Dr. Matus-Castillo, Carlos

La práctica regular de actividad física (AF) se asocia a un número importante de beneficios sobre la salud, incluyendo la reducción de enfermedades cardiovasculares, diabetes mellitus tipo 2, hipertensión arterial, depresión, demencia y algunos tipos de cáncer, como de colon y mamas (Figura 1). Se estima que el 9% de mortalidad prematura por cualquier causa (equivalente a 5.3 millones de muertes por año), se podrían prevenir si la población cumpliera con las recomendaciones de AF, es decir, realizara al menos 150 minutos de AF de intensidad moderada o >75 minutos de AF de intensidad vigorosa por semana.

Background: The Chilean population reports high levels of physical inactivity. The relationship between income level, physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors is not well known. Aim: To describe the levels of PA and sedentary time, according to income levels in the Chilean population. Material and Methods: Analysis of data from the Chilean National Health Survey 2016-2017, which included 5,130 participants (52.9% women). The levels of PA and sedentary time were measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Income levels were established according to the self-reported income per capita of the households and presented as quintiles. PA levels according to income levels were estimated by linear regression analyses. Results: Transport-related PA was higher in the lowest income quintiles (p = 0.039). There were no trends for income levels and PA domains including moderate, vigorous, total, occupational and leisure PA. The prevalence of leisure and occupational physical inactivities were higher in the lowest quintiles of income. Sitting time was higher in the higher income levels (p < 0.01). Conclusions: People in the lowest quintile for income spent more time in transport-related PA and less time sitting. However, physical inactivity prevalence during leisure and work time were higher in people with lower income.