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Physical activity in leisure time as a protective factor against obesity in the adult population of the rural area of Quingeo, Cuenca-Ecuador

Abstract:

Introduction: Obesity is considered as a global epidemic, which is growing fast and with a prevalence that is estimated to rise in the next years. On the other hand, physical activity has demonstrated multiple benefits, including being a cardiovascular risk protective factor. However, the impact of physical activity in obesity has not been evaluated in the rural parishes of Cuenca-Ecuador. Materials and methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional field study was performed in 530 individuals residing in the Quingeo parish of the city of Cuenca, Azuay Province. Physical activity was evaluated through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), which evaluated physical activity at home, work, transportation and leisure time. It was also classified according to the metabolic equivalents mean (METs), in high or low for each domain. A logistic regression for obesity was performed adjusting for: sex, age group, working status, smoking habit, drinking habit, coffee intake, physical activity at work, in transportations, at home and in leisure time. Results: 17.7% of the population was obese, being higher in women (20.4%) compared to men (13.8%). Leisure physical activity showed a statistically significant difference between obese [0 (0-1039) METs/min/week] and non-obese [346 (0- 1386) METs/min/week] (p=0.005). The factors that showed the greatest influence for obesity were the female sex (OR=1.78, 95%CI:1.01-3.17, p=0.048), age 45 to 65 years (OR=1.79, 95%CI:1.05-2.94, p=0.031), age over 65 years (OR=2.09, 95%CI: 1.06-4.09; p=0.032); and leisure physical activity behaved as a protection factor for obesity (OR=0.46, 95%CI: 0.22-1.45, p=0.038). Conclusion: Physical activity in leisure time behaves as a protective factor for obesity in rural parishes. It is necessary to recommend physical activity to the general adult population as well as to patients at risk, during the primary attention medical consult.