Descriptive Epidemiology of Uruguayan Adults' Leisure Time Physical Activity.

Javier Brazo-Sayavera,Inacio Crochemore M Silva,Luciano Jahnecka,Pedro Olivares,Gregore Mielke

doi:10.3390/ijerph15071387

Abstract

Policymakers rely on information for describing and monitoring levels of physical activity among the population. However, in Uruguay there is no research presenting physical activity practices nationwide. The present study aims to describe the leisure time physical activity levels and their unequal distribution among Uruguayan adults. Data from the 2014 Uruguayan National Health Survey (n = 3543 adults aged > 15 years) were analysed. Physical activity was measured by questionnaire, with participants reporting the number of days and time spent doing physical activity during leisure time in a typical week. Only 25.1% of the participants met the international recommendations for physical activity. Males were twice as active as females in early adulthood in terms of time. The absolute socioeconomic gap between the poorest and wealthiest income quintiles was around 20 percentage points, and participants with the highest physical activity levels were within the wealthiest and highest-educational levels. A low proportion of the population met the proxy of the international recommendations for physical activity. Important socioeconomic inequalities have been found in physical activity practices and must be considered in public health interventions.

Highlights

Physical activity (PA) is defined as bodily movements produced by skeletal muscles that require energy [1]
leisure time PA (LTPA) level differed according to age group, socioeconomic status, and educational level
These results are similar to those obtained by Azevedo et al in a southern city in Brazil [15], in their study the prevalence of participants who did not undertake any LTPA was marginally higher than ours for all age groups and in both sexes

Summary

Introduction

Physical activity (PA) is defined as bodily movements produced by skeletal muscles that require energy [1]. It is estimated that worldwide more than 5 million deaths could be attributed to physical inactivity [5]. Physical inactivity is responsible for a substantial economic burden, with a total worldwide cost ranging from INT$ 67.5 to INT$ 145.2 billion (combining direct and indirect costs) [6]. Despite this evidence, the prevalence of physical inactivity is still high among many populations. Given its health consequences and high prevalence, physical inactivity has come to be considered a significant public health problem globally [8]

Methods

Results

Conclusion