Author:

• Bruno Luciano Carneiro Alves de Oliveira - Oliveira, B.L.C.A - <oliveira.bruno@ufma.br>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8053-7972

Co-author(s):

• Ana Karina Bezerra Pinheiro - Pinheiro, A.K.B - <anakarinaufc@hotmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3837-4131

Abstract:

Changes in health behaviors of elderly people (≥65 years old) in Brazil included in the National Health Survey 2013 (n=7,712) and 2019 (n=15,926) were analyzed. Cross-sectional study compared prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of current and past smoking; alcohol abuse; leisure-time physical activity; consumption of fruits and vegetables. Differences were considered statistically significant at the 5% level. All positive health behaviors increased significantly over the period. The consumption of fruits and vegetables were the most prevalent, and smoking cessation the one that grew the most. The consumption of fruits and vegetables, physical activity during leisure time and alcohol abuse prevailed in the capitals, while current and past smokers in the countryside. Men had higher estimates of current and past smoking and alcohol abuse. In younger women, alcohol abuse significantly increased. Leisure-time physical activity did not differ between genders. Women consumed more fruit at all ages and years, but vegetables depended on age and year. The prevalence of healthy health behaviors increased in Brazil. However, individual and contextual inequalities remained and affected the achievement of healthier levels of health.

Keywords:

Aged; Smoking; Diet; Alcohol Drinking; Physical Activity.

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