Secular Trends and Sociodemographic Correlates of Walking among Adolescents in Southern Brazil (2007–2017/2018)

Walking is an important and popular form of physical activity for health, whose trends of decline among Brazilian adolescents over the years remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyze the secular trend and sociodemographic correlates of walking among adolescents in southern Brazil (2007–2017/18). Two cross-sectional surveys, conducted in 2007 and 2017/18, gathered data from 1967 adolescents in Florianopolis, Brazil, using a standard protocol. We collected data on the weekly frequency and duration of walking practice. Gender, age, and socioeconomic status (SES) were modeled in logistic regression analysis. Overall, the weekly volume (time) spent walking declined by 43.1% over the years. In all gender, age, and SES subgroups, walking declined from 31.5% to 51.7%. Compared to 2007 adolescents, girls (OR: 4.14; 95% CI: 2.66–6.43), younger adolescents (15 years: OR: 3.23; 95% CI: 1.74–5, 98; 16 years: OR: 4.36; 95% CI: 2.66–7.15) and those with low SES (OR: 3.48; 95% CI: 2.13–5.68) and high SES (OR: 3.39; 95% CI: 2.21–5.20) were the 2017/18 groups most likely to be inactive on the walk. This study reveals a decline in walking among adolescents in southern Brazil, affecting all analyzed sociodemographic groups. Girls, younger adolescents, and individuals from both ends of the socioeconomic spectrum showed higher probabilities of inactivity in this form of physical activity. Targeted public policies aimed at promoting walking and addressing the specific needs of girls, youth, and various socioeconomic groups are necessary.