Sociodemographic, occupational profile and physical activity among workers from a physical activity community program

Abstract

Objective: Describe the sociodemographic and occupational profile and the practice of physical activity in workers from the National Habits and Healthy Lifestyles program in Colombia.

Method: This was a cross-sectional study with 319 workers. The self-administered questionnaire was composed of: i) sociodemographic aspects; ii) practice and intensity of physical activity in different domains: work, leisure, commute and domestic. The most prevalent age group ranged from 19 to 39 years of age.

Results: Most of workers presented academic training related to physical education, sports and/or recreational, with 56.7% having completed the Bachelor degree. Workers in non-professional senior monitor positions (OR=7.0); non-professional monitors (OR = 9.4) and professional monitors (OR=5.8) were more likely to spend more time in moderate to vigorous physical activity compared to managers, monitors and active and healthy pathways monitors. The professionals in formation (OR=2.0) had a higher chance of practicing more total moderate to vigorous physical activity compared to graduates. Greater investment in training and continuing education is needed since only 12.5% ​​of the professionals had specialization/masters’ degree training.

Conclusion: The National Habits and Healthy Lifestyles Program was present in at least one departmental and/or municipal program in Colombia. Most of the staff had professional training in areas related to physical activity, and the program offered training for the staff. Most of the moderate to vigorous physical activity was spent at work, and monitors were more likely to spend more time in occupational physical activity.