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Impact of a Real‐World Lifestyle Intervention in an Entire Latin American City with More Than 50,000 People
Author(s) -
Atalla Marcio,
Pinto Ana Jessica,
Mielke Gregore Iven,
Benatti Fabiana Braga,
Gualano Bruno
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.22575
Subject(s) - latin americans , medicine , intervention (counseling) , gerontology , environmental health , political science , nursing , law
Objective The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a real‐world citywide intervention on physical activity and eating habits in a Latin American city with more than 50,000 inhabitants. Methods This was a plausibility assessment of a real‐life intervention. A probabilistic sample ( n = 1,424) from Jaguariuna (Sao Paulo, Brazil) was assessed before and after a 7‐month intervention aimed at increasing physical activity levels and improving eating habits at a city level. Primary outcomes were physical activity, sedentary behavior, and eating habits assessed by a valid telephone inquiry. The secondary outcome was body weight. Results The proportion of individuals achieving the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables increased (18%; 95% CI: 2% to 36%; P = 0.031), whereas the number of individuals consuming soft drinks and exchanging main meals for snacks or junk food decreased (−35%; 95% CI: −45% to −22%; P < 0.001 and −16%; 95% CI: −29% to −1%; P = 0.037). The number of active individuals increased during leisure time (37%; 95% CI: 19% to 58%; P < 0.001), at work (17%; 95% CI: 4% to 32%; P = 0.009), and in the household (14%; 95% CI: 0% to 31%; P = 0.047). Body weight decreased among individuals with overweight or obesity. Conclusions This intervention promoted pronounced lifestyle changes (i.e., increased physical activity and healthier food choices) in the entire city, providing scientific‐based evidence on which to build effective public health policies in Latin America.