Nivel de actividad física medida a través del cuestionario internacional de actividad física, en adultos mayores de las parroquias urbanas de Cuenca-Ecuador, 2015

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Globally there is a demographic transition and the elderly population by 2050 will increase from 10% to 22%, in Ecuador in 2010 elderly people represented 7% and by 2050 will increase to 18%. Population aging leads to increased rates of chronic degenerative disease primarily associated with an insufficient level of physical activity increase the risk of death of 20% to 30%. There is evidence that moderate-vigorous physical activity levels reported health benefits. OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of physical activity through the IPAQ (short version) in adults older from urban parishes in Cuenca, 2015. METHODOLOGY: It is a descriptive study of 387 older adults in whom the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in its short version was applied by interview, after fulfilling the inclusion criteria: men and women with 65 years old and older who wish to participate and sign the informed consent. The data were analyzed and processed in SPSS version 15, using frequency distribution, measures of central tendency (mean) and dispersion (standard deviation). RESULTS: A total of 387 older adults were studied, the 64.6% were between 65-74 years, the average age stood at 72.77 years with a standard deviation of ± 7.47 years, were the 63.6% were female, the 55.8% were married , the 53.4% finished primary school, and the 70.5% was not active in work. The 45% of older adults had a high level of physical activity, 37% moderate and 18% low. Physical activity levels varied with age, marital status, education level and occupation. CONCLUSIONS: The older adults in Cuenca have a high level of physical activity, which may vary by certain socio- demographic characteristics