Physical Activity and Sitting Time Patterns and Sociodemographic Correlates Among 155,790 South American Adults

Background: To estimate the prevalence of different physical activity (PA) domains and sitting time (ST), and to analyze the association with sociodemographic indicators. Methods: Data from the most recent nationally representative survey from each of the South American countries, comprising 155,790 adults (18-64 y), were used. Data on leisure-time, transport, and occupational PA (all 3 domains as nonzero), total PA (>_150 min/wk), and ST (>_8 h/d) were assessed by specific questionnaires in each survey. Gender, age group (18-34, 35-49, and 50-64 y), and education (quintiles) were used as sociodemographic factors. Random effect meta-analysis of the association between sociodemographic factors and PA and ST were conducted. Results: The prevalence of PA guidelines compliance and elevated ST in South America was 70.3% and 14.1%, respectively. Women were less likely to achieve the recommended levels of total and domain-based PA. Participants in the highest quintile of education were more likely for elevated ST (2.80, 2.08-3.77), lower occupational PA (0.65, 0.44-0.95), but higher leisure-time PA (3.13, 2.31-4.27), in comparison with lowest quintile. Older adults were less likely to participate in total and leisure-time PA. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the urge to tackle the inequalities in PA practice in South America, especially gender and education inequalities, for leisure-time PA.

Automated summary

This study investigated the prevalence of physical activity (PA) and sitting time (ST) in South American countries, and analyzed their association with sociodemographic factors. The study showed that 70.3% of adults in South America met the PA guidelines, while 14.1% had elevated ST. Women were less likely to achieve recommended levels of PA. Individuals with higher education were more likely to have higher leisure-time PA but lower occupational PA and elevated ST. Older adults were less likely to participate in PA.