The use of outdoor gyms is associated with women and low-income people: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the prevalence, and the demographic, socio-economic, and health correlates to Outdoor Gyms (OGs) use for adults from a southern Brazilian city. Study designPopulation-based cross-sectional study. MethodsA total of 431 adults (66.8% women) aged 18–87 years living in the surroundings of four OGs distributed in different regions of the city were randomly selected. Information about OG use for physical activity (PA) practice, and demographic, socio-economic, and health variables were collected by household interviews. Associations between independent variables and OG use were analyzed with results expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). ResultsAbout one-third of participants (30.4%; 95% CI: 26.1–34.7) informed using OGs for PA practice, and 20.4% (95% CI 16.8–24.4) informed using it twice or more times a week (≥2x/week). Adjusted analysis indicated that the OG use ≥2x/week is higher for women (OR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.11–3.35) and for those with lower family income (OR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.03–4.13) than men and those with higher family income, respectively. ConclusionAbout 30% of the population uses OGs for PA practice. Women and low-income people are those who more commonly use OGs for PA practice. The installation of these facilities in public spaces may reduce social inequities related to leisure-time PA.