Abstract

BENEDETTI, Tânia Rosane Bertoldo; MAZO, Giovana Zarpellon  and  BORGES, Lucélia Justino. Health status and physical activity levels among the elderly who are participants and non-participants in social welfare groups in Florianópolis. Ciênc. saúde coletiva [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.8, pp. 2087-2093. ISSN 1413-8123.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232012000800019.

This study sought to verify the association between health status and physical activity levels among the elderly who are participants and non-participants in social welfare groups in Florianópolis in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The sample included 1,062 elderly people (625 women), mean age 71.9 (±7.6). The variables analyzed were gender, age, schooling, marital status, physical activity levels (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) and physical health status information (Brazil Elderly Schedule Questionnaire). Data were analyzed by Chi-square test. The results revealed that 60.6% were classified as physically active (total physical activity level) and 74% of the elderly reported illness. Illness status was more prevalent among social welfare group participants than non-participants. However, a better positive perception of physical health status was observed among social groups participants. For women, participation in social welfare groups was associated with a positive perception of physical health status (p<0.001) and with illness (p=0.005). The conclusion was that participation in social welfare groups contributes to a better perception of physical health status, as well as for the maintenance of adequate physical activity levels.

Keywords : Health status; Physical activity; Social groups; The elderly.