Socio-demographic patterning of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviours in eight Latin American countries: findings from the ELANS study

Ferrari, G. L. d. M. et al. (2020) Socio-demographic patterning of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviours in eight Latin American countries: findings from the ELANS study. European Journal of Sport Science, 20(5), pp. 670-681. (doi: 10.1080/17461391.2019.1678671) (PMID:31603392)

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours (SB) are two independent risk factors for non-communicable diseases. However, there is a lack of objectively measured information on PA and SB in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to use objective data to characterise socio-demographic patterns of PA and SB in eight Latin American countries. 2,732 participants (aged 15-65 years) from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (ELANS) were included. PA and SB data were collected using accelerometers. Overall and country-specific average levels of time spent in PA and SB were compared by sex, age, socioeconomic and education level. Overall, the mean time spent in SB was 571.6 min/day, ranging from 553.8 min/day in Chile to 596.7 min/day in Peru. Average levels of light, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total PA were 311.1 min/day (95% CI: 307.7; 314.5), 34.9 min/day (95% CI: 34.0; 35.9) and 7531.2 MET-min/week (95% CI: 7450.4; 7611.9), respectively. MVPA and total PA were higher in men than women. The prevalence of physical inactivity was 40.6%, ranging from 26.9% (Chile) to 47% (Costa Rica and Venezuela). Women were more physically inactive than men (47.7% versus 33.0%). SB levels were highest among those with higher education; PA graded positively with socioeconomic level. Our findings can inform the planning of health policies and programmes designed to reduce levels of physical inactivity, as well as inform the local and cultural adaptation of these policies and programmes for implementation in Latin America.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The ELANS was supported by a scientific grant from the Coca Cola Company, and support from the Ferrero, Instituto Pensi / Hospital Infantil Sabara, International Life Science Institute of Argentina, Universidad de Costa Rica, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Universidad Central de Venezuela (CENDES-UCV)/Fundación Bengoa, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, and Instituto de Investigación Nutricional de Peru.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Celis, Dr Carlos
• Authors: Ferrari, G. L. d. M., Kovalskys, I., Fisberg, M., Gómez, G., Rigotti, A., Sanabria, L. Y. C., García, M. C. Y., Torres, R. G. P., Herrera-Cuenca, M., Zimberg, I. Z., Guajardo, V., Pratt, M., Cristi-Montero, C., Rodríguez-Rodríguez, F., Scholes, S., Celis-Morales, C. A., Chaput, J.-P., and Solé, D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: European Journal of Sport Science
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1746-1391
• ISSN (Online): 1536-7290
• Published Online: 11 October 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 European College of Sport Science
• First Published: First published in European Journal of Sport Science 20(5):670-681
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy