Spatial analysis of leisure-time physical activity in an urban area

Abstract

Objective: analyze the spatial distribution of the prevalence of leisure-time physical activity (LPA) in a Brazilian urban area and its association with the characteristics of the physical and social environment. Method: a cross-sectional study with data from the Risk Factors Surveillance system for chronic non-communicable diseases from the years 2008-2010, in Belo Horizonte, MG. The outcome was the performance of LPA and the independent variables were residential and population density, the density of places for physical activity, homicide rates, average family income, health vulnerability index. The spatial scanning technique was employed to identify clusters with a high prevalence of LPA at leisure. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare variables inside and outside the cluster. Results: the sample included 5,779 participants, 33.26% (EP = 0.73) of whom reported practicing sufficient PA during leisure time. We identified a significant cluster of a high prevalence of LPA. After adjustments, the cluster presented a radius of 3,041.99 meters and 603 individuals, 293 (48.6%) of who practiced sufficient LPA. The probability of practicing sufficient LPA in the cluster was 32% higher (PR= 1.32; p= 0.0016) than in the AAUBS that do not belong to the cluster. There was a higher density of places for LPA practice, higher population and residential density and higher family income in the cluster. Conclusions: The results evidenced a cluster of a high prevalence of LPA in a privileged physical and socioeconomic environment in Belo Horizonte, even after adjustments, demonstrating that reducing inequalities can increase LPA.