Ciclovias, atividade física no lazer e hipertensão arterial: um estudo longitudinal

Abstract

Living close to green areas and regions with high walkability index contribute to reducing the risk of diseases, but there are few longitudinal studies in low-and middle-income countries. In São Paulo, there was an important policy to implement bicycle paths, and the protective effect of physical activities on diseases such as hypertension is already known. To verify the relationships between possible changes in exposure to bike paths within 1 km of homes with leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), we used data from a cohort where n=1,431 people were evaluated between 2014/2015 and 2020/2021. LTPA and hypertension were assessed by questionnaires. The availability of bike paths within 1 km of residential addresses was evaluated between 2015 and 2020 by georeferencing and changes in the period were calculated. Bivariate statistical associations and multilevel analyzes were performed. There was an increase in hypertension (from 26.2% to 35.6%) and in LTPA (from 36.4% to 47.6%), but they were inversely associated in both periods (p<0.001). The increase of exposition in bike paths was more localized in the central regions of the city. Multilevel analyzes showed that people who were exposed to positive maintenance or an increase in bike paths were more likely to practice LTPA in the period (OR=1.39 CI95% 1.07-1.79). However, it is necessary to expand these facilities throughout the city of São Paulo to reduce environmental inequalities and to contribute more effectively to the prevention of hypertension.