Association of public physical activity facilities and participation in community programs with leisure-time physical activity: does the association differ according to educational level and income?

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to analyze the association of the presence of public physical activity (PA) facilities and participation in public PA programs with leisure-time PA, with an emphasis on the moderating role of educational level and income. METHODS: We used data of 88,531 adults (46,869 women), with a mean age of 47.2 ± 17.1y, from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey. Leisure-time PA (dichotomized considering 150 min/week), the presence of a public PA facility near the household (yes or no), participation in public PA programs (yes or no), educational level (divided into quintiles) and per capita income (divided into quintiles) were all self-reported through interviews. Adjusted logistic regression models were used for the analyses. RESULTS: The presence of public PA facilities near the household and the participation in public PA programs were associated with higher leisure-time PA among all quintiles of income and educational level. However, multiplicative interactions revealed that participating in PA programs [Quintile (Q)1: OR: 13.99; 95%CI: 6.89-28.38 vs. Q5: OR: 3.48; 95%CI: 2.41-5.01] and the presence of public PA facilities near the household (Q1: OR: 3.07; 95%CI: 2.35-4.01 vs. Q5: OR: 1.38; 95%CI: 1.22-1.55) were more associated with higher odds of being active in the leisure-time among the lowest quintile of educational level. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of public PA facilities and participation in public PA programs are environmental correlates that may be relevant for designing effective public health interventions to reduce social inequalities in leisure-time PA among adults in low-income areas.

Body mass index trajectories and noncommunicable diseases in women: The role of leisure time physical activity.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between body mass index trajectories and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in women, and the interaction effects of leisure time physical activity on this relationship. METHODS: Sample was composed by 15 628 women (≥30 years old) who performed objective measurement of body mass, height, and blood pressure in the 2013 Brazilian Health Survey (2013). Information regarding the body mass at 20 years old, current type 2 diabetes (T2DM), dyslipidemia diagnosis, and leisure time physical activity were self-reported by the participants. Socio-demographic and behavioral covariates were considered. Logistic regression models were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Those who were obese in both moments and women who become obese showed similar high risk, however, the prevalence of NCDs among women who were no longer obese was similar to the consistently non-obese. Leisure time physical activity attenuated the general deleterious effect of obesity, especially among the consistently obese women for dyslipidemia (inactive: OR: 2.02 [95%CI: 1.69-2.43] vs active: OR: 1.05 [95%CI: 0.55-1.99]), T2DM (inactive: OR: 3.84 [95%CI: 2.72-5.43] vs active: OR: 4.38 [95%CI: 1.49-12.86]) and high blood pressure (inactive: OR: 2.00 [95%CI: 1.56-2.57] vs active: OR: 1.15 [95%CI: 0.57-2.52]). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in body mass index appear to be sensitive to detecting the risk of NCDs over lifespan. In addition, leisure time physical activity attenuates the negative effects of obesity on NCDs, but this appears more important for the consistently non-obese women.

Associations of sedentary behaviours and incidence of unhealthy diet during the COVID-19 quarantine in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to analyse the association of change patterns on TV-viewing and computer/tablet use and incidence of elevated consumption of ultra-processed food consumption and lower consumption of fruits and vegetables during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Data of 39 208 Brazilian adults from a Behaviour Web Survey were used. Unhealthy nutrition habits were eating fruits or vegetables for <5 d/week and ultra-processed food (sugary foods, snacks, ready-to-eat frozen foods and embedded foods) for ≥5 d/week. For incidence indicators, we only considered participants without unhealthy behaviour before the quarantine. We created four categories of change in TV-viewing and computer/tablet use, considering a cut-off point of 4 h/d for each behaviour (1 - consistently low, 2 - become low during the quarantine, 3 - become high during the quarantine or 4 - consistently high). Analyses were adjusted for sex, age group, highest academic achievement, per capita income, working status during the quarantine, skin colour and adherence to the quarantine. SETTING: Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Brazilian adults (nationally representative). RESULTS: Logistic regression models revealed that high TV-viewing and computer/tablet use incidence were associated with higher odds for elevated frequency of ultra-processed food consumption (TV-viewing: OR 1·70; 95 % CI 1·37, 2·12; computer/tablet: OR 1·73; 95 % CI 1·31, 2·27) and low consumption of fruit and vegetables (TV-viewing: OR 1·70; 95 % CI 1·29, 2·23; computer/tablet: OR 1·53; 95 % CI 1·08, 2·17) incidence. Consistent high computer/tablet use also presented higher odds for incidence of elevated frequency of ultra-processed food consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Participants with incidence of sedentary behaviours were also more likely to present incidence of unhealthy diet during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine.

