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Physical inactivity and sociodemographic characteristics in the rural population from Cumbe and Quingeo, Ecuador

Abstract:

Introduction: Physical inactivity is one of the main risk factors for the development of chronic noncommunicable diseases. Thus the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of physical inactivity in adults from the Cumbe and Quingeo populations, Cuenca, Ecuador and to evaluate its association with the various sociodemographic factors in these rural locations. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed. It included 904 individuals of both sexes of the rural parishes of Cumbe and Quingeo, selected using a multistage random sampling. Physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), determining the total METs/min/wk and for each physical activity domain, those with <600 METs/ min/ wk being considered inactive. Results: Of the 904 subjects evaluated, 62.1% (n=561) were women, the prevalence of physical inactivity was 8.1% (n=73) with a greater percentage in the transport and leisure domain with 63.1 % and 63.9%, respectively. The sphere of leisure showed the greatest number of sociodemographic characteristics related to physical inactivity, specifically the group of women: (inactive: 69.4% vs. active: 49.1%, p<0.01), employees: (inactive: 70, 8% vs active: 55.8%, p<0.01), in older groups and subjects with lower educational level. Conclusions: There is a low prevalence of global physical inactivity in the rural populations of Cumbe and Quingeo, however in the individual analysis by domains the frequencies increase drastically, especially in leisure time physical activities. Being important to intervene in the main risk groups.