A ten-year study of São Paulo residents revealed a widening inequality in leisure-time physical activity, with highly educated white men exercising more while women from racial minorities with lower education levels remain the least active. The findings were published in May in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.
The research, led by scientists at the University of São Paulo, tracked 978 participants from 2014 to 2024 and collected data at three intervals: 2014/15, 2020/21, and 2023/24. The analysis used intersectional social identities to examine how combinations of social characteristics shape opportunities for physical activity. The authors advocate for public policies that prioritize vulnerable groups when promoting recreational activities.
Alex Antonio Florindo, a professor at the USP School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities and an author of the article, said, "We work with the ecological model of physical activity, whose main objective is to explain it in terms of its determinants. Engaging in it doesn't depend solely on people's willingness but also involves the experiences they may have throughout their lives, the social support they receive from partners or family members, as well as external factors such as access to the environment and public policies. There's a significant gap between those who are able to engage in physical activity during their leisure time and those who aren't, even if they want to." According to survey results cited by Florindo's team, white men with higher education saw their prevalence of leisure-time exercise rise from 51% to 65%, while rates among more vulnerable groups increased from 29% to 39%, further widening disparities.
Nutritionist Miranda said, "In addition to dealing with an unequal distribution of domestic work, [women] often earn lower wages and face a lack of safety when visiting public spaces. Depending on the neighborhood where they live... there's a lack of urban infrastructure... poorly lit areas... few open spaces." Researchers used interviews alongside tools like the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a Multiple Jeopardy Index that combines sex, race/skin color, and educational attainment.
While walking as transportation showed no significant link between vulnerability index scores and participation rates—rising overall from about 62% to nearly 72%—Miranda said this type is "more driven by daily necessity and urban mobility conditions than personal choice." She added that improving access could help incorporate commuting-based exercise into daily life for broader health benefits.
The study’s sample was based on data from São Paulo’s Municipal Health Survey (ISA-Capital) across five health zones marked by socio-spatial inequalities. The authors emphasize integrated public policies aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are needed for health equity.