Physical activity can attenuate, but not eliminate, the negative relationships of high TV viewing with some chronic diseases: findings from a cohort of 60 202 Brazilian adults.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the joint associations of leisure time physical activity and television (TV) viewing time with the prevalence of chronic diseases among Brazilian adults. METHODS: Data from the Brazilian Health Survey, a nationally representative survey conducted in 2013 (n = 60 202; ≥18 years), were used. Time spent in TV viewing and leisure physical activity, physician diagnoses of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease and information on co-variables (chronological age, education, ethnicity, candies/sweets consumption, sodium intake and tobacco smoking) were collected via interview. Descriptive statistics (mean and 95% confidence interval) and logistic regression models were used for etiological analyses. RESULTS: Physical activity attenuated but did not eliminate the risk associated with high TV viewing for at least one chronic disease in the general population [odds ratio [OR]: 1.29 (1.11-1.50)] and among women [OR: 1.31 (1.09-1.60)], adults [OR: 1.24 (1.05-1.46)] and older adults [OR: 1.63 (1.05-2.53)]. On the other hand, physical activity eliminated the risk associated with high TV viewing for at least one chronic disease among men [OR: 1.24 (0.98-1.58)]. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that physical activity can attenuate but not eliminate the negative effects of high TV viewing on chronic disease among subgroups of Brazilian adults.

Correlates of screen-based behaviors among adults from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey.

We aimed to investigate correlates of TV viewing and other types of screen-based behaviors in a nationally representative sample of Brazilian adults. In the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey (including 88,509 adults), TV viewing time and other types of screen behaviors (computer, tablet, and cellphone use) were self-reported and different geographical, sociodemographic, behavioral, and health status factors were investigated as potential correlates. Multinomial logistic regression models were used for the main analyses. Living in capital cities, urban areas, being unemployed, high consumption of soft drinks, obesity, and elevated depressive symptoms were each associated with more TV viewing and more time using other types of screens. There were differential associations between TV viewing and the use of other types of screen across age and socioeconomic variables. For instance, younger adults have a more diverse portfolio of screen time than older adults. To conclude, levels of screen-based behaviors vary by geographical, sociodemographic, behavioral, and health status characteristics. Interventions should focus on high-risk population groups and may benefit from targeting specific sedentary behaviors of interest.

Macroeconomic, demographic and human developmental correlates of physical activity and sitting time among South American adults.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to investigate the association of macroeconomic, human development, and demographic factors with different domains of physical activity and sitting time among South American adults. METHODS: We used data from nationally representative samples in Argentina (n = 26,932), Brazil (n = 52,490), Chile (n = 3866), Colombia (n = 14,208), Ecuador (n = 19,883), Peru (n = 8820), and Uruguay (n = 2403). Our outcomes included leisure time (≥150 min/week), transport (≥10 min/week), occupational (≥10 min/week), and total (≥150 min/week) physical activity, as well as sitting time (≥4 h/day), which were collected through self-reported questionnaires. As exposures, gross domestic product, total population, population density, and human development index indicators from the most updated national census of each country were used. Age and education were used as covariates. Multilevel logistic regressions with harmonized random effect meta-analyses were conducted, comparing highest vs. lowest (reference) tertiles. RESULTS: Higher odds for transport physical activity were observed among the highest tertiles of total population (ORmen: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.23-1.62), ORwomen: 1.51; 95% CI:1.32-1.73), population density (ORmen: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.18-1.57, ORwomen: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.30-1.70), and gross domestic product (ORmen: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.00-1.35, ORwomen: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.20-1.61). For leisure physical activity, women living in departments with higher human development index presented 18% higher odds for being active, and for total physical activity a similar estimate in both sexes was observed among those who live in more populated areas. No consistent associations were found for occupational physical activity and sitting time. CONCLUSION: Macroeconomic, demographic and human development indicators are associated with different domains of physical activity in the South American context, which can in turn guide policies to promote physical activity in the region.

