Abstract
We examined the viability and efficacy of a known quantity of exercise in facilitating weight loss among previously sedentary or irregularly active overweight and obese adult women residing in a slum (favela) in Brazil. In this randomized controlled trial, 156 women were randomized to a control or intervention group (78 in each group). Exercise was supervised, consisting of three 50-minute aerobic sessions each week for 6 months. Ninety-one percent (71) of the participants in the intervention group completed 6 months of the exercise program. At 6 months, women in the treatment group showed significant reduction in weight (mean=-1.69 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI]=-2.36,-1.03) and body mass index (mean=-0.63 kg/m^sup 2^; 95% CI=-0.97, -0.30) compared with controls (P for both<.001). A moderately intense, structured exercise program resulted in modest weight loss in women when sustained for 6 months.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 76-80 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | American Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 99 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2009 |
Keywords
- adult
- body mass index
- Brazil
- confidence intervals
- exercise therapy (major)
- female
- health surveys
- humans
- middle aged
- motor activity (major)
- overweight
- prevention & control (major)
- questionnaires
- time factors
- weight Loss (major)
- slums
- Favela
