Global prevalence and gender inequalities in at least 60 min of self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity 1 or more days per week: An analysis with 707,616 adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend that adolescents should accumulate an average of 60 min per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, using only this cut-off could hide important information. For instance, from a population-level point of view, increasing physical activity for those with no or low physical activity could provide more health benefits than increasing physical activity for those with intermediate levels. Also, including a more sensitive cut-point of ≥1 day per week could be an additional strategy for identifying those with low access/opportunities for physical activity practice. Thus, the current study aims to estimate the prevalence of ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week among adolescents globally, and to describe any relevant gender inequalities. METHODS: We used representative datasets from 146 countries/territories collected between 2003 and 2019. MVPA was self-reported. Participants were grouped into younger (≤14 years old) and older (>14 years old) adolescents. Crude Poisson regression models were used to identify the relative differences in ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week between boys and girls, and random-effects meta-analysis models were used to identify the pooled estimates. Analyses were stratified by country and region. RESULTS: Approximately 80% of both younger and older adolescents reported ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week. This prevalence was ≥94% in Europe and Central Asia and North America, while the estimates for the other regions were <77%. The prevalence of ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week was higher among boys than girls, with the largest differences occurring among the oldest adolescents (PR≤14y: 1.04 (95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.03‒1.04) vs. PR>14y: 1.09 (95%CI: 1.08‒1.10)). CONCLUSION: Approximately 8 out of 10 adolescents reported accumulating ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 day per week, with notable differences between regions. Gender differences were observed in several countries, especially among the oldest adolescents. Priorities for physical activity promotion among adolescents should include increasing access/opportunities for physical activity among those who do not achieve ≥60 min of MVPA ≥1 days per week and reducing gender inequalities.

Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Meeting the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines Among Low-Income Brazilian Older Adults With Chronic Diseases.

This study examined the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of meeting individual behavior and 24-hr movement behavior guidelines among Brazilian older adults with chronic diseases. The sample comprised 273 older adults aged ≥60 years (80.2% women) with chronic diseases from Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Sociodemographic variables were self-reported, while 24-hr movement behaviors were assessed by accelerometry. Participants were classified as meeting (or not meeting) individual and integrated recommendations for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary behavior, and sleep duration. No participant met the 24-hr movement behavior guidelines, while only 8.4% met integrated MVPA/sleep recommendations. The prevalence of meeting recommendations of MVPA, sedentary behavior, and sleep was 28.9%, 0.4%, and 32.6%, respectively. Discrepancies according to sociodemographic variables on meeting MVPA recommendations existed. The findings show the need for dissemination and implementation strategies to foster adoption of the 24-hr movement behavior guidelines among Brazilian older adults with chronic diseases.

Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of physical activity and sitting time among South American adolescents: a harmonized analysis of nationally representative cross-sectional surveys.

BACKGROUND: To identify the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of different domains of physical activity (PA) and higher sitting time among South American adolescents. METHODS: Data from national surveys of 11 South American countries were analyzed, and comprised information on 166,901 adolescents. PA (≥ 60 min/day of moderate-vigorous PA), physical education classes (PEC) (≥ 3 classes/wk), active commuting to school (≥ 1 d/wk), and higher sitting time (≥ 3 h/d) were self-reported. Sociodemographic correlates, such as gender, age, and food security status were explored using a random effect meta-analysis for logistic parameters. RESULTS: Recommended PA ranged between 7.5% (Brazil) and 19.0% (Suriname). Peru (2.2%) and Guyana (43.1%) presented the lowest prevalence of PEC and active commuting to school, respectively. Higher sitting time was less prevalent in Bolivia (24.6%) and more prevalent in Argentina (55.6%). Compared to girls, boys were more prone to reach recommendations for PA [OR = 1.94(1.65;2.28)]; to reach ≥ 3 PEC [OR = 1.17(1.04;1.33)] and to be active in commuting to school [(OR = 1.14(1.06;1.23)], but less prone to higher sitting time [OR = 0.89(0.82;0.96)]. Older adolescents had less odds of reach PA guidelines [OR = 0.86(0.77; 0.97)] and accumulated higher sitting time [OR = 1.27(1.14;1.41)]. Adolescents with food insecurity reported more PEC [OR = 1.12(1.04;1.21)] and active commuting to school [OR = 1.12(1.02;1.22)] but had less higher sitting time than their food security pairs [OR = 0.89(0.81;0.98)]. CONCLUSIONS: Few adolescents reach the PA recommendation. Actions aiming the promotion of PA and the reduction of sitting time must consider girls and older adolescents as target groups, as well as the specifics of each country.

