Inactividad física y factores asociados en personas mayores en Brasil

Abstract

The aim was to analyse factors associated with physical inactivity in elderly Brazilians. The study was carried out by using a cross-sectional design and it comprised a representative sample of 909 subjects. Physical inactivity was defined as fewer than 150 minutes per week. In order to identify sociodemographic factors and behavioural and health aspects, which may be associated with physical inactivity, we carried out a multivariate analysis through the Poisson regression. Results suggest that physical inactivity has a prevalence of 39.1%. Physical inactivity presents a higher prevalence with an increase in age, a lack of regular physical activity practice in the past, depressive symptoms and disability in the instrumental activities of daily living. An increase in age, a lack of regular physical activity practice in the past, depressive symptoms and disability in the instrumental activities of daily living are shown as causes of physical inactivity.