Atividade física e doenças crônicas em idosos de Rio Claro-SP

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyzed physical activity level (PAL) and the prevalence of chronic diseases (CD) in older people living at Rio Claro/SP city. The sample was composed by 192 older people, mean 70 ± 7 years-old; selected by stratified technique according to tractus census. The assessments were done by means of: Baecke Questionnaire Modified for the Elderly and Socio-Demographic and Health Questionnaire. The data analysis included descriptive statistics and parametric and non- parametric tests, at p<0.05. In general the PAL of older people was low and no differences between genders were observed. With regards pathologies women reported more diseases than men and hypertension was the most prevalent. We conclude that older people living at Rio Claro/SP present: a) low PAL and they can be classified as sedentary; with no difference between men and women; b) higher prevalence of CD in women; hypertension as the most common pathology.