Temporal Trends in Children's School Day Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from a limited sample of countries indicates that time for physical education and recess during school have declined. Schools are called to provide children with 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated temporal trends in children's school day MVPA. METHODS: Three online databases were searched to identify studies with objectively measured MVPA, during school hours, in school aged children (5-18 y). Multilevel random-effects meta-analyses estimated MVPA by year, and meta-regression analyses estimated temporal trends in school day MVPA. RESULTS: Studies (N = 65) providing 171 MVPA estimates, representing 60,779 unique children, from 32 countries, and spanning 2003-2019 were identified. Most studies were conducted in North America (n = 33) or Europe (n = 21). School day MVPA ranged from 18.1 (95% confidence interval, 15.1-21.1) to 47.1 (95% confidence interval, 39.4-54.8) minutes per day in any given year. Meta-regression analyses indicated that MVPA declined from 2003 to 2010 (approximately 15 min decline), plateaued from 2010 to 2015 (approximately 1 min decrease), and increased from 2015 to 2019 (approximately 5 min increase). CONCLUSIONS: School day MVPA decreased from 2003 to 2010 and has recently begun to increase. However, the majority of the evidence is from North America and Europe with some evidence from Oceania and very little evidence from Asia to South America.

Associations between Movement Behaviours and Obesity Markers among Preschoolers Compliant and Non-Compliant with Sleep Duration: A Latent Profile Analysis.

This study identifies physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) clusters in preschoolers compliant (C) or non-compliant (NC) with sleep recommendations; and associates these clusters with obesity markers. PA and SB were objectively assessed (Actigraph WGT3-X) in 272 preschoolers (4.4 ± 0.7 years old). Sleep duration was parent-reported, and preschoolers were classified as C (3-4 years old: 600-780 min/day; 5 years old: 540-660 min/day) or NC with sleep recommendations. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were assessed according to international protocols. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and light physical activity (LPA) were categorized as low/high (<60 min/>60 min/day or <180 min/180 min/day, respectively). SB was defined according to mean values between clusters. Latent profile analysis was performed. Associations between the observed clusters and obesity markers were determined using linear regression (RStudio; 1.3.1073). Four cluster solutions for C and NC preschoolers were identified. A negative association between C/Low MVPA cluster and BMI, and a positive association between NC/Low MVPA and BMI (ß = -0.8, 95%CI = -1.6;-0.1, and ß = 0.9, 95%CI = 0.1;1.7, respectively) were observed. No association was seen for SB clusters. Adequate sleep duration may have a protective role for preschoolers' BMI, even if the children do not comply with MVPA recommendations.

Reallocating Time From Sedentary Behavior to Physical Activity in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: Analyzing the Effects on Walking Capacity Using Compositional Data Analysis.

BACKGROUND: To examine the associations between physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with walking capacity and the effects of reallocating time from SB to PA in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) using compositional data analysis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 178 patients (34% females, mean age = 66 [9] y, body mass index = 27.8 [5.0] kg/m2, and ankle-brachial index = 0.60 [0.18]). Walking capacity was assessed as the total walking distance (TWD) achieved in a 6-minute walk test, while SB, light-intensity PA, and moderate to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) were measured by a triaxial accelerometer and conceptualized as a time-use composition. Associations between time reallocation among wake-time behaviors and TWD were determined using compositional isotemporal substitution models. RESULTS: A positive association of MVPA with TWD (relative to remaining behaviors) was found in men (ßilr = 66.9, SE = 21.4, P = .003) and women (ßilr = 56.5, SE = 19.8; P = .005). Reallocating 30 minutes per week from SB to MVPA was associated with higher TWD in men (6.7 m; 95% confidence interval, 2.6-10.9 m) and women (4.5 m; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-7.5 m). CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight, using a compositional approach, the beneficial and independent association of MVPA with walking capacity in patients with symptomatic PAD, whereas SB and light-intensity PA were not associated.

