Race-ethnicity differences in physical activity in Brazilian state capitals: an analysis of the 2023 Vigitel survey
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.30e0405Keywords:
Exercise, Sedentary lifestyle, Health disparities, Urban population, Racial GroupsAbstract
Objective: To assess race-ethnicity differences in physical activity practice among adults in Brazilian state capitals. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from Surveillance System for Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey 2023 (18 59 years). Physical activity practice was analyzed across four domains (leisure, occupational, commuting, and household) based on self-report. The Chi-square test assessed differences across race-ethnicity groups (Mixed-race, White, Black). Results: The sample (n = 14,402; 53% women; 45% with 9-11 years of education) was predominantly composed of Mixed-race (46%), White (38%), and Black (14%) individuals. Significant differences were observed across all physical activity domains, with a higher proportion of White individuals engaging in leisure-time physical activity, while Black and Mixed-race individuals had a higher proportion of all other domains. Regarding the intersection of ethnicity and education, significant differences were observed across all race-ethnicity groups in the leisure and occupational domains, individuals with higher education levels (≥12 years) had a greater proportion of leisure-time physical activity and a lower proportion of occupational-related physical activity. Conclusions: The findings reveal race ethnicity disparities in physical activity practice, with White individuals engaging more in leisure-time activities and Black and Mixed-race individuals participating more in household, commuting, and occupational-related activities. Regardless of ethnicity, those with higher education levels reported greater engagement in leisure-time activities and less engagement in occupational-related activities. Future research should focus on better understanding and reducing these disparities through public policies addressing the intersection of ethnicity and education in access to leisure activities, in particular.
Downloads
References
1. Hallal PC, Andersen LB, Bull FC, Guthold R, Haskell W, Ekelund U. Global physical activity levels: surveillance progress, pitfalls, and prospects. Lancet. 2012;380(9838):247–57.
2. Sher C, Wu C. Race, immigrant status, and inequality in physical activity: An intersectional and life course approach. Can Rev Sociol. 2023;60(4):763–800. .
3. Las Casas RCR, Bernal RTI, Jorge AO, et al. Fatores associados à prática de atividade física no tempo livre na população adulta brasileira (VIGITEL 2013). Saúde em Debate. 2018;42(Suppl 4):134–44.
4. Paiva GB, Araújo MFS, Rodrigues PAF, Carvalho PHM, Oliveira F, Corrêa Neto VG, et al. Associations between intersectional relationships of oppression and domains of physical activity in the VIGITEL study (2016–2020). Rev Bras Ciênc Esporte. 2024;46(1):e29704.
5. Brasil. Ministério dos Direitos Humanos e da Cidadania. SEPPIR completa dez anos [Internet]. Brasília; 20 mar 2013. Disponível em: <https://www.gov.br/mdh/pt-br/navegue-por-temas/politicas-para-mulheres/arquivo/area-imprensa/ultimas_noticias/2013/03/20-03-dez-anos-da-seppir-marcam-decada-de-institucionalizacao-da-promocao-da-igualdade-racial-no-pais> [2025 junho].
6. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Portaria GM/MS nº 992, de 13 maio 2009. Institui a Política Nacional de Saúde Integral da População Negra. Diário Oficial da União; 2009.
7. Brasil. Lei nº 12.288, de 20 julho 2010. Institui o Estatuto da Igualdade Racial e o Sistema Nacional de Promoção da Igualdade Racial (Sinapir). Diário Oficial da União; 2010.
8. Brasil. Lei nº 12.711, de 29 de agosto de 2012. Dispõe sobre o ingresso nas universidades federais e nas instituições federais de ensino técnico de nível médio. Diário Oficial da União; 30 ago 2012.
9. Gomes GA, Reis RS, Parra DC, Ribeiro I, Hino AA, Hallal PC, et al. Fatores sociodemográficos associados aos diferentes domínios da atividade física em adultos de etnia negra. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2021;24:e210007.
