Fatores associados à prática da atividade física em adultos de Campo Grande /MS

Abstract

Physical activity went on to highlight health promotion policies in Brazil for its benefits on the prevention and control of chronic non-communicable diseases, by providing welfare, improving self-esteem and encouraging social interaction. The knowledge of the characteristics and demands of the community, as well as the identification of obstacles and difficulties posed by the physical and social environment for the practice of physical activity is essential to the development of effective actions in the area. To that end, the present research aimed to analyze the factors associated with the practice of physical activity in adults of Campo Grande/MS by applying a form in a representative sample of adults (396 individuals) resident in an area covered by a Basic Unit of Family Health (UBSF) of the municipality. It was found as favorable aspects to the practice of physical activity: being a man, auto evaluate positively; the advance of age; meet and places such as parks/squares next to the residence. It was also verified that highly-educated individuals and family gross income between 6 to 8 minimum wages were more active than the others. In relation to community living, seemed to relate to: participating on culture/religious activity in the neighborhood/region; finding the neighborhood offers sites that promote contact among residents; knowing/having heard about free physical activity program in the neighborhood/region; changing the neighborhood; using the referenced Health Center; and being resident in the residence who attends public school in the neighborhood/region. It does not seem to influence the practice of physical activity in this population: having a good relationship with neighbors; feeling happy in the neighborhood in which he/she lives; and feeling safe circulating on the streets of the neighborhood/region. It was identified that the population understands the physical activity as the activity they do, the most quoted definition is the "jogging/running". It was identified that for this population physical activity relates primarily to health, which was attributed a great importance since it "does well/is good for health". About the barriers reported by non-practitioners, the most frequent were the "lack of time/work" and the "lack of interest/laziness", and among the main reasons practitioners to perform physical activity were: "to improve/maintain health"; "to prevent/control disease or pain"; and "to lose weight/keep fit". About the stages of behavior change was found the men's association to the maintenance stage and women to the stage of preparation; the association of the elderly to the maintenance stage; the positive perception of health maintenance and regular stage to the stage of contemplation; and knowing/having heard about physical activity programs at the stage of preparation.