Association between physical activity and alcohol consumption: sociodemographic and behavioral patterns in Brazilian adults.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to investigate the association between physical activity and alcohol consumption, as well as the sociodemographic and behavioral patterns of this association in a representative sample of Brazilian adults. METHODS: Data from the Brazilian Health Survey (PNS), a nationally representative survey conducted in 2013 (n = 60 202; age≥18 years), were used. Time spent in leisure physical activity, alcohol consumption as well as sociodemographic (chronological age, educational status and skin color) and associated behavioral factors (TV viewing and tobacco smoking) were collected via interview. Logistic regression models were used for the main analyses. RESULTS: Prevalence of weekly and almost daily alcohol consumption were 29.5% and 6.7% for men and 12.0% and 1.0% for women respectively. Adults with weekly alcohol consumption were more likely to be classified as physically active [young: men=OR:1.20 (CI 95%:1.02-1.39), women= OR:2.33 (CI 95%:1.92-2.82); middle-aged: men= OR:1.46 (CI 95%: 1.17-1.82), women= OR:1.75 (CI 95%:1.38-2.22); older: men= OR:1.83 (CI 95%:1.27-2.66), women= OR:2.11 (CI 95%: s1.26-3.52)], when compared to adults with no alcohol consumption. Almost daily alcohol consumption was associated with lower physical activity among young and middle-aged adults but with higher physical activity among older adults of both sexes and young women. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly alcohol consumption was associated with a higher level of physical activity among young, middle aged and older adults.

Age at menarche and cancer risk at adulthood.

AIM: The aim was to evaluate the association between age at menarche and cancer using a nationally representative sample of Brazilian women. METHODS: Data from the Brazilian Health Survey (PNS), a nationally representative survey conducted in 2013 (n = 33,715 women; ≥18 years), were used. Information on cancer diagnosis, age at menarche and other co-variables (chronological age, educational status, skin colour, menopause, leisure-time physical activity and tobacco smoking) were collected via interview. Logistic regression models were used for aetiological analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of cancer diagnosis was greater among women with early age at menarche [2.6% (2.0-3.5%)] compared to on-time [1.6% (1.4-1.9%)] and late women [2.0% (1.1-3.4%)]. The onset of menarche ≤11 years was significantly associated with cancer risk, regardless of co-variables [OR =2.45 (1.34-4.48)], compared to the late group. CONCLUSION: Early age at menarche was associated with cancer risk in adulthood, regardless of race, educational status, chronological age, obesity, menopause onset, tobacco smoking or physical activity.

Using model-based geostatistics for assessing the elimination of trachoma.

BACKGROUND: Trachoma is the commonest infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Efforts are being made to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem globally. However, as prevalence decreases, it becomes more challenging to precisely predict prevalence. We demonstrate how model-based geostatistics (MBG) can be used as a reliable, efficient, and widely applicable tool to assess the elimination status of trachoma. METHODS: We analysed trachoma surveillance data from Brazil, Malawi, and Niger. We developed geostatistical Binomial models to predict trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) and trachomatous trichiasis (TT) prevalence. We proposed a general framework to incorporate age and gender in the geostatistical models, whilst accounting for residual spatial and non-spatial variation in prevalence through the use of random effects. We also used predictive probabilities generated by the geostatistical models to quantify the likelihood of having achieved the elimination target in each evaluation unit (EU). RESULTS: TF and TT prevalence varied considerably by country, with Brazil showing the lowest prevalence and Niger the highest. Brazil and Malawi are highly likely to have met the elimination criteria for TF in each EU, but, for some EUs, there was high uncertainty in relation to the elimination of TT according to the model alone. In Niger, the predicted prevalence varied significantly across EUs, with the probability of having achieved the elimination target ranging from values close to 0% to 100%, for both TF and TT. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the wide applicability of MBG for trachoma programmes, using data from different epidemiological settings. Unlike the standard trachoma prevalence survey approach, MBG provides a more statistically rigorous way of quantifying uncertainty around the achievement of elimination prevalence targets, through the use of spatial correlation. In addition to the analysis of existing survey data, MBG also provides an approach to identify areas in which more sampling effort is needed to improve EU classification. We advocate MBG as the new standard method for analysing trachoma survey outputs.

Maternal and child health in Brazil: progress and challenges.