10. Romeiro MC, Florindo AA, Latorre MRDO. Mudanças no deslocamento para o trabalho e na atividade física da população de três municípios da região de São Paulo nos anos de 2000 e 2010. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2017;20(2):274–85.
11. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2019.
12. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Saúde Brasil 2018: uma análise de situação de saúde e das doenças e agravos crônicos, desafios e perspectivas. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2019.
13. Mielke GI, Malta DC, Nunes BP, Cairney J. All are equal, but some are more equal than others: social determinants of leisure time physical activity through the lens of intersectionality. BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):36.
14. Bertuol C, Oliveira SN, Tozetto AVB, Duca GF Del. Leisure-time physical activities and their association with active behavior in other domains and sociodemographic aspects: a population-based study with adults residing in the Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District. Cien Saude Colet. 2022;27(6):2187–96.
15. Silva ICM da, Mielke GI, Bertoldi AD, Arrais PSD, Luiza VL, Mengue SS, et al. Overall and Leisure-Time Physical Activity Among Brazilian Adults: National Survey Based on the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. J Phys Act Health. 2018;15(3):212–8.
16. Sallis JF, Cerin E, Conway TL, Adams MA, Frank LD, Pratt M, et al. Physical activity in relation to urban environments in 14 cities worldwide: a cross-sectional study. Lancet. 2016;387(10034):2207–17. .
17. Rodrigues PF, Melo M, Assis M, Oliveira A. Condições socioeconômicas e prática de atividades físicas em adultos e idosos: uma revisão sistemática. Rev Bras Ativ Fís Saúde. 2017;22(3):217–32.
18. Ferrari G, Dulgheroff PT, Claro RM, Rezende LFM, Azeredo CM. Socioeconomic inequalities in physical activity in Brazil: a pooled cross-sectional analysis from 2013 to 2019. Int J Equity Health. 2021;20(1):188.
19. Hallal PC, Lee IM, Sarmiento OL, Powell KE. The future of physical activity: from sick individuals to healthy populations. Int J Epidemiol. 2024;53(5):dyae129.
20. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. VIGITEL Brasil 2023: Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção Para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2023.
21. Knuth AG, Leite GS, Santos SF da S dos, Crochemore-Silva I. Is it possible to decolonize the field of physical activity and health? J Phys Act Health. 2024;21(7):633–5.
22. Las Casas RCR, Bernal RTI, Jorge AO, Melo EM, Malta DC. Fatores associados à prática de atividade física na população brasileira – Vigitel 2013. Saúde Debate. 2023;42(Supl 4 Dez):134–44.
23. Wendt A, Ricardo LIC, Costa CS, Knuth AG, Tenório MCM, Crochemore-Silva I. Socioeconomic and gender inequalities in leisure-time physical activity and access to public policies in Brazil from 2013 to 2019. J Phys Act Health. 2021;18(12):1503–10.
24. Holtermann A, Krause N, van der Beek AJ, Straker L. The physical activity paradox: six reasons why occupational physical activity (OPA) does not confer the cardiovascular health benefits that leisure time physical activity does. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(3):149–50.
25. He XZ, Baker DW. Differences in leisure-time, household, and work-related physical activity by race, ethnicity, and education. J Gen Intern Med. 2005;20(3):259–66.
26. Bopp M, Wilson OWA, Elliott LD, Holland KE, Duffey M, Papalia Z. Gender and race/ethnicity differences in occupational activity among students. Arch Environ Occup Health. 2023;78(3):170–6.
27. Knuth AG, Antunes PC. Práticas corporais/atividades físicas demarcadas como privilégio e não escolha: análise à luz das desigualdades brasileiras. Saúde Soc. 2021;30(2):e200450.
28. Bastone AC, Moreira BS, Vasconcelos KS de S, Magalhães AS, Coelho DM, Silva JI da, et al. Tendências temporais da atividade física no lazer e no transporte na população adulta brasileira: resultados do Vigitel, 2010–2019. Cad Saúde Pública. 2022;38(10):e00149221.
