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Published in: International Journal of Public Health 1/2007

Open Access 01-02-2007 | Original article

Gender differences in leisure-time physical activity

Authors: Mario Renato Azevedo, Cora Luiza Pavin Araújo, Felipe Fossati Reichert, Fernando Vinholes Siqueira, Marcelo Cozzensa da Silva, Pedro Curi Hallal

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 1/2007

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Summary.

Objectives:

To explore the association between gender and leisure-time physical activity in a population-based sample of adults living in Brazil. To study a variety of variables possibly associated with physical activity levels.

Methods:

A multistage sampling of households was undertaken in Pelotas, a medium-sized Southern Brazilian city. Leisure-time physical activity was measured using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data on potential predictors of leisure-time physical activity behavior were collected using a standardized questionnaire. 1 344 men and 1 756 women were interviewed. Several definitions of moderate and vigorous-intensity physical activity were used.

Results:

Regardless of the guideline used, males were more active than women. Socioeconomic level was positively associated with leisure-time physical activity in both genders. A positive dose-response between age and inactivity was found in men, but not among women.

Conclusions:

Because men and women have different levels of physical activity, and the variables associated with activity levels are not consistent across the genders, interventions promoting physical activity should take these differences into account.
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Metadata
Title
Gender differences in leisure-time physical activity
Authors
Mario Renato Azevedo
Cora Luiza Pavin Araújo
Felipe Fossati Reichert
Fernando Vinholes Siqueira
Marcelo Cozzensa da Silva
Pedro Curi Hallal
Publication date
01-02-2007
Publisher
Birkhäuser-Verlag
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 1/2007
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-006-5062-1

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