In the past three decades, Brazil has undergone rapid changes in major social determinants of health and in the organisation of health services. In this report, we examine how these changes have affected indicators of maternal health, child health, and child nutrition. We use data from vital statistics, population censuses, demographic and health surveys, and published reports. In the past three decades, infant mortality rates have reduced substantially, decreasing by 5·5% a year in the 1980s and 1990s, and by 4·4% a year since 2000 to reach 20 deaths per 1000 livebirths in 2008. Neonatal deaths account for 68% of infant deaths. Stunting prevalence among children younger than 5 years decreased from 37% in 1974-75 to 7% in 2006-07. Regional differences in stunting and child mortality also decreased. Access to most maternal-health and child-health interventions increased sharply to almost universal coverage, and regional and socioeconomic inequalities in access to such interventions were notably reduced. The median duration of breastfeeding increased from 2·5 months in the 1970s to 14 months by 2006-07. Official statistics show stable maternal mortality ratios during the past 10 years, but modelled data indicate a yearly decrease of 4%, a trend which might not have been noticeable in official reports because of improvements in death registration and the increased number of investigations into deaths of women of reproductive age. The reasons behind Brazil's progress include: socioeconomic and demographic changes (economic growth, reduction in income disparities between the poorest and wealthiest populations, urbanisation, improved education of women, and decreased fertility rates), interventions outside the health sector (a conditional cash transfer programme and improvements in water and sanitation), vertical health programmes in the 1980s (promotion of breastfeeding, oral rehydration, and immunisations), creation of a tax-funded national health service in 1988 (coverage of which expanded to reach the poorest areas of the country through the Family Health Program in the mid-1990s); and implementation of many national and state-wide programmes to improve child health and child nutrition and, to a lesser extent, to promote women's health. Nevertheless, substantial challenges remain, including overmedicalisation of childbirth (nearly 50% of babies are delivered by caesarean section), maternal deaths caused by illegal abortions, and a high frequency of preterm deliveries.

Prevalence and correlates of preterm labor among young parturient women attending public hospitals in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for preterm labor (< 37 weeks of gestation) among young pregnant women in Brazil. METHODS: A national cross-sectional study was conducted among parturient women aged 15-24 years attending Brazilian public maternities in 2009. Questionnaires were administered by interviewers during parturient admission to the maternity clinic (or soon after delivery, if survey participants were in too much pain to respond during labor). The questionnaires collected demographic, behavioral, and clinical data. RESULTS: A total of 2 071 (86.3%) of the 2 400 parturient women invited to participate were included in the study. Mean age was 20.2 years (standard deviation [SD]: 2.7) and mean years of formal education was 8 (SD: 2.4). Preterm labor occurred in 450 women (21.7%). The highest proportion of premature labor (36.1%) was found in the North region and the lowest proportion (6.9%) was found in the South region. In the final multivariate logistic regression model, living in the North region (odds ratio [OR]: 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-1.59); having monthly income less than twice the Brazilian minimum wage (OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.01-1.60); having suffered domestic violence (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.23-4.18); and having had inadequate prenatal care (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 2.54-3.97) remained significant correlates of preterm labor in this population. CONCLUSIONS: Results show a high prevalence of preterm labor among young women in Brazil. Preterm labor has multifactorial etiologies. More public health resources must be directed toward accelerating understanding of this complex process.

Does stressful workplace characteristics moderate or confound the association between occupational physical activity and elevated depressive symptoms? A large study including 36,442 adults.

