Tendencia y factores socio-demográficos de la inactividad física en adultos en Canarias

Abstract

Abstract. Background: The aim was to examine the differences between participation at low vs zero moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in relation to their temporal trend and associations with known socio-demographic and health factors. Two hypotheses were tested. First, the hypothesis of independent trends proposes that the number of people at zero MVPA level could be rising despite a parallel increase in the population meeting the recommended MVPA level. The second hypothesis is about the absence of graded associations across PA levels when intensity if used to classify levels of PA: Population with low MVPA, compared to those with zero MVPA, could present a different socio-demographic and health behavior profile. Method: Two independent population-based samples (n= 4320 [2004] and n= 2176 [1997]), were recruited with a stratified and random sampling procedure and interviewed at home by professional interviewers. The MVPA was assessed by validated questionnaire. The participants were classified into three MVPA levels zero, low and recommended MVPA. The trend of each MVPA level was analysed with the standardized prevalence ratios. Correlates of low and zero MVPA levels were examined using multinomial logistic regression. Results: The population at zero and recommended PA levels rose between 1997–2004 by 12% (95% CI, 5–20%) and 7% (95% CI, -4–19%) respectively, while the population at low MVPA level decreased. At zero MVPA level, associative patterns were observed with socio-demographic and health factors which were different when compared to the population at low MVPA level. Conclusions: Despite the slight increase of population meeting the recommended MVPA level, a higher trend of increase was observed at zero MVPA level. Both recommended and low MVPA levels increased their participation by absorbing participants from the low MVPA level. The socio-demographic profile of those with low MVPA was more similar to the population at recommended MVPA than at zero MVPA level. Methodological implications about the combination of light and moderate-intensity PA to define PA levels could be derived. The prevention of decline in actual low MVPA could change the trend of increase in the population at zero MVPA level, particularly among young adults.