Changes in commuting to work and physical activity in the population of three municipalities in the São Paulo region in 2000 and 2010.

Objective:: To evaluate the changes in commuting to work and physical activity (PA) in the population of three municipalities in the São Paulo region in 2000 and 2010.

Methods:: Cross-sectional study with a representative sample of 602 adults (62.3% men) carried out in the municipalities of Santo André, São Bernardo do Campo and São Caetano do Sul in 2000 (n = 304; 66.1% men) and 2010 (n = 298; 58.4% men). Physical activity was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and participants were classified into active (≥ 150 min/week) and insufficiently active (< 150 min/week). The commuting to work was classified in active transport (walking and cycling), private (bike, car, vans and buses) and public (buses, vans, train or subway).

Results:: Average (min/week) PA walk (229.4 versus 190.6), moderate (449.1 versus 347.4), vigorous (354.4 versus 317.4) and total (552.3 versus 442.5) shows the participants were greater in 2010 than in 2000. The prevalence assets increased from 62.2 to 78.2%, respectively. A negative relationship was found between active transport and public with socioeconomic status; active transport and education level; public transport and age. Positive relationship was found only among private transport and socioeconomic status. The average of the total PA (min/week) was higher (p = 0.024; 32.2%) in 2010 than in 2000 for active transport.

Conclusions:: Surveillance data in full PA in the three municipalities of São Paulo indicate that the average active commuting to work increased after ten years, while public transport has decreased.