BACKGROUND: We tested whether stressful workplace characteristics confound or moderate the association between occupational physical activity and depressive symptoms. METHOD: We used data of 36,442 employed adults (16,992 women), with a mean age of 39.3 ± 12.6y, from the 2013 Brazilian National Health Survey. Depressive symptoms were assessed through the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (cut-point: ≥10). Occupational physical activity was self-reported and classified using the cut-point of 150 min/week and the highest quintile. Ten stressful workplace characteristics (e.g. exposure to stress, noise, violence) were also self-reported dichotomously. Logistic regression models were used considering the adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: Most of the stressful workplace characteristics were associated with elevated depressive symptoms (8/10 characteristics) and higher occupational physical activity (9/10 characteristics). Although there were no interactions in combined associations, we found that the association between occupational physical activity and depressive symptoms consistently reduced after adjusting for the cluster of positive screening for at least two stressful workplace characteristics in men [highest quintile: ORunadjusted: 1.63 (95%CI 1.22-2.17) vs ORadjusted: 1.36 (1.08-1.91); ≥150 min/week: ORunadjusted: 1.43 (1.09-1.88) vs ORadjusted: 1.25 (0.95-1.64)], and women [highest quintile: ORunadjusted: 2.15 1.73-2.66) vs ORadjusted: 1.83 (1.47-2.29); ≥150 min/week: ORunadjusted: 2.11 (1.68-2.65) vs ORadjusted: 1.80 (1.42-2.27)]. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design limits the causal inference. CONCLUSIONS: Stressful workplace characteristics did not moderate, but acted as confounders in the association between occupational physical activity and elevated depressive symptoms and should be considered in future studies.

Comparison between two race/skin color classifications in relation to health-related outcomes in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: This paper aims to compare the classification of race/skin color based on the discrete categories used by the Demographic Census of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and a skin color scale with values ranging from 1 (lighter skin) to 10 (darker skin), examining whether choosing one alternative or the other can influence measures of self-evaluation of health status, health care service utilization and discrimination in the health services. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the World Health Survey carried out in Brazil in 2003 with a sample of 5000 individuals older than 18 years. Similarities between the two classifications were evaluated by means of correspondence analysis. The effect of the two classifications on health outcomes was tested through logistic regression models for each sex, using age, educational level and ownership of consumer goods as covariables. RESULTS: Both measures of race/skin color represent the same race/skin color construct. The results show a tendency among Brazilians to classify their skin color in shades closer to the center of the color gradient. Women tend to classify their race/skin color as a little lighter than men in the skin color scale, an effect not observed when IBGE categories are used. With regard to health and health care utilization, race/skin color was not relevant in explaining any of them, regardless of the race/skin color classification. Lack of money and social class were the most prevalent reasons for discrimination in healthcare reported in the survey, suggesting that in Brazil the discussion about discrimination in the health care must not be restricted to racial discrimination and should also consider class-based discrimination. The study shows that the differences of the two classifications of race/skin color are small. However, the interval scale measure appeared to increase the freedom of choice of the respondent.

Time Trends and Sociodemographic Inequalities in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors Among Brazilian Adults: National Surveys from 2003 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: The authors analyzed time trends and sociodemographic inequalities in different physical activity and sedentary behavior domains between 2003 and 2019. METHODS: A secondary analysis of data from 5 cross-sectional Brazilian epidemiological surveys (World Health Survey-2003, National Household Sample Survey-2008/2015, and Brazilian Health Survey-2013/2019) conducted among a nationally representative sample of Brazilian adults. The authors used data on different domains of physical activity (leisure, commute, total transport, and total physical activity) and sedentary behavior (TV viewing and other types of screens) that were available in the different surveys. Gender, age group, country region, ethnicity, type of area and city, and quintiles of income and educational achievement were used as sociodemographic correlates. RESULTS: The prevalence of leisure-time physical activity increased over time (2008: 7.0% vs 2019: 26.5%). There was also an increased trend of social inequality in leisure-time physical activity. A trend of reduction was observed for active commuting (2008: 35.0% vs 2019: 21.8%), while total transport physical activity was stable (2013: 49.5% vs 2019: 49.6%). Directions of findings were opposite for sedentary behavior, with reduced trend for >3 hours per day of TV viewing (2008: 34.8% vs 2019: 21.8%) and increased trend for >3 hours per day of other types of screen time (2008: 6.4% vs 2019: 22.2%). CONCLUSION: A positive trend exists in leisure-time physical activity, but there was also an increase in social inequalities for physical activity in Brazil.

