Assessing a physical activity intervention in Brazil: are we advancing on physical activity levels?

Oral Presentation C14.1

Authors

  • Thania M. T. R. Faria Prefeitura de Belo Horizonte
  • Stephan Brenner Heidelberg University
  • Andreas Deckert Heidelberg University
  • Alex A. Florindo University of São Paulo
  • Gregore I. Mielke University of Queensland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.731

Keywords:

Public Health Practice, Physical Activity, Health Promotion, Impact Evaluation

Abstract

Background: In Brazil, non-communicable diseases were responsible for 75.8% of deaths in 2015, with physical inactivity heavily contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Purpose: To analyze the effect of a community-based physical activity program, the Health Academy Program, on the practice of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among the population living at the Brazilian state capitals. Methods: We pooled individual data from the National Surveillance for Protective and Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases (VIGITEL) between 2006 and 2016 and estimated odds ratios according to levels of exposure at city-level by using a multilevel logistic regression. Confounding variables included year of survey, sex, age and education. We further performed stratified analyses. Results: Total sample was composed of 572,437 individuals. In the initial model, chances of reaching sufficient LTPA was 1.20 times higher among individuals exposed since 2011. In the adjusted analyses, this same likelihood was attenuated to an odds ratio of 1.04. Odds of reaching recommended LTPA was 1.09 times higher among women exposed since 2011 as compared to control. No other statistically significant results were found. Conclusion: The Health Academy Program cannot substantially affect whole populations. Yet it is possible to visualize a positive influence in specific subgroups, pointing to the potential to reduce gender inequity in LTPA practice. We recommend more tailored interventions before indistinctively scaling up the program as a health promotion strategy. Funding: No specific financial support or funding was received to conduct the current study. 

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Faria, T., Brenner, S., Deckert, A., Florindo, A., & Mielke, G. (2021). Assessing a physical activity intervention in Brazil: are we advancing on physical activity levels? Oral Presentation C14.1. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.731