Background: The prevalence of dyslipidemia is increasing in many parts of Brazil, but it is yet unclear how much exercise is needed to attain beneficial effects on plasma lipoprotein levels.
Objective: The study analyzed eight cities of the state of São Paulo, the association between the continued practice of physical exercise throughout life and the occurrence of dyslipidemia in adulthood.
Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 2,720 adults, of both sexes, living in eight cities of the state of São Paulo. Through household interviews, the presence of dyslipidemia was self-reported and physical exercise practice was assessed in childhood (7-10 years), adolescence (11-17 years) and adulthood (leisure activities). In the statistical analysis, multivariate models were created using binary logistic regression.
Results: The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 12.2% (95%CI: 11.1% -13.5%) and there was no difference between cities (p = 0.443). Women (p = 0.001) and obese individuals (p = 0.001) had a higher rate of dyslipidemia. Current practice of physical exercise was not associated with the presence of dyslipidemia ([≥ 180 minutes per week] p = 0.165); however, physical exercise, both in childhood (p = 0.001) and adolescence (p = 0.001) was associated with a lower incidence of the disease. Physically active adults in all three stages of life were 65% less likely to report dyslipidemia (OR = 0.35 [0.15 to 0.78]).
Conclusion: The continued practice of physical exercise throughout life was associated with a lower incidence of dyslipidemia in adults in the State of São Paulo.