Independent and combined associations of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, TV viewing, and physical activity with severe depressive symptoms among 59,402 adults.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to analyze the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and depressive symptoms, as well as the extent to which TV viewing and physical activity moderate this association. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from the 2013 Brazilian National Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde) of 59,402 adults (33,482 women, mean age = 42.9 years, 95%CI 42.7-43.2 years). Depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), physical activity, TV viewing, and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, as well as potential confounders (chronological age, ethnicity, consumption of candy/sweets and fruit, multimorbidity, education, and employment status) were self-reported. Poisson regression models were used for association analyses. RESULTS: The consumption of 16 or more glasses/week of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with higher levels of severe depressive symptoms among women compared to no consumption (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.71 [95%CI 1.38-2.11]). Consistent interactions were observed between 1-5 glasses and TV viewing (PR 2.09 [95%CI 1.06-4.12]) and between 11-15 glasses and TV viewing (PR 2.90 [95%CI 1.29-6.50]) among men compared to no consumption, given that the co-occurrence of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and elevated TV viewing was associated with higher odds of severe depressive symptoms. Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption did not interact with physical activity, only presenting an independent association. CONCLUSION: Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was independently associated with severe depressive symptoms among women and interacted with TV viewing, but not with physical activity among men.

Changes in the clustering of unhealthy movement behaviors during the COVID-19 quarantine and the association with mental health indicators among Brazilian adults.

Our aim was to analyze the prevalence of unhealthy movement behavior clusters before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to investigate whether changes in the number of unhealthy behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine were associated with mental health indicators. Data of 38,353 Brazilian adults from a nationwide behavior research were used. For movement behaviors, participants reported the frequency and duration of physical activity and daily time on TV viewing and computer/tablet use before and during the pandemic period. Participants also reported the frequency of loneliness, sadness (feeling sad, crestfallen, or depressed), and anxiety feelings (feeling worried, anxious, or nervous) during the pandemic period. Sex, age group, highest academic achievement, working status during quarantine, country region, and time adhering to the quarantine were used as correlates. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression models for the data analysis. The prevalence of all movement behavior clusters increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cluster of all three unhealthy movement behaviors increased from 4.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.9-5.4) to 26.2% (95% CI: 24.8-27.7). Younger adults, people with higher academic achievement, not working or working at home, and those with higher time in quarantine presented higher clustering. People that increased one and two or three unhealthy movement behaviors were, respectively, more likely to present loneliness (odds ratio [OR] = 1.41 [95% CI: 1.21-1.65] and OR = 1.71 [95% CI: 1.42-2.07]), sadness (OR = 1.25 [95% CI: 1.06-1.48] and OR = 1.73 [95% CI: 1.42-2.10]), and anxiety (OR = 1.34 [95% CI: 1.13-1.57] and OR = 1.78 [95% CI: 1.46-2.17]) during the COVID-19 quarantine. Clustering of unhealthy movement behaviors substantially increased and was associated with poorer mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Incidence of physical inactivity and excessive screen time during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: what are the most affected population groups?

PURPOSE: Our aim was to verify the incidence of physical inactivity and excessive screen time during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among Brazilian adults, as well as to identify subgroups that are more affected by the quarantine actions. METHODS: The data of 39,693 Brazilian adults were collected through an online questionnaire between April 24th and May 24th, 2020. Information about physical activity (weekly frequency and daily duration), TV viewing, and computer/tablet use (daily duration) before and during the pandemic period were reported. The correlates adopted were sex, age group, highest academic achievement, skin color, per capita income, country macro region, working status during the quarantine, and adherence to the quarantine. Logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: The incidence of physical inactivity (<150 min/week), high TV viewing (≥4 h/d), and computer/tablet use (≥4 h/d), were, respectively, 70.4%, 31.4%, and 37.9% during the COVID-19 pandemic. The younger age group showed higher incidences of physical inactivity (78%) and high computer/tablet use (59%), while middle-age adults (30-59 years) showed a higher incidence of TV viewing (34%). People who adhered to stricter measures of quarantine presented a higher incidence of excessive screen time. CONCLUSION: High incidences of physical inactivity and excessive screen time were identified in specific population subgroups during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Changes in movement behaviors and back pain during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Quarantine periods change routines and behaviors with potential impact on different health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviors with changes in back pain during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine among Brazilian adults. METHODS: This was a nationwide survey through online questionnaires using data from 43,062 adults (≥ 18 years of age). Information on back pain was assessed using questions about episodes of back pain and worsening symptoms during the quarantine. The pattern of movement behaviors adopted before and during the pandemic were considered for physical inactivity (< 150 min/week of activity), high TV-viewing (≥ 4 h/d), and high computer/tablet use (≥ 4 h/d). Covariates included sex, age group, academic achievement, skin color, working status during the quarantine, and adherence to the quarantine. Logistic regression models were used for statistical analyses (weighted for national representativity). RESULTS: Becoming inactive (OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.37), with high TV-viewing (OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.61) and high computer/tablet use (OR=1.39, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.73) during the pandemic were associated with a higher incidence of back pain. The incidence of physical inactivity was also associated with increased back pain (OR=2.71, 95%CI: 1.64, 4.48). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that increased physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors due to the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine are associated with the incidence and worsening symptoms of back pain among Brazilian adults.