Children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on weekdays versus weekend days: a multi-country analysis.

PURPOSE: The Structured Days Hypothesis (SDH) posits that children's behaviors associated with obesity - such as physical activity - are more favorable on days that contain more 'structure' (i.e., a pre-planned, segmented, and adult-supervised environment) such as school weekdays, compared to days with less structure, such as weekend days. The purpose of this study was to compare children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels on weekdays versus weekend days using a large, multi-country, accelerometer-measured physical activity dataset. METHODS: Data were received from the International Children's Accelerometer Database (ICAD) July 2019. The ICAD inclusion criteria for a valid day of wear, only non-intervention data (e.g., baseline intervention data), children with at least 1 weekday and 1 weekend day, and ICAD studies with data collected exclusively during school months, were included for analyses. Mixed effects models accounting for the nested nature of the data (i.e., days within children) assessed MVPA minutes per day (min/day MVPA) differences between weekdays and weekend days by region/country, adjusted for age, sex, and total wear time. Separate meta-analytical models explored differences by age and country/region for sex and child weight-status. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Valid data from 15 studies representing 5794 children (61% female, 10.7 ± 2.1 yrs., 24% with overweight/obesity) and 35,263 days of valid accelerometer data from 5 distinct countries/regions were used. Boys and girls accumulated 12.6 min/day (95% CI: 9.0, 16.2) and 9.4 min/day (95% CI: 7.2, 11.6) more MVPA on weekdays versus weekend days, respectively. Children from mainland Europe had the largest differences (17.1 min/day more MVPA on weekdays versus weekend days, 95% CI: 15.3, 19.0) compared to the other countries/regions. Children who were classified as overweight/obese or normal weight/underweight accumulated 9.5 min/day (95% CI: 6.9, 12.2) and 10.9 min/day (95% CI: 8.3, 13.5) of additional MVPA on weekdays versus weekend days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Children from multiple countries/regions accumulated significantly more MVPA on weekdays versus weekend days during school months. This finding aligns with the SDH and warrants future intervention studies to prioritize less-structured days, such as weekend days, and to consider providing opportunities for all children to access additional opportunities to be active.

Physical activity and sedentary time of youth in structured settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Structured settings, such as school, childcare, afterschool programs, summer camps, and physical activity/sport programs are crucial to promoting physical activity (PA) opportunities and reducing sedentary (ST) for children and adolescents. However, little is known about how much PA and ST children and adolescents accumulate in structured settings. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the absolute amount of time youth spend physically active and sedentary in different structured settings (Prospero number: 42018111804). METHODS: Observational and experimental/quasi-experimental studies (baseline data only) with full-text available, written in English and published in a peer-reviewed journal, reporting the total amount of objectively measured PA (light, moderate, vigorous, and/or total physical activity) and/or time spent ST during structured settings among youth (3 to 18 years) were eligible. Adjusted meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled mean of time spent in PA and ST, by settings and sex. RESULTS: A total of 187 studies (childcare n=60; school n=91; afterschool programs n=14; summer camp n=4; and Physical activity/ sport programs n=18) from 30 countries (47.9% United States), representing 74,870 youth (mean age 8.6 years old) were included. Overall, there was a high variation between studies in outcomes and settings. The meta-analyses revealed, on average, youth spend 221.8 minutes (36.7 min/hour) in ST and 32.1 minutes (5.1 min/hour) in MVPA during childcare hours, and 223.9 minutes (36.7min/hour) in ST and 27.8 min (4.4 min/hour) in MVPA at school. Relatively, youth are engaged in more MVPA in afterschool programs (11.7 min/hour), PA/ sport programs (20.9 min/hour), and summer camps (6.4 min/hour), when compared to childcare and school. CONCLUSION: Total PA accumulated during childcare and MVPA accumulated during schools hours were close to recommendations, despite high proportion of ST. Afterschool programs, summer camp and PA/ sport programs are important settings that can contribute to daily PA and reduced ST. Ensuring all youth have access to these structured settings may be an important step forward for public health.

