Leisure-time physical activity and licit substance use in a population sample of young adults

The scope of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with leisure-time physical activity, as well as to verify its association with licit substance use in a population sample of young adults. It is a cross-sectional population-based study with young adults aged between 18 and 35 years old, living in the urban area of the city of Pelotas in the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul. Sample selection was performed by clusters, being composed of 1953 individuals, among the 82 selected census tracts. The practice of physical activity was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The chi-square and Poisson regression tests were used for statistical analysis. The prevalence of young adults active in leisure-time physical activity was 25.3%; most were single males between 18 and 23 years, belonging to the people in the highest economic bracket and not smoking on a daily basis. Specific strategies should be developed to promote an active and healthy lifestyle, focusing on incentives for older, lower income class women who smoke.