[The association between socio-demographic factors and leisure-time physical activity in the Pró-Saúde Study]

This study evaluated the relationship between socio-demographic variables and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). A baseline survey questionnaire was completed by 4,030 employees. LPTA was assessed as engagement in physical activities during the previous two weeks. The metabolic cost of LTPA was calculated based on frequency and amount of time participating in physical activities, assigning weekly metabolic equivalents (METs) to each activity. Odds ratios (OR) to express the relationship between socio-demographic factors and LTPA were estimated from multinomial regression models. The questions used to evaluate LTPA presented moderate reproducibility, with kappa correlation coefficients ranging from 0.45 to 0.88. Prevalence of LTPA was higher among men (52.2% men; 40.8% women). For both men and women, higher educational level and higher income were both associated with engaging in LPTA, this relationship being stronger for the highest tercile of METs as compared to physical inactivity. Men were more engaged in LTPA, and there was a strong association between LTPA and socio-demographic variables for both genders.