29. Kim EJ, Kim J, Kim H. Does Environmental Walkability Matter? The Role of Walkable Environment in Active Commuting. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(4):1261.
30. O’Donoghue G, Kennedy A, Puggina A, Aleksovska K, Buck C, Burns C, et al. Socio-economic determinants of physical activity across the life course: A "DEterminants of DIet and Physical ACtivity" (DEDIPAC) umbrella literature review. PLoS One. 2018 Jan 19;13(1):e0190737.
31. Bertuol C, Tozetto AVB, de Oliveira SN, Del Duca GF. Sex differences in the association between educational level and specific domains of physical activity: a Brazilian cross-national survey. Can J Public Health. 2022 Jun;113(3):474-483.
32. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Censo Demográfico 2022: população e domicílios - primeiros resultados. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2023. Disponível em: https://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/index.php/biblioteca-catalogo?view=detalhes&id=2102011.
33. Ribeiro D. O povo brasileiro: a formação e o sentido do Brasil. São Paulo: Companhia das Letras; 1995.
34. Almeida S. Racismo estrutural. São Paulo: Pólen Livros; 2019.
35. Hasenbalg C. Discriminação e desigualdades raciais no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: Graal; 1979.
36. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019: acesso às instalações públicas de esporte e lazer [Internet]. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2020. Disponível em: <https://agenciadenoticias.ibge.gov.br/agencia-de-noticias/2012-agencia-de-noticias/noticias/27704-pns-2019-67-de-pessoas-praticam-esporte-ou-atividade-fisica-e-30-fazem-isso-em-espacos-publicos> [2025 junho].
37. Malta DC, Gomes CS, Barros MBA, Lima MG, Almeida WS, Sá ACMGN, et al. Desigualdade social na prática de atividades físicas no Brasil: uma visão a partir da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019. Cad Saúde Pública. 2021;37(5):e00018821.
38. Gomes GAO, Kokubun E, Farias Júnior JC. Acesso a equipamentos de esporte e lazer nas comunidades e desigualdade na prática de atividades físicas. Rev Bras Ativ Fís Saúde. 2020;25:e0090.
39. Kohl HW 3rd, Craig CL, Lambert EV, Inoue S, Alkandari JR, Leetongin G, Kahlmeier S; Lancet Physical Activity Series Working Group. The pandemic of physical inactivity: global action for public health. Lancet. 2012;380(9838):294-305.
40. Lima-Costa MF, Oliveira C de, Macinko J. Disparities in telephone coverage in Brazil: who are the population segments excluded from telephone surveys? Am J Public Health. 2011;101(8):1599–600.
41. Szwarcwald CL, Damacena GN. Amostragem em pesquisas com telefonia celular: aspectos metodológicos. Cad Saúde Pública. 2008;24(5):1103–11.
42. Ainsworth BE, Caspersen CJ, Matthews CE, Mâsse LC, Baranowski T, Zhu W. Recommendations to improve the accuracy of estimates of physical activity derived from self-report. J Phys Act Health. 2012;9(Suppl 1):S76–S84.
43. Prince SA, Adamo KB, Hamel ME, Hardt J, Gorber SC, Tremblay M. A comparison of direct versus self-report measures for assessing physical activity in adults: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2008;5:56.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Bruno Oliveira Amorim Sampaio, Laura Luciano Scaciota, Luis Carlos Oliveira, Joyce Moreira Camargo, Priscilla Bispo Delgado Alvares, João Carlos dos Santos Quintanilha, Camila Ribeiro Palmer, Alex Antonio Florindo, Heitor Siqueira Ribeiro, Pedro Curi Hallal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
When submitting a manuscript to the Revista Brasileira de Atividade Física & Saúde, the authors retain the copyright to the article and authorize the Revista Brasileira de Atividade Física & Saúde to publish the manuscript under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and identify it as the original publication source.
