Prevalence and Correlates of Physical Inactivity among Older Adults in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

BackgroundCurrent information on the epidemiology of physical inactivity among older adults is lacking, making it difficult to target the inactive and to plan for interventions to ameliorate adverse effects.ObjectivesTo present statewide representative findings on the prevalence of physical inactivity among older community residents, its correlates and associated health service use.MethodsA representative non-institutionalized random sample of 6963 individuals in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, aged >= 60 years, was interviewed face-to-face. Information was obtained on demographic characteristics, social resources, health conditions and behaviors, health service use, and physical inactivity. Controlled logistic regression was used to determine the association of physical inactivity with these characteristics.ResultsOverall, 62% reported no regular physical activity. Physical inactivity was significantly more prevalent among women, older persons, those with lower education and income, Afro-Brazilians (73%; White: 61%; other: 64%), those no longer married, and was associated with multiple individual health conditions and impaired activities of daily living (ADL). in adjusted analyses, associations remained for sociodemographic characteristics, social participation, impaired self-rated health, ADL, vision, and depression (odds ratios (OR) 1.2-1.7). Physically inactive respondents were less likely to report outpatient visits (OR 0.81), but more likely to be hospitalized (OR 1.41).ConclusionsPhysical inactivity is highly prevalent, particularly among Afro -Brazilians. It is associated with adverse sociodemographic characteristics; lack of social interaction; and poor self-rated health, ADL, vision, and depression; although not with other health conditions. Self-care may be neglected, resulting in hospitalization.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Bolsista de Produtividade em PesquisaNational Institute on AgingUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Psychiat, São Paulo, BrazilDuke Univ, Med Ctr, Ctr Study Aging & Human Dev, Durham, NC 27710 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Psychiat, São Paulo, BrazilBolsista de Produtividade em Pesquisa: 306156/2011-3National Institute on Aging: 1P30 AG028716Web of Scienc

Sample characteristics by physical inactivity, sociodemographic variables, social and health behavior, medical conditions and use of services (N = 6924)¹.

<p>¹ Information missing for some variables.</p><p>Sample characteristics by physical inactivity, sociodemographic variables, social and health behavior, medical conditions and use of services (N = 6924)<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0117060#t001fn001" target="_blank">¹</a>.</p

Logistic regression.

<p>Odds of physical inactivity adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics (Model 1); and social ties and health behaviors (Model 2); and self-rated health, activities of daily living, and health conditions (Model 3) ³</p><p>¹OR = odds ratio</p><p>²CI = confidence interval.</p><p>Logistic regression.</p

Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios of the association between physical inactivity and outpatient visits, hospitalization and number of hospitalizations.

<p>¹ Sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, education, income, ethnicity) controlled</p><p>²OR = odds ratio</p><p>³CI = confidence interval.</p><p>*** p<0.001</p><p>Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios of the association between physical inactivity and outpatient visits, hospitalization and number of hospitalizations.</p