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Physical activity among health professionals from South and Northeast Brazil

This cross-sectional study analyzed 240 primary healthcare units, linked either to the traditional primary care model or the Family Health Program (FHP), involving a total of 3,347 health professionals who answered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Prevalence of sedentary lifestyle (< 150 minutes of physical activity per week) was 27.5% (95%CI: 25.9-29.0). Sedentary lifestyle was more frequent among health professionals in the traditional model, with the difference explained by the presence of community health agents, whose work only involves extensive physical activity in the FHP model. Sedentary health professionals were proportionally more common in large cities with better socioeconomic conditions. The study highlights the importance of education for health professionals aimed at orientation and practice in physical activities and collaboration between primary healthcare workers and physical education teachers.

Motor Activity; Health Personnel; Family Health Program


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