Clusters of non-dietary obesogenic behaviors among adolescents in Brazil: a latent profile analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To identify patterns of non-dietary obesogenic behaviors, and social and environmental factors associated with overweight and obesity (OWOB). METHODS: A representative sample (n = 5520) of high school students (55.4% girls, 16.3 ± 1.0 years) from Pernambuco State, Brazil. Latent profile analyses were performed using self-reported daily sleep duration, television use, computer use, videogame use, seated time during the week and weekend days, physical activity, and active commuting to school during the week. Social and environmental factors and body mass index were included to identify classes. Multinomial analysis explored differences in social, environmental factors, and BMI by classes. RESULTS: Five patterns were identified [Computer users (C1), Short sleepers (C2), Typical behaviors (C3), Techno-active-gamers (C4), and Lower screen engagement (C5)]. Three groups (C1, C3 and C4) included students from better social conditions and a more urbanized environments. The prevalence of OWOB was higher in C1 (34.5%; 95% CI 31.1-38.0) and in C2 (29.7%; 95% CI 26.1-33.5) compared to C5 (23.3% 95% CI 21.3-25.3). CONCLUSIONS: In one of the poorest regions of Brazil, different groups of social/environmental factors and behavior patterns emerged associated with OWOB.

Health self-perception and its association with physical activity and nutritional status in adolescents / Autopercepção de saúde e sua associação com atividade física e estado nutricional em adolescentes

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the association between total physical activities, physical activity in free time and nutritional status with self-perceived health in adolescents of both genders. Methods: This is a quantitative study that integrates the school-based, cross-sectional epidemiological survey with statewide coverage, whose sample consisted of 6261 adolescents (14 -19 years old) selected by random conglomerate sampling. Data were collected using the Global School-based Student Health Survey. The chi-squared test (χ 2) and the Poisson regression model with robust variance were used in the data analyses. Results: It was observed that 27.3% of the adolescents had a negative health self-perception, which was higher among girls (33.0% vs. 19.0%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, it was observed that boys who did not practice physical activity during free time (PR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.15 -1.81) and were classified as insufficiently active (PR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.04 -1.56), as well as girls who did not practice physical activity during free time (PR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.02 -1.29) and were classified as overweight (PR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.01 -1.29) had a greater chance of negative health self-perception. Conclusion: Behavioral issues may have different effects on health self-perception when comparing boys with girls. Negative health self-perception was associated with nutritional status in girls and a lower level of physical activity in boys, and the practice of physical activity in the free time was considered a protective factor against a negative health self-perception for adolescents of both genders.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre atividade física total, atividade física no tempo livre e estado nutricional com a autopercepção de saúde em adolescentes de ambos os sexos. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo com abordagem quantitativa, que integra o levantamento epidemiológico transversal de base escolar e abrangência estadual, cuja amostra foi constituída por 6.261 adolescentes (14 a 19 anos) selecionados por meio de uma estratégia de amostragem aleatória de conglomerados. Os dados foram coletados a partir do questionário Global School-based Student Health Survey. O teste de qui-quadrado (χ2) e o modelo de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta foram usados nas análises dos dados. Resultados: Observou-se que 27,3% dos adolescentes tinham uma autopercepção de saúde negativa, maior entre as meninas (33,0% vs. 19,0%; p < 0,001). Após o ajuste pelos potenciais fatores de confusão, constatou-se que tinham maior chance de ter uma autopercepção de saúde negativa os meninos que não praticavam atividade física no tempo livre (RP = 1,44; IC 95%: 1,15-1,81) e que eram classificados como insuficientemente ativos (RP = 1,27; IC 95%: 1,04-1,56) e as meninas que não praticavam atividade física no tempo livre (RP = 1,15; IC 95%: 1,02-1,29) e que eram classificadas como sobrepesadas (RP = 1,27; IC 95%: 1,01-1,29). Conclusão: Questões comportamentais podem ter diferentes repercussões na autopercepção de saúde quando comparados os meninos e meninas. A autopercepção de saúde negativa esteve associada ao estado nutricional entre as meninas e a um menor nível de atividade física entre os meninos e a prática de atividade física no tempo livre foi tida como fator de proteção para uma autopercepção de saúde negativa para os adolescentes de ambos os sexos.

