Ximena Díaz

Socio-demographic patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Chile: results from the National Health Survey 2009–2010

BACKGROUND Surveillance of physical activity (PA) is essential for the development of health promotion initiatives. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of PA and sedentary behaviour with respect to socio-demographic factors in Chile. METHODS A representative sample of 5434 adults aged ≥15 years (59% women) who participated in the Chilean National Health Survey (2009-2010) were included. Socio-demographic data (age, sex, environment, education level, income level and smoking status) were collected for all participants. PA levels were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS 19.8% [95% CI: 18.1-21.6] of the Chilean population did not meet PA recommendations (≥600 MET min week(-1)). The prevalence of physical inactivity was higher in participants aged ≥65 years, compared with the youngest age groups and was higher in women than in men. However, it was lower for participants with high, compared with low, education or income levels. The overall prevalence of sedentary risk behaviour (spending >4 h sitting per day) was 35.9% [95% CI: 33.7-38.2]. CONCLUSION Physical inactivity correlates strongly with socio-demographic factors such as age, gender and educational level. Results identify social and economic groups to which future public health interventions should be aimed to increase PA in the Chilean population.

Factores asociados a sedentarismo en Chile: evidencia de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2009-2010

BACKGROUND Sedentary behaviors are one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. AIM To identify factors associated with high sedentary behaviors in the Chilean population. MATERIAL AND METHODS We included 5,040 participants from the Chilean National Health Survey 2009-2010. Physical activity level and sedentary behavior (sitting time) were measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ v2). Highly sedentary behaviors were determined as > 4 hours per day of sitting time. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of highly sedentary behavior. RESULTS Forty seven percent of the study population reported spending more than 4 hours per day sitting. The prevalence was higher in women. The main factors associated with high sedentary behavior were: high income levels (Odds ratio (OR):1.91 [95% Confidence intervals (CI:1.61-2.27]); being woman (OR:1.39 [95% CI:1.24-1.56]): having central obesity (OR:1.15 [95% CI:1.02-1.30]), being physically inactive (OR:2.35 [95% CI:2.06-2.68]), and living in an urban area (OR:1.92 [95% CI:1.63-2.26]). Other factors associates with high sedentary behavior were: being smoker, having a television set, computer and private car at their homes. Participants reporting a poor self-reported health and wellbeing and those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome were more likely to be highly sedentary. CONCLUSIONS The main factors associated with high levels of sedentary behavior are socio-demographic issues, lifestyles and health status.

Aumento del índice de masa corporal durante las últimas cuatro décadas en la población chilena: de la desnutrición a la obesidad = Increase in body mass index during the last four decades in Chile: from undernutrition to obesity

Sr. Editor La obesidad es un importante factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de enfermedades cardiovasculares, diabetes mellitus tipo 2, cancer, problemas musculo-esqueleticos, y otras enfermedades cronicas no transmisibles [1, 2]. La preocupacion mundial por la obesidad y su impacto economico en la salud, ha llevado a la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud (OMS) a incluir esta en la lista de los objetivos sanitarios globales para enfermedades no transmisibles (Global Non-comunicable diseases (Global-NCD)). Dentro de los nuevos objetivos de esta iniciativa esta el detener el aumento de la obesidad (0% de incremento) para el ano 2025 [2]; sin embargo, se desconoce si tales objetivos sanitarios seran alcanzados en el plazo propuesto. Un reciente estudio liderado por el grupo de investigacion en Factores de Riesgo para Enfermedades No-transmisibles (NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RiskC)) [3], reporto la tendencia de los cambios en indice de masa corporal (IMC) entre 1975 y 2014 en un total de 19,2 millones de personas en 200 paises del mundo. A nivel mundial, el IMC habria aumentado de 21,7 a 24,2 kg/m2 en hombres y de 22,1 a 24,4 kg/m2 en mujeres durante el periodo estudiado. Este incremento es equivalente a 6,6 y 6,3 kg de peso corporal para hombres y mujeres, respectivamente, con una estatura de 1,63 metros. La prevalencia de la obesidad a nivel mundial se incremento de 3,2% a 10,8% en hombres y de 6,4% a 14,9% en mujeres de acuerdo a este estudio[3]. Estos resultados alertan a que si esta tendencia al incremento del IMC continua, no sera posible cumplir con los objetivos sanitarios propuestos por el Global-NCD y la OMS. Leer mas...

Menor peso corporal, de índice de masa corporal y de perímetro de cintura se asocian a una disminución en factores de riesgo cardiovascular en población chilena

BACKGROUND Overall and central obesity are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. AIM To investigate the association of body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with cardiovascular risk factors in Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS We included 5,157 participants from the National Health Survey 2009-2010. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia (high total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and low HDL-cholesterol) were defined using international recommendations. BMI and WC were measured using standardized protocols. RESULTS A five percent lower body weight, BMI and WC were associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular risk factors. For each 5% reduction in body weight, the risk for hypertension decreased by 8 and 9% in women and men respectively. Similar risk reductions were observed for diabetes (9 and 11% respectively), metabolic syndrome (23 and 30% respectively), low HDL cholesterol (13 and 13% respectively), high triglyceride levels (16 and 18% respectively) and total cholesterol (8 and 10% respectively). Similar findings were observed for BMI and WC. CONCLUSIONS Lower body weight, BMI or WC are associated with important reductions in cardiovascular risk factors. A 5% reduction in these adiposity markers could be a perfectly feasible goal for lifestyle interventions.Overall and central obesity are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Aim: To investigate the association of body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with cardiovascular risk factors in Chile. Material and Methods: We included 5,157 participants from the National Health Survey 2009-2010. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia (high total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and low HDL-cholesterol) were defined using international recommendations. BMI and WC were measured using standardized protocols. Results: A five percent lower body weight, BMI and WC were associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular risk factors. For each 5% reduction in body weight, the risk for hypertension decreased by 8 and 9% in women and men respectively. Similar risk reductions were observed for diabetes (9 and 11% respectively), metabolic syndrome (23 and 30% respectively), low HDL cholesterol (13 and 13% respectively), high triglyceride levels (16 and 18% respectively) and total cholesterol (8 and 10% respectively). Similar findings were observed for BMI and WC. Conclusions: Lower body weight, BMI or WC are associated with important reductions in cardiovascular risk factors. A 5% reduction in these adiposity markers could be a perfectly feasible goal for lifestyle interventions