Physical inactivity as a risk factor for all-cause mortality in Brazil (1990-2017)

The aim of this study was to estimate the mortality from all causes as a result of physical inactivity in Brazil and in Brazilian states over 28 years (1990-2017).

Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study for Brazil and states were used. The metrics used were the summary exposure value (SEV), the number of deaths, age-standardized mortality rates, and the fraction of population risk attributable to physical inactivity.

The Brazilian population presented risk of exposure to physical inactivity of (age-standardized SEV) of 59% (95% U.I. 22-97) in 1990 and 59% in 2017 (95% U.I. 25-99). Physical inactivity contributed a significant number of deaths (1990, 22,537, 95% U.I. 12,157-34,745; 2017, 32,410, 95% U.I. 17,976-49,657) in the analyzed period. These values represented mortality rates standardized by age (per 100,000 inhabitants) of 31 (95% U.I. 17-48) in 1990 and 15 (95% U.I. 8-23) in 2017. From 1990 to 2017, a decrease in standardized death rate from all causes attributable to physical inactivity was observed in Brazil (- 52%, 95% U.I. - 54 to - 49). The Brazilian states with better socioeconomic conditions presented greater reductions in age-standardized mortality (male: rho = 0.80; female: rho 0.84) over the period of 28 years.

These findings support the promotion of physical activity in the Brazilian population for the prevention of early mortality.