Factors associated with sedentary behavior based on computer, tablet, or cell phone use: data on 52,443 Brazilian adults

Factores asociados al comportamiento sedentario en adultos

Resumo

This study aims to verify the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, health conditions, and self-perceived health levels associated with sedentary behavior based on computer, tablet, or cell phone use during leisure time in adults from the Brazilian capitals and Federal District. This is a cross-sectional study derived from the Vigitel survey, carried out in 2019 with individuals at least eighteen years old. The outcome was the time spent on computers, tablets, or cell phones (at least four hours per day). The study independent variables were sex, age, marital status, skin color, region of Brazil, education level, smoking status, excessive consumption of alcohol and processed foods, leisure time physical activity and physical activity recommendations, presence of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, and self-perceived health, obtained through a questionnaire. The data analysis used binary logistic regression, the Wald heterogeneity test, and the linear trend test. Among the 52,443 participants, individuals who lived without a partner (p<0.001), who were black (p=0.041), had a higher education level (p<0.001), excessively consumed alcohol (p<0.001) and processed foods (p<0.001), and had worse self-perceived health (p<0.001) were more likely to use a computer, tablet, or cell phone for leisure compared to their peers. Older individuals (p<0.001) and those living in southern Brazil (p=0.003) had a lower chance of having the investigated outcome compared to younger participants and those from the north region, respectively. Factors such as age, marital status, and education level are more strongly associated with prolonged use of computers, tablets, or cell phones.