Neighborhood-based physical activity differences: Evaluation of the effect of health promotion program

Amanda Cristina de Souza Andrade; Sueli Aparecida Mingoti; Amanda Paula Fernandes; Roseli Gomes de Andrade; Amélia Augusta de Lima Friche; César Coelho Xavier; Fernando Augusto Proietti; Ana V Diez-Roux; Waleska Teixeira Caiaffa

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0192115

Neighborhood-based physical activity differences: Evaluation of the effect of health promotion program

PLoS One. 2018 Feb 5;13(2):e0192115. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192115. eCollection 2018.

Authors

Amanda Cristina de Souza Andrade^{1

2}, Sueli Aparecida Mingoti^{2

3}, Amanda Paula Fernandes^{1

2}, Roseli Gomes de Andrade^{1

2}, Amélia Augusta de Lima Friche^{1

2}, César Coelho Xavier^{2

4}, Fernando Augusto Proietti^{2

4}, Ana V Diez-Roux⁵, Waleska Teixeira Caiaffa^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
² Belo Horizonte Observatory for Urban Health, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
³ Institute of Exact Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
⁴ Faculty of Health and Human Ecology, Vespasiano, Brazil.
⁵ School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.

Abstract

Introduction: The practice of physical activity is an important factor in the prevention of health problems. However, a small portion of the population is physically active. Recent reviews show that physical activity classes in community settings have the potential to increase population levels of physical activity and reduce health inequalities.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the Academias da Cidade Program in Belo Horizonte on the practice of physical activity in leisure time (PALT) by non-users living near the program centers.

Methods: We conducted a home-based health survey in Belo Horizonte (2008-2009) with 1,581 adults who were non-users of the program and who lived within a 1,500-meter radius of one active program center (exposed group) and two nonoperational centers with sites reserved for their construction (unexposed group). We collected data on PALT levels (≥150 minutes/week), which was measured with the Physical Activity International Questionnaire and analyzed with binary logistic regression using the Generalized Estimating Equations method. The propensity score was used as an adjustment variable to control the potential confusion in the measures of effect of exposure studied.

Results: The overall prevalence of the PALT was 26.5% in the exposed group and 22.7% in the unexposed group. The exposed group was more likely to be active in leisure time (OR = 1.05; CI 95%: 1.01-1.10). When considering the interaction between exposed group and distance, individuals in the exposed group who lived less than 500 meters from the program center were more likely to be active in leisure time (OR = 1.18, CI 95%: 1.03-1.35) compared to their counterparts.

Conclusion: Promoting physical activity in the community can favorably affect PALT levels among residents, especially those living closest to intervention centers. We believe the Academias da Cidade Program is a promising strategy to facilitate the access to appropriate spaces for the practice of physical activity and contribute to increase the levels physical activity within populations.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Exercise*
Female
Health Promotion / standards*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Program Evaluation
Residence Characteristics*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Health Fund of the Ministry of Health, Fapemig, CNPq, NIH / Fogarty International Center. The CAPES for a research scholarship to ACSA and APF. CNPq for a research productivity scholarship to the researcher WTC. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.