Socioeconomic Inequalities in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in Chile: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies

Purpose: Understanding the socioeconomic inequalities in physical (in)activity and sedentary behaviours is essential to address the socioeconomic gradient in obesity. The prevalence of obesity in Chile is high and associated with socioeconomic position (SEP). Therefore, we systematically reviewed, for the first time, SEP inequalities in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in Chile.
Methods: Peer-reviewed and grey literature were searched until 31st December 2019 in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Sciences and LILACS. Observational studies included were in English and Spanish, and reported comparisons of physical activity or sedentary behaviour between at least two SEP groups in Chile. Two independent researchers conducted data searches, screening, extraction, and quality assessment using the Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.
Results/findings: Seventeen articles (from 16 separate study samples) met the inclusion criteria (14 cross-sectional; 2 cohort). Across them, quality was considered low, medium and high for 19, 69 and 13% respectively. There was consistent evidence for a lower leisure-time physical activity and sitting time, and higher physical inactivity among adults from the lower SEP groups. Associations between SEP and total PA, moderate-and-vigorous PA, low PA, and transport and work-related PA were inconsistent.
Conclusions: Lower SEP groups in Chile spent less time in leisure-time physical activities and are more likely to be physically inactive, when compared to their higher SEP counterparts. These findings are in line with previous US and European studies. Further policies should aim at understanding and tackling the unequal distribution of factors affecting leisure-time PA and physical inactivity in lower SEP groups.