[Physical Inactivity and All-Cause Mortality Risk in Chile: Results of the National Health Survey 2009-2010]

There is extensive evidence regarding the role of physical inactivity and an increased risk of all-cause mortality. However, to date, no follow-up studies have been conducted in Chile that analyze this association considering sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health factors.

To analyze the association between physical inactivity and the risk of all-cause mortality in the Chilean population over 15 years of age, considering the differential effects of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health factors on this relationship.

This study is a secondary analysis of the 2009-2010 National Health Survey (NHS) conducted by the Chilean Ministry of Health. This is a prospective study with 10.3 years of follow-up with 4539 participants (59.7% women, 46.2 ± 18.4 years). Physical inactivity was determined with the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and mortality was obtained by linking death data from the Civil Registry and Identification of Chile until December 2020. The analysis was stratified according to sociodemographic factors.

Physically inactive people had a higher risk of mortality compared to those who were active (HR: 3.12; 95% CI: 2.60 to 3.73), which was maintained after adjusting for confounding variables, including sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health factors (HR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.34 to 1.97). Inactive people had an average of 5.8 years less to live compared to those who met the physical activity recommendations. The risk of mortality was higher in inactive people aged 60 years or older, women, and residents of urban areas with medium/high educational levels and high economic income.

Physical inactivity was identified as a risk factor for mortality for the Chilean population, where certain sociodemographic characteristics could increase and accelerate said risk.