Prevalence of dyslipidemia in individuals physically active during childhood, adolescence and adult age.

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.