Health self-perception and its association with physical activity and nutritional status in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between total physical activities, physical activity in free time and nutritional status with self-perceived health in adolescents of both genders. METHODS: This is a quantitative study that integrates the school-based, cross-sectional epidemiological survey with statewide coverage, whose sample consisted of 6261 adolescents (14-19 years old) selected by random conglomerate sampling. Data were collected using the Global School-based Student Health Survey. The chi-squared test (χ2) and the Poisson regression model with robust variance were used in the data analyses. RESULTS: It was observed that 27.3% of the adolescents had a negative health self-perception, which was higher among girls (33.0% vs. 19.0%, p<0.001). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, it was observed that boys who did not practice physical activity during free time (PR=1.44, 95% CI: 1.15-1.81) and were classified as insufficiently active (PR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.04-1.56), as well as girls who did not practice physical activity during free time (PR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.02-1.29) and were classified as overweight (PR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.01-1.29) had a greater chance of negative health self-perception. CONCLUSION: Behavioral issues may have different effects on health self-perception when comparing boys with girls. Negative health self-perception was associated with nutritional status in girls and a lower level of physical activity in boys, and the practice of physical activity in the free time was considered a protective factor against a negative health self-perception for adolescents of both genders.

Association between physical activity and walking capacity with cognitive function in peripheral artery disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the association between objectively measured physical activity and walking capacity with cognitive function in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease. METHODS: This was an observational, cross sectional study. One hundred and thirty patients (age 67 ± 8 years) were recruited at a tertiary centre specializing in vascular disease. Cognitive function (global, memory, executive function and attention) was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool. Physical activity levels (total, light, and moderate-vigorous) were obtained using an accelerometer. A 6 min and 4 m walk test were undertaken to assess walking capacity. Crude and covariate adjusted, linear regression analyses confirmed significant associations between physical activity levels and walking capacity with cognitive function. RESULTS: Positive and significant associations were observed between moderate to vigorous physical activity (p = .039) and walking capacity (p = .030) with memory after adjusting for covariates. No significant association was identified between light physical activity and usual gait speed with any cognitive function outcome. CONCLUSION: Greater memory performance was associated with greater moderate to vigorous physical activity levels and walking capacity in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease. Clinical interventions focused on improving moderate to vigorous physical activity levels and walking capacity may provide important therapies to potentially enhance cognitive health in patients with peripheral artery disease.

Association of time spent in physical activities and sedentary behaviors with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Increased arterial stiffness is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Studies have reported conflicting results regarding the relationship between arterial stiffness and time spent in sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA). The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the relationship between objectively measured light PA (LPA), moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), and SB with the gold standard measurement of arterial stiffness, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies published until November 2016. Studies reporting the correlation of objectively measured PA and SB with cfPWV in human adults >18 years old were included in this analysis. Correlation coefficients (CCs) were converted to Z scores via Fisher's z values for the analysis of summary effects, using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included in the systematic review. The meta-analysis showed a negative correlation between cfPWV and LPA (CC -0.16; 95% CI: -0.29 to -0.03; p=0.02) and MVPA (CC -0.16; 95% CI: -0.26 to -0.06; p<0.01), and a positive relationship between cfPWV and SB (CC 0.23; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.35; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Time spent in light and moderate physical activities is associated with lower arterial stiffness, while time spent in SB is related to higher arterial stiffness. It suggests that PA at any intensity is favorable for arterial stiffness, whereas SB leads to increased arterial stiffness. Considering that cfPWV has an independent prognostic value, these associations may have important clinical implications.

Clustering of risk factors for chronic diseases among adolescents from Southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clustering of risk behaviors for chronic non-communicable diseases and their associated factors among adolescents from Southern Brazil. METHODS: In 2008, a survey was conducted with 3990 adolescents aged 14-15 years (mean: 14.3; SD: 0.6) from the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study. Clustering was determined by comparing observed (O) and expected (E) prevalence of all possible combinations of the four risk factors investigated (smoking, alcohol intake, low fruit intake, and physical inactivity). We carried out Poisson regression to evaluate the effect of individual characteristics on the presence of at least three risk behaviors. RESULTS: All risk factors tended to cluster together (O/E prevalence=3.0), especially smoking and alcohol intake (odds ratio to present on behavior in the presence of other >5.0). Approximately 15% of adolescents displayed three or more risk behaviors. Females (adjusted OR=1.55), people 15 years and older (OR=1.47), with black skin color (OR=1.23), and of low socioeconomic level (OR=1.29) were more likely to display three or more risk factors. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that lifestyle-related risk factors tend to cluster among adolescents. Identifying subgroups at greater risk of simultaneously engaging in multiple risk behaviors may aid in the planning of preventive strategies.