Physical inactivity and elevated TV-viewing reported changes during the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with mental health: A survey with 43,995 Brazilian adults.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the associations of physical activity and TV-viewing reported changes during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine with mental health among Brazilian adults with and without depression. METHODS: Data of 43,995 Brazilian adults from a cross-sectional, nationwide behavior research were used. Participants reported the frequency on loneliness, sadness (feel sad, crestfallen or depressed) and anxiety (feel worried, anxious or nervous) feelings during the pandemic period. Frequency and duration of physical activity as well as duration of TV-viewing before and during the pandemic period were also reported. We created four categories of reported changes in physical activity (1-consistently active, 2-become active, 3-become inactive or 4-consistently inactive) and TV-viewing (1-consistently high, 2-become low, 3-become high or 4-consistently high). Participants also reported previous diagnoses of depression [yes (PD) or no (nPD). Logistic regression models separating people with and without depression were created. RESULTS: Compared to consistently active participants, to become inactive during the pandemic was associated with a higher odds for loneliness [nPD:OR:1.32 (95%CI,1.02-1.70); PD:2.22 (1.21-4.06)], sadness [nPD:1.34 (1.01-1.77); PD:2.88 (1.54-5.36)], and anxiety [nPD:1.71 (1.30-2.25); PD:2.55 (1.20-5.42)]. Also, people with depression and consistently physically inactive presented higher odds for loneliness and sadness. Compared to consistently low TV-viewing, participants that become with high TV-viewing showed higher odds for loneliness [nPD:1.59 (1.37-1.86)], sadness [nPD:1.68 (1.44-1.96); PD:1.61 (1.21 to 2.15)] and anxiety [nPD:1.73 (1.48-2.02); PD:1.58 (1.12-2.23)]. CONCLUSIONS: Reported increases in physical inactivity and TV-viewing during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with poorer mental health indicators. People with depression and consistently physically inactivity were more likely to present loneliness and sadness.

Socioeconomic inequalities in the use of outpatient services in Brazil according to health care need: evidence from the World Health Survey.

BACKGROUND: The Brazilian health system is founded on the principle of equity, meaning provision of equal care for equal needs. However, little is known about the impact of health policies in narrowing socioeconomic health inequalities. Using data from the Brazilian World Health Survey, this paper addresses socioeconomic inequalities in the use of outpatient services according to intensity of need. METHODS: A three-stage cluster sampling was used to select 5000 adults (18 years and over). The non-response rate was 24.7% and calibration of the natural expansion factors was necessary to obtain the demographic structure of the Brazilian population. Utilization was established by use of outpatient services in the 12 months prior to the interview. Socioeconomic inequalities were analyzed by logistic regression models using years of schooling and private health insurance as independent variables, and controlling by age and sex. Effects of the socioeconomic variables on health services utilization were further analyzed according to self-rated health (good, fair and poor), considered as an indicator of intensity of health care need. RESULTS: Among the 5000 respondents, 63.4% used an outpatient service in the year preceding the survey. The association of health services utilization and self-rated health was significant (p < 0.001). Regarding socioeconomic inequalities, the less educated used health services less frequently, despite presenting worse health conditions. Highly significant effects were found for both socioeconomic variables, years of schooling (p < 0.001) and private health insurance (p < 0.00), after controlling for age and sex. Stratifying by self-rated health, the effects of both socioeconomic variables were significant among those with good health status, but not statistically significant among those with poor self-rated health. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis showed that the social gradient in outpatient services utilization decreases as the need is more intense. Among individuals with good self-rated health, possible explanations for the inequality are the lower use of preventive services and unequal supply of health services among the socially disadvantaged groups, or excessive use of health services by the wealthy. On the other hand, our results indicate an adequate performance of the Brazilian health system in narrowing socioeconomic inequalities in health in the most serious situations of need.