Physical activity and the prevention of chronic illness in the BRICS nations: Issues relating to gender equality

•More than 70% of all deaths in the BRICS countries are attributable to noncommunicable diseases.•There have been marked changes in physical activity levels, time use, and energy expenditure in these nations over the last 20 years.•There are marked gender differences in physical activity in 4 of the 5 BRICS nations, which largely reflect the overall gender inequalities in these...