Promoting physical activity and quality of life in Vitoria, Brazil: evaluation of the Exercise Orientation Service (EOS) program

• Published in: Journal of physical activity & health 2014-01, Vol.11 (1), p.38-44
• Main Authors: Reis, Rodrigo S, Hino, Adriano Akira F, Cruz, Danielle K, da Silva Filho, Lourival Espiridião, Malta, Deborah C, Domingues, Marlos R, Hallal, Pedro C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Awareness; Body Mass Index; Brazil - