title: [Trends in leisure time physical activity practice in the 1995-2005 period in Girona].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the study were: to describe the distribution of physical activity practice; to determine the prevalence and trends of sedentary lifestyle in the population aged 35 to 74 years of Girona in the 1995-2005 period; and to identify the variables associated to sedentary lifestyle at the population level.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from three independent population-based cross-sectional studies undertaken in 1995 (n=1419), 2000 (n=2499), and 2005 (n=5628) were analyzed. Physical activity was measured using the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity questionnaire. Sedentary lifestyle was defined as an energy expenditure in moderate physical activity (4-5.5 METs) <675 kcal/week or <420 kcal/week in intense PA (≥ 6 METs). Logistic regression was used to determine the variables associated with sedentary lifestyle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age-standardized prevalence of sedentary lifestyle was 53.8%, 39.5%, and 32.6% in 1995, 2000, and 2005 respectively. The prevalence of sedentary lifestyle has decreased especially in women older than 50 years living in the urban areas. An increase in light and moderate physical activity practice in men older than 50 years and in light physical activity practice in women older than 50 years was observed. Female gender, age, smoking and lower educational level were associated with a higher prevalence of sedentary lifestyle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of sedentary lifestyle has decreased in the 1995-2005 period in Girona, especially in women, but is still high. Health promotion programs should include physical activity practice as a key element and should take into account gender and social inequalities.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Epidemiología y Genética Cardiovascular, IMIM, Barcelona, España; Unidad Docente de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública (IMAS-UPF-ASPB), Barcelona, España. relosua@IMIM.es
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Redondo
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Subirana
authors.forename: Rafel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Pascual
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Solanas
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Masiá
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marrugat
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elosua
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population