Physical inactivity and associated factors: a study with metal-mechanical sector’s workers of the city of Ponta Grossa – PR

Abstract

The objective was to verify the prevalence and associated factors with low levels of physical activity of the metal mechanical sector’s workers of the city of Ponta Grossa - Paraná. The sample was calculated considering the metal mechanic sector’s population of the city, being composed by 298 workers (89,9% male). For the evaluation of physical activity we used the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), short version. It was considered physical inactivity who had not met the recommendation of 150 minutes per week. Analyzed demographic and socioeconomic variables were gender, age, economic level, marital status, education level, occupational class and IMC. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between outcome and independent variables, considering p ≤ 0.05. The prevalence of physical inactivity was 30,2% (CI95%: 20,5-39,9). Results on the adjusted analysis have indicated that workers who perform administrative functions (OR: 2.81, 95%CI: 1.47-5.35) and with age above 30 years (OR: 2.31, 95%CI: 1.27-4.20) were more likely to be physical inactivity. These findings may be useful in planning, implementation guidelines and specific interventions for this population.