Original research Socio-demographic patterning of self-reported physical activity and sitting time in Latin American countries: findings from ELANS

Abstract

BackgroundLow levels of physical activity (PA) and prolonged sitting time (ST) increase the risk of non-communicable diseases and mortality, and can be influenced by socio-demographic characteristics. The aim of this study was to use self-report data to characterise socio-demographic patterns of PA and ST in eight Latin American countries.MethodsData were obtained from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (ELANS), a household population-based, multi-national, cross-sectional survey (n = 9218, aged 15–65 years), collected from September 2014 to February 2015. Transport and leisure PA and ST were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–long version. Overall and country-specific mean and median levels of time spent in transport and leisure PA and ST were compared by sex, age, socioeconomic and education level.ResultsMean levels of transport and leisure PA were 220.3 min/week (ranging from 177.6 min/week in Venezuela to 275.3 min/week in Costa Rica) and 316.4 min/week (ranging from 272.1 min/week in Peru to 401.4 min/week in Ecuador). Transport and leisure PA were higher (p < 0.005) in men than women with mean differences of 58.0 and 34.0 min/week. The mean and median for transport PA were similar across age groups (15–29 years: mean 215.5 and median 120 min/week; 30–59 years: mean 225.0 and median 120 min/week; ≥60 years: mean 212.0 and median 120 min/week). The median time spent in transport and leisure PA between three strata of socioeconomic and education levels were similar. The prevalence of not meeting PA recommendations were 69.9% (95% CI: 68.9–70.8) for transport and 72.8% (95% CI: 72.0–73.7) for leisure. Men, younger people (15–29 years), individuals with higher socioeconomic and education levels spent significantly (p < 0.001) more time sitting than women, older people (30–59 years and ≥ 60 years) and those in the middle and low socioeconomic and education groups, respectively.ConclusionsTransport and leisure PA and ST range widely by country, sex, and age group in Latin America. Programs for promoting leisure and transport PA and reducing ST in Latin America should consider these differences by age and gender and between countries.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.Gov NCT02226627. Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014.

Socio-Demographic Correlates of Total and Domain-Specific Sedentary Behavior in Latin America: A Population-Based Study

“…To date, there is limited evidence on the associations of socio-demographic characteristics with total and domain-specific SB in low-middle income countries, including those in Latin America. Previous studies considering total sitting time found that young adult participants with higher educational levels presented higher overall sitting time [12,18]. However, correlates such as education and age may also be associated with time spent in different types of SB [23].…”

“…As countries had different categories of socioeconomic level (SEL), a single three-tier system (low, medium, high) was developed. We carried out a similar process to standardize the level of education into three levels (basic or lower (low), high school (medium) and university degree (high)) in all countries [12,24,30]. Participants were asked about their ethnicity (white/Caucasian, black, mixed, other: Asian, indigenous, gypsy and other).…”

“…In Latin American countries, variation in levels of sitting time have also been found across countries, ranging from 300 min/day in Ecuador to 480 min/day in Argentina and Peru [12]. Research in low, middle, and high-income countries has shown that large amounts of time during waking hours are spent being sedentary, specifically in sitting time [11,12]. Within countries, total and domain-specific sitting time has been shown to vary by indices of socio-demographic factors.…”

“…For example, cross-country comparisons have reported wide variations in sitting time; countries such as Spain, and Northern Ireland, report 240.5 min/day in contrast to reports of 360.5 min/day in Sweden and Denmark [11]. In Latin American countries, variation in levels of sitting time have also been found across countries, ranging from 300 min/day in Ecuador to 480 min/day in Argentina and Peru [12]. Research in low, middle, and high-income countries has shown that large amounts of time during waking hours are spent being sedentary, specifically in sitting time [11,12].…”

Active Transportation and Obesity Indicators in Adults from Latin America: ELANS Multi-Country Study

“…From the four domains of physical activity, only the active transportation and leisure time physical activity sections were included. This decision was made for two reasons: (i) due to the greater relevance of these domains for targeted physical activity programming and policy efforts [ 30 ] and (ii) the weak validity of occupational and home-based physical activity questions [ 55 ]. The cross-sectional design of this study limits generalizability and limits conclusions regarding of causality.…”