Do girls wash dishes and boys play sports? Gender inequalities in physical activity and in the use of screen-based devices among schoolchildren from urban and rural areas in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze gender inequalities in types of physical activity (PA) and in the use of screen-based devices among schoolchildren from both urban and rural areas in Brazil.

METHODS: Data from two population-based surveys conducted in 2019 (urban areas: n = 2,479; 52.6% girls; age = 9.2 ± 1.51 years) and 2022 (rural areas: n = 979; 42.6% girls; age = 9.4 ± 1.52 years) were used. PA (active play, nonactive play, home chores, and structured physical activities) and the use of screen-based devices (TV, cellphone, videogame, and computer) were self-reported in a previous-day-recall online questionnaire (Web-CAAFE). Absolute gender inequalities were evaluated and presented as equiplots. Relative gender inequalities were evaluated by the prevalence ratio (PR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), which were estimated by Poisson regression, with adjustments for age and BMI z scores.

RESULTS: Girls from urban and rural areas presented a lower prevalence of active play and a higher prevalence of home chores. The prevalence of nonactive play among girls from urban areas was also lower; however, their prevalence of structured physical activities was higher, especially among girls aged seven to nine years. Girls in both urban and rural areas presented a higher prevalence of TV viewing and lower use of video games.

CONCLUSION: The gender inequalities observed in the types of physical activities and in the use of screen-based devices could be considered potential correlates of the likelihood of girls' and boys' compliance with the physical activity guidelines.