) and low-fat products (67·5 %); 19·2 % reported low fibre intakes and 16·2 % reported high fat intakes. Higher levels of physical function and physical activity and better general health were significantly correlated with the ease of purchasing fresh fruit, vegetables and low-fat products. Shopping more often was associated with higher fat intake (P = 0·03); higher levels of deprivation were associated with lower fibre intake (P = 0·019).ConclusionsThese findings suggest a pattern of food shopping carried out primarily by car at least once weekly at large supermarket chains, with most finding high-quality fruit, vegetables and low-fat products easily accessible. Higher levels of physical function and physical activity and better self-reported health are important in supporting food shopping and maintaining independence.


2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 129-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Heidari ◽  
Awat Feizi ◽  
Leila Azadbakht ◽  
Nizal Sarrafzadegan

Abstract. Background: Minerals are required for the body’s normal function. Aim: The current study assessed the intake distribution of minerals and estimated the prevalence of inadequacy and excess among a representative sample of healthy middle aged and elderly Iranian people. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the second follow up to the Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS), 1922 generally healthy people aged 40 and older were investigated. Dietary intakes were collected using 24 hour recalls and two or more consecutive food records. Distribution of minerals intake was estimated using traditional (averaging dietary intake days) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) methods, and the results obtained from the two methods, were compared. The prevalence of minerals intake inadequacy or excess was estimated using the estimated average requirement (EAR) cut-point method, the probability approach and the tolerable upper intake levels (UL). Results: There were remarkable differences between values obtained using traditional and NCI methods, particularly in the lower and upper percentiles of the estimated intake distributions. A high prevalence of inadequacy of magnesium (50 - 100 %), calcium (21 - 93 %) and zinc (30 - 55 % for males > 50 years) was observed. Significant gender differences were found regarding inadequate intakes of calcium (21 - 76 % for males vs. 45 - 93 % for females), magnesium (92 % vs. 100 %), iron (0 vs. 15 % for age group 40 - 50 years) and zinc (29 - 55 % vs. 0 %) (all; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Severely imbalanced intakes of magnesium, calcium and zinc were observed among the middle-aged and elderly Iranian population. Nutritional interventions and population-based education to improve healthy diets among the studied population at risk are needed.


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