LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE ELDERLY: PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence of physical inactivity and associated factors in elderly people living in the community. Methods: The research was carried out with 294 elderly people of both sexes, aged between 60 and 94 years, living in the city of Matutina-MG. Information on sociodemographic variables, clinical and perceived health was collected. Sedentary behavior was assessed using sitting time (in minutes per day) obtained from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using absolute and relative frequency and Poisson regression, with robust and adjusted variance, with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The Prevalence Ratio was used to identify the relationship between physical inactivity and associated factors. Results: A greater association was observed between physical inactivity and elderly people aged 80 or over (RP= 2.34 – 95% CI 1.37 - 4.00; p=0.003). Elderly diabetics (RP=2.00; 95%CI 1.16 – 3.46; p=0.013) and smokers (PR=2.84; 95%CI 1.52- 5.30; p=0.001) are more likely to have be inactive when compared to those who are not diabetic and do not smoke. Furthermore, elderly people who spend more time sitting (? 420 min/day) are more likely to be physically inactive when compared to those who spend less time sitting (<450 min/day) (PR: 1.95; 95% CI1.23 -3.11; p=0.005). Conclusion: The prevalence of physical inactivity among elderly people in the community is relatively low. Factors associated with this inactivity include being 80 years of age or older, being diabetic, being a smoker and spending a lot of time sitting.

Keywords: physical activity, physical inactivity, lack of physical activity