Effect of Physical Inactivity on Major Noncommunicable Diseases and Life Expectancy in Brazil

Author(s)

Machado de Rezende, Leandro Fornias ^{[1, 2]} ; Rabacow, Fabiana Maluf ^[1] ; Kodaira Viscondi, Juliana Yukari ^[1] ; Luiz, Olinda do Carmo ^[1] ; Rodrigues Matsudo, Victor Keihan ^[2] ; Lee, I-Min ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Prevent Med, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Ctr Studies & Phys Fitness, Lab Sao Caetano do Sul CELAFISCS, Sao Caetano do Sul - Brazil

^[3] Harvard Univ, Sch Med, Dept Med, Boston, MA - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH; v. 12, n. 3, p. 299-306, MAR 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

Background: In Brazil, one-fifth of the population reports not doing any physical activity. This study aimed to assess the impact of physical inactivity on major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), all-cause mortality and life expectancy in Brazil, by region and sociodemographic profile. Methods: We estimated the population attributable fraction (PAF) for physical inactivity associated with coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, colon cancer, and all-cause mortality. To calculate the PAF, we used the physical inactivity prevalence from the 2008 Brazilian Household Survey and relative risk data in the literature. Results: In Brazil, physical inactivity is attributable to 3% to 5% of all major NCDs and 5.31% of all-cause mortality, ranging from 5.82% in the southeastern region to 2.83% in the southern region. Eliminating physical inactivity would increase the life expectancy by an average of 0.31 years. This reduction would affect mainly individuals with >= 15 years of schooling, male, Asian, elderly; residing in an urban area and earning >= 2 times the national minimum wage. Conclusions: In Brazil, physical inactivity has a major impact on NCDs and mortality, principally in the southeastern and central-west regions. Public policies and interventions promoting physical activity will significantly improve the health of the population. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/07314-8 - Risk factors to chronic diseases: sedentary behavior and health outcomes in middle-aged and older adults
• Grantee: Olinda Do Carmo Luiz
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants