Physical inactivity, sedentary behavior and overweight: association study with socioeconomic status in youth

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to verify the association between socioeconomic factors and physical activity, sedentary behavior and overweight in youth. The sample was composed of 758 subjects from the population of initial military service . The independent variables were: socioeconomic class, marital status, educational level, and be worker. Physical Inactivity, exposures to sedentary behavior and be overweight were used as dependent variables. After adjustment, it was verified an association between physical inactivity and the indicators of economic status: education level (PR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.00 to 2.01) and be worker (PR = 1.67, CI95% =1.21 to 2.32). Overweight was associated with economic class "C" (PR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.40 to 4.84) and "D/E" (PR = 2.08, CI95% = 1.26 to 3.44). It is concluded that youth with higher education level and not employed were more physically inactive. It was showed association between lower economic status and excess body weight.