Perfil de atividade física de trabalhadores de escritório brasileiros com e sem sobrepeso/obesidade

Abstract

Office workers are characterized by a predominance of sedentary behavior (SB), and a low level of physical activity at work. Sedentary behavior can be related to several non-communicable diseases and can be considered a risk factor for overweight and obesity. In this theme, recent studies have proposed an analysis of physical behavior within 24 hours. Furthermore, it is suggested that the behavior analysis be detailed for weekdays (work and non-work) and weekends. However, few studies have analyzed whether behaviors can differ in terms of people's weight. In Brazil, there are no studies on the characterization of the main behaviors of office workers according to the body mass index (BMI). Thus, the present study aimed to characterize and compare the physical behaviors of office workers with normal weight and overweight/obesity through wearable devices (accelerometer). Secondarily, the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and upper limb and spine functionality level was identified. Therefore, a sample of office workers was divided according to BMI into a normal weight group (GPN; n=17) and another overweight/obese group (GSO; n=26). The assessment was performed using wearable devices for 5 consecutive days, including weekdays and weekends. Four behaviors were determined through the analysis, being sedentary behavior (SB), standing time, physical activity (PA), and time-in-bed. Musculoskeletal symptoms and upper limb and spine functionality were assessed using questionnaires. Physical behavior data and questionnaires were processed and analyzed according to the appropriate statistical analysis. The findings show similarly for both groups that workers spent most of their time in SB, performed little physical activity, and had adequate rest time on weekdays and on weekends. The only difference observed was for SB during the non-working hours on weekdays, where the GSO spent more time on this behavior than the GPN (42 minutes). Both groups presented musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck and spine regions, which agrees with the current literature. In conclusion, physical behaviors do not seem to differ substantially among people with different BMI classification, but more studies are needed.