Abstract
The objective of this study is to analyze the physical activity levels among the ethnic groups in La Guajira, Colombia, according to the different ethnic groups and their sociodemographic factors. With regards to ethnic groups, two groups were studied, ethnic (Indigenous and Afro-Colombian) and non-ethnic (White or Mestizo). In order to obtain the relevant data a non-probability sample of 251 people of ≥18 years of age were asked to complete the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). In this analysis, physical activity (METs.min−1) levels were considered as the dependent variable, while the independent variables were linked to the sociodemographic factors: sex, age, social class, civil status, educational level, and municipality of residence. The individuals were then categorized based on their physical activity levels and their compliance with the World Health Organization's (WHO) physical activity recommendations. Next, using the sociodemographic variables, regression models were made to determine the likelihood of the participants meeting these physical activity targets; these models found that 78.1% of the studied participants met the targets. According to the results of the bivariate analysis, participants of ≥47 years of age, and those with only a primary education presented a lower probability of complying with the physical activity recommendations, while those who lived in large municipalities (Riohacha) displayed a larger probability of compliance [OR = 2.16; 95% CI: (1.18–3.96)]. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis showed that Indigenous and Afro-Colombian people in a low social class are more likely to comply with the physical activity recommendations [ORad = 4.88; 95% CI: (1.31–18.1)], while residing in a smaller municipality (Manaure) is associated with a lower probability of compliance [ORad = 0.39; 95% CI: (0.16–0.91)]. In addition, the educated participants were shown to be active and to comply with the physical activity recommendations is to a high degree, even when compared with national and global results. In the ethnic group however, low social class stood out as the sociodemographic factor most associated with high physical activity, while Afro-Colombians were shown to be more active than the Indigenous people. The results of this study offer evidence that can either form a base for future research.
Highlights
Physical activity is defined as the point between the highest expenditure of energy in any action that an individual performs, and the expenditure of energy when they are in a state of rest [1]
69.7% belong in the ethnic group, Afro-Colombians (39%) and Indigenous people (30.7%)
The results indicate that 47% have a moderate physical activity level and 31.1% have a vigorous level, with the best levels found in Common-law Marriage
Summary
Physical activity is defined as the point between the highest expenditure of energy in any action that an individual performs, and the expenditure of energy when they are in a state of rest [1]. The MET unit is defined as the energetic cost involved in an act, for example sitting and being calm is equivalent to 1 Kcal/kg/h, while a moderately active person would use three to six times more energy (3–6 METs), and a person engaged in vigorous activity uses more than six times that amount (>6 METs) [5]. This unit of measurement has allowed for the homogenization of studies on the measurement of physical activity in across different populations [6,7,8,9,10]
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