Practice of physical activities and associated factors in adults, Brazil, 2006.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of physical activity practice in adults and its association with sociodemographic and environmental factors.

METHODS: Data from the Sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico (VIGITEL--Telephone-based Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases) were collected in 2006. All the 54,369 adults interviewed lived in households with a fixed telephone line, in the Brazilian state capitals and Federal District. Physical activity practice was considered in the leisure-time, occupational, transportation and household domains. Variables studied included sociodemographic characteristics of individuals and environmental characteristics of cities. Association with physical activities was analyzed according to sex.

RESULTS: Proportions of active individuals were 14.8% for leisure time, 38.2% for occupation, 11.7% for transportation, and 48.5% for household chores. Indices above 60% of inactive individuals in the leisure-time domain were observed in ten capitals. Men were more active than women in all domains, except for household chores. The proportion of active individuals decreased with age. Level of education was directly associated with physical activity in leisure time. Active men in the transportation domain were more likely to be active in their leisure time, while inactive people in the occupational domain were more likely to be active in their leisure time. The existence of places to perform physical activities near the home was associated with physical activity in leisure time.

CONCLUSIONS: Results obtained are important to monitor physical activity levels in Brazil. Differences between men and women and those in age groups and levels of education must be considered to promote physical activities. Promotion of physical activities in the leisure and transportation domains and in places that are adequate for physical activity practice and near the home should be encouraged.