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OBJETIVO: Avaliar o nível de atividade física em professores da rede pública estadual de ensino. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal conduzido com 1.681 professores de São Paulo, SP, em 2009. A versão curta do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física foi aplicada e o nível de atividade física dos professores foi categorizado em baixo, moderado ou alto. A amostra foi estratificada por idade, região da cidade e sexo. O teste de qui-quadrado foi aplicado nas comparações e o nível de significância adotado foi de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de nível baixo de atividade física foi de 46,3%, e os níveis moderado e alto representaram 42,7% e 11%, respectivamente. Níveis baixos de atividade física foram mais prevalentes em indivíduos de 31 a 42 anos (19,5%) e menor prevalência foi observada de 55 a 66 anos (5,7%). Níveis moderados e altos foram menos prevalentes em idade mais avançada. Mais professores apresentaram nível baixo (50,5%) e alto (11,4%) de atividade física na região leste em relação à sul (baixo: 48,6%; alto: 8.1%). O número de professores com nível moderado foi significativamente menor na região leste (38,1%) comparada à sul (43,3%). O número de homens com nível baixo (53%) e alto (14,1%) de atividade física foi significantemente maior que em mulheres (baixo: 42,9%; alto: 9,4%). A prevalência de homens com nível moderado (32,9%) foi significativamente menor em comparação às mulheres (47,7%). CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de nível baixo de atividade física foi marcadamente elevada. Diferenças nas idades, regiões e sexos devem ser consideradas no planejamento e direcionamento de campanhas que visem promover aumento dos níveis de atividade física nessa população. OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of physical activity in public school teachers. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted with 1,681 teachers from the city of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, in 2009. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version was applied and the level of physical activity was categorized as low, moderate or high. The study sample was stratified by age, gender and area of the city (south and east). The chi-square test was used for comparisons at a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: The prevalence of low, moderate and high levels of physical activity was 46.3%, 42.7% and 11%, respectively. Low physical activity was more prevalent among those aged 31 to 42 years (19.5%) and less prevalent among those aged 55 to 66 (5.7%). Moderate and high levels of physical activity were less prevalent among older teachers. A greater proportion of teachers showed low and high levels of physical activity in the east compared to the south of the city (50.5% vs. 48.6%; 11.4% vs. 8.1%, respectively). The proportion of teachers reporting moderate physical activity was significantly lower in the east (38.1%) compared to the south of the city (43.3%). Low and high levels of physical activity were significantly higher in men than women (53% vs. 42.9%; 14.1% vs. 9.4%, respectively). The prevalence of moderate level of physical activity was significantly lower in men (32.9%) than women (47.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of low physical activity was strikingly high. Variables such as age, gender and city area should be taken into account while planning and targeting campaigns aimed at promoting increased physical activity in this population. OBJETIVO: Evaluar el nivel de actividad física en profesores de la red pública estatal de educación. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal conducido con 1.681 profesores de Sao Paulo, sureste de Brasil, en 2009. La versión corta del Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física fue aplicada y el nivel de actividad física de los profesores fue categorizado en bajo, moderado o alto. La muestra fue estratificada por edad, región de la ciudad y sexo. La prueba de chi-cuadrado fue aplicada en las comparaciones y el nivel de significancia adoptado fue de p

To assess the level of physical activity in public school teachers.Cross-sectional study conducted with 1,681 teachers from the city of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, in 2009. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version was applied and the level of physical activity was categorized as low, moderate or high. The study sample was stratified by age, gender and area of the city (south and east). The chi-square test was used for comparisons at a 5% level of significance.The prevalence of low, moderate and high levels of physical activity was 46.3%, 42.7% and 11%, respectively. Low physical activity was more prevalent among those aged 31 to 42 years (19.5%) and less prevalent among those aged 55 to 66 (5.7%). Moderate and high levels of physical activity were less prevalent among older teachers. A greater proportion of teachers showed low and high levels of physical activity in the east compared to the south of the city (50.5% vs. 48.6%; 11.4% vs. 8.1%, respectively). The proportion of teachers reporting moderate physical activity was significantly lower in the east (38.1%) compared to the south of the city (43.3%). Low and high levels of physical activity were significantly higher in men than women (53% vs. 42.9%; 14.1% vs. 9.4%, respectively). The prevalence of moderate level of physical activity was significantly lower in men (32.9%) than women (47.7%).The prevalence of low physical activity was strikingly high. Variables such as age, gender and city area should be taken into account while planning and targeting campaigns aimed at promoting increased physical activity in this population.