Objectives This study investigated the association of built, natural and social environment variables with the practice of physical activity (PA) during leisure time and commuting. Methods Household interviews were carried out with a representative sample of individuals aged 18 years or older from a municipality in southern Brazil. PA was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and households were georeferenced with a 500-m buffer. Results Few associations between environmental variables and PA practice were identified. Only proximity to the seafront, presence of private gyms or sports clubs and higher average monthly income of the household head were associated with the practice of PA. In addition, there were inconsistencies in the findings showing that the associations varied based on the intensity and modality of PA within the same domain.Conclusions This study provides evidence on the lack of association between objective environmental measures and the practice of PA. Although there were few significant results and the presence of inconsistencies in the findings, some environmental variables were associated with a more frequent practice of PA.

AIMS: To describe the methodological and operational aspects of a health survey, conducted by means of a multidisciplinary research consortium.METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted with individuals 18 years or older, living in the urban area of the municipality of Rio Grande, in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The sampling was probabilistic, with census tracts as the primary sample unit. The research instrument consisted of a standardized and previously tested questionnaire, with closed questions, applied by face-to-face in dwellings. A brief questionnaire was administered to 10.5% of subjects for quality control purposes. Fieldwork lasted from April to July 2016, and the study was approved by an ethics committee.RESULTS: Of the 70 sampled census tracts, 711 households were randomly selected, comprising 1,429 eligible individuals. Overall, 1,300 individuals (91.0%) of 676 households (95.1%) answered the questionnaire. Losses and refusals were more prevalent for males and downtown's sectors. The questionnaire reproducibility was satisfactory (mean kappa = 0.80).CONCLUSIONS: The main methodological aspects of a multidisciplinary research consortium were pointed out, which may be of interest to other researchers. We highlight the importance of these type of study to yield information on various health conditions of the population.

ABSTRACT:Objective: To analyze the prevalence and factors associated with clustering of four behavioral risk factors -physical inactivity, high fat intake, harmful use of alcohol and tobacco use -for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among undergraduate students from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Socio-demographic variables, breakfast habits, satisfaction with body image, body mass index, and self-perceived general health were analyzed. The outcome evaluated was simultaneity of risk factors for CVD. Crude and adjusted analyses were carried out, stratified by gender, using ordinal logistic regression, extracting odds ratio with respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and p values. Results: The sample was composed of 1,123 students (response rate: 66.0%); of these, 24.7% had two or more risk factors. In the adjusted analysis, the variables intermediate maternal education, absence of breakfast habit, and poor or regular self-perceived general health was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the outcomes. Conclusion: The results indicate an important prevalence of two or more simultaneous risk factors among undergraduate students. It was possible to outline which groups are more susceptible to more risk factors. The association between absence of breakfast habit and poor/regular self-perceived general health are highlighted.

This study investigates whether the association between obesity and depression is mediated by the perception of body weight and verifies the combined effect of being obese and having a self-perception of being fat on depression in a population-based sample of 1238 individuals. Weight perception mediated the association between depression and obesity in 39.3 percent of participants. In stratified analysis, mediation occurred in the following groups: non-single, those with more schooling, non-alcohol abusers, non-smokers, and those who did not engage in physical activity. Being obese and having a self-perception of being fat produced a potentiating effect, significantly increasing the likelihood of depression.

Highlights Proximity to food establishments had few associations with body mass index. Living near a street fair was associated with a higher body mass index. Living near a convenience store was associated with a higher body mass index. Living near a restaurant was associated with lower body mass index. Living near a fruit shop was associated with lower body mass index.