Association between leisure-time physical activity and C-reactive protein levels in adults, in the city of Salvador, Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Leisure time physical activity (LTPA), defined as any type of bodily movement performed during leisure time, is associated with a reduction in the risk for many cardiovascular injuries.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the existence of an association between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in adults, in the city of Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study, with a sample of 822 men and women, aged > 20 years. Active in leisure time were those with a self-reported practice of physical activities in leisure time; high serum CRP levels were those with values > 3.0 mg/l. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).


RESULTS
Using multivariate analysis to adjust for potential confounders, we found an OR of 0.73 (0.68-0.79) among the men which shows the existence of an association between LTPA and high CRP levels only in male individuals. After a stratification by gender, obesity, diabetes and smoking habit, we found an association between LTPA and high CRP in non-obese and non-diabetic male smokers or former smokers; and in obese and non-smoking females.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study may bring contributions to public health, since they can be used to raise awareness of the importance of LTPA as a prospective strategy for population health improvement.
Pitanga
Francisco
F
Departamento de Educação Física, Faculdade de Educação, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil. fpitanga@unime.com.br
Lessa
Ines
I
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood
D002097:C-Reactive Protein