Medicina · Feb 13, 2026

Insufficient physical activity and its association with risk behaviors and health outcomes in Brazil

By Schäfer AA, Dumith SDC, Quadra MR et al.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between insufficient physical activity and health outcomes in adults and older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in two municipalities in southern Brazil between October 2020 and January 2021. Census tracts were randomly selected, followed by households. All people older than 18 years were invited to participate. The long version of the IPAQ questionnaire was used to assess insufficient physical activity. The following variables were also studied: poorer sleep quality, poorer diet quality, poorer perceived health, smoking, alcohol abuse, depressive symptoms, stress, sadness, and suicidal ideation. RESULTS: A total of 2.170 people were studied, and the prevalence of insufficient physical activity was 75.3%. In the crude analysis, all variables except stress were associated with insufficient physical activity. After adjustment for potential confounders, only the variables alcohol abuse and suicidal ideation were no longer associated. Individuals exposed to insufficient physical activity had a higher prevalence of poorer sleep and diet quality, poorer perceived health, smoking, depressive symptoms, and feelings of sadness. CONCLUSIONS: More health initiatives and public policies aimed at promoting physical activity are needed.

doi.org/10.11606/issn.2176-7262.rmrp.2025.215765Open accessPopulations