Physical activity and body mass index in the adult Portuguese Population

In Portugal, there is lack of data about the prevalence of physical activity regular practice, when stratified by body mass index categories. The objective of the present project is to study the association of physical activity practice with (a) socio¬demographic characteristics and (b) body mass index. This was an observational and cross-sectional study with data collected between January/2003 and January/2005 through standardized questionnaire (face-to-face interviews), followed by anthropometric measurements (weight, height and waist and hips circumferences). Collected sample is representative of the adult (18-64 years old) continental Portuguese population. For the assessment of physical activity, Baecke Questionnaire of Habitual Physical Activity was used. Overall, 8116 portuguese adults participated in this survey. 27.9% reported to practice some kind of sports-related activity. The proportion of those who practice sport decreases with age. The proportion of men who reported higher levels of physical activity was significantly higher than the proportion in women. Scores in physical activity for any context are significantly correlated with educational level (stronger for leisure time physical activity). In leisure and sport activities, the score of physical activity is negatively correlated with body mass index. Regarding physical activity in work context, it was found a positive correlation with body mass index. In conclusion, there is a need for public health strategies that facilitate and promote physical activity in leisure time, most especially addressing elderly and low educational level group