This paper aims to verify the association between the combined relationship of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour (SB) at leisure-time and the prevalence of noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) in Brazilian adults and elderly. This is a cross-sectional study, derived from the VIGITEL system, with individuals ≥18 years old (n = 52,675). The presence of NCDs (diabetes, hypertension, and obesity) and the independent variables were defined by self-report. Binary logistic regression was used. While adults with the presence of, at least, one risky behaviour had a higher odds to have obesity (OR _{active + high SB}: 1.25; 95%CI: 1.01;1.54; OR _{inactive + low SB}: 1.47; 95%CI: 1.25;1.73; OR _{inactive + high SB}: 1.77; 95%CI: 1.47;2.12), the elderly had an increased risk for this outcome only when classified as inactive (OR _{inactive + low SB}: 1.43; 95%CI: 1.17;1.75; OR _{inactive + high SB}: 1.87; 95%CI: 1.47;2.38). Inactive adults with low SB were more likely to have diabetes (OR _{inactive + low SB}: 1.31; 95%CI: 1.00;1.71) and hypertension (OR _{inactive + low SB}: 1.26; 95%CI: 1.08;1.46), while physical inactivity was again more strongly associated with these outcomes in the elderly, for diabetes (OR _{inactive + low SB}: 1.23; 95%CI: 1.02;1.48; OR _{inactive + high SB}: 1.75; 95%CI: 1.39;2.19), and hypertension (OR _{inactive + low SB}: 1.22; 95%CI: 1.05;1.41; OR _{inactive + high SB}: 1.60; 95%CI: 1.33;1.94) Both leisure-time behaviours carry a high risk of the prevalence of different NCDs, however, physical inactivity, isolated or combined, showed a greater association with the evaluated outcomes.HighlightsThis cross-national survey included representative sample of people ≥18 years old.Adults with at least one evident risky behavior had a higher chance of obesity.Inactive adults with low sedentary behavior had higher chances for diabetes and hypertension.Physical inactivity was more strongly associated with all diseases in the elderly.

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