Comparison of physical activity time, sedentary behavior and anxiety symptoms of residents of coastal cities and non-coastal cities: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the duration of physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and anxiety symptoms among inhabitants in coastal cities (CC) and non-coastal cities (NCC). METHODS: This cross-sectional study, included residents in the city of São Sebastião (CC) and São Paulo (NCC). The research participants completed questionnaires assessing anxiety symptoms using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and their physical activity levels using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The surveys were sent using the Google Forms Platform, with participants selected based on convenience. RESULTS: A total of 308 participants were included in the present study, with 154 participants from the CC and 154 participants from the NCC. significant differences (p<0.001) were verified for the variables: walking [(CC= 80 (30 – 210 minutes per week); NCC= 100 (30 – 195 minutes per week)], MPA [city coastal = 120 (0 – 285 minutes per week); NCC= 75 (0 – 203 minutes per week)], MVPA [CC= 150 (0 – 360 minutes per week); NCC= 122 (0 – 300 minutes per week), and for the variables weekday SB [CC= 4.0 (3.0 – 8.0 hours); NCC= 6.0 (5.0 – 9.0 hours)], and daily SB [CC= 4.8 (2.9 – 7.0 hours); NCC= 6.6 (4.9 – 9.1 hours)]. CONCLUSION: Residents in coastal cities exhibit increased walking duration, MPA, MVPA, and reduced SB during weekday, as well as SB daily. However, they do not experience diferences in symptoms of anxiety.