Time trends and COVID-19 post pandemic changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior prevalence among Brazilian adults between 2006 and 2021

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the time trends and prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behavior among Brazilian adults of state capitals between 2006 and 2021, including the pandemic period. Methods: This is a time series of cross-sectional surveys based on Telephone Surveillance for Chronic Diseases. Trends of sufficient leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), sufficient physical activity while commuting, insufficient practice of physical activity, and total screen time were estimated by using prais-winsten regression. Annual prevalence and time trends were estimated for each indicator by sex, age group and education. Results: For total population, significant time trends were found for LTPA (β=0.614) and total screen time (β=1.319). As for prevalence, LTPA increased from 29% in 2009 to 39% in 2019, followed by a reduction of 2.3% between 2020 and 2021. Total screen time prevalence increased considerably between 2019 and 2020 (4.7%). Though physical inactivity tended to reduce along the series, its prevalence increased by 3.4% between 2019 and 2021, as well as physical activity while commuting decreased by 3,7% in the same time period. Conclusion: Whereas LTPA increased along the years, it is uncertain whether this trend will be the same in the years following COVID-19. Not only people have altered their leisure-time habits, but also there is an increasing dominance of screen time due to changing working and social patterns. More strategies need to be addressed to tackle physical inactivity, sedentary behavior and review the national targets after the pandemic.