Enrollment in physical education is associated with health-related behavior among high school students.

BACKGROUND: Physical education (PE) plays a critical role in the healthy development of youth; however, the influence of PE classes in helping to provide students with health-related behavior patterns is not clear. This study aims to analyze whether participation in PE classes is associated with health-related behavior among high school students. METHODS: A total of 4210 students attending public high schools in Pernambuco (northeast of Brazil) were selected using random 2-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected by using the Global School-based Student Health Survey. The independent variable was the frequency of participation in PE classes, whereas physical activity, television viewing, smoking, and alcohol, fruit, vegetables and soda consumption were dependent variables. Logistic regressions were carried out to perform crude and adjusted analysis of the association between enrollment in PE classes and health-related behaviors. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of students do not take part in PE classes, with a significantly higher proportion among females (67.8%). It was observed that enrollment in PE classes was positively associated with physical activity, TV viewing, and fruit consumption, but was negatively associated with soda drinking. The likelihood of reporting being active and eating fruit on a daily basis was 27% and 45% higher, respectively, among those who participate in at least 2 classes per week in comparison with those who do not. Students who participate in PE classes had 28-30% higher likelihood of reporting lower TV viewing during week days. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that higher levels of enrollment in PE classes could play a role in the promotion of health-related behaviors among high school students.

Avaliação quali-quantitativa do Programa Academia da Cidade, Recife (PE): concepções dos professores / Quali-quantitative evaluation of the 'Academia da Cidade' program from Recife, Brazil: perceptions of the professionals working in the program

O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar e analisar a visão que os professores que atuam no Programa Academia da Cidade (PAC) em Recife, PE constroem a respeito do impacto/relevância, das dificuldades e do envolvimento da comunidade em relação à proposta. O PAC é um programa público vinculado à Secretaria de Saúde do município. Foram elaborados e aplicados questionários e entrevistas com os profissionais que trabalhavam em quatro pólos do PAC. A amostra foi composta da seguinte forma: foram aplicados questionários com 12 profissionais (abordagem quantitativa) e desses, sete responderam às entrevistas aprofundadas (abordagem qualitativa). Os dados quantitativos confirmam que o programa estimula os usuários à prática da atividade física e atua sobre a saúde da população, mas tem dificuldades com estrutura física, recursos humanos e divulgação. Os dados qualitativos mostram dificuldades com a segurança dos locais onde estão localizados os pólos e a necessidade de aquisição e manutenção dos equipamentos para o desenvolvimento das atividades e de formação/atualização dos profissionais. No que se refere ao envolvimento comunitário, os professores relatam significativa participação da comunidade nas festividades/passeios e envolvimento com sugestões para as atividades físicas, mas relatam baixo envolvimento das pessoas com atividades ?extra pólo?. Em resumo, a satisfação dos professores do PAC com sua atividade profissional é elevada e os mesmos consideram que o PAC tem impactos positivos sobre a saúde da população.

The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the perceptions of the professionals working in the Academia da Cidade (PAC) program, in Recife (PE) about the program, regarding its impact/relevance, strengths and difficulties and community participation. PAC is a public funded intervention, coordinated by the Municipal Secretariat of Health in Recife, Brazil. Questionnaires were administered and interviews were performed with professionals working in four units of PAC. The sample included 12 professionals who answered questionnaires (quantitative approach), of whom seven also answered to the in-depth interviews (qualitative approach). The quantitative findings confirm that the program stimulates users to practice physical activity, and to improve health, but has problems related to infra-structure, staff and divulgation. The qualitative data show difficulties related to safety in the areas covered by PAC, the need of buying new equipment and maintaining existing ones, and the need of capacity building. In terms of community involvement, we observed high participation in events, and high volume of suggestions of physical activities, but the importance of involvement in activities performed outside the units is not emphasized. In summary, professionals working in PAC are satisfied with their job, and think that PAC has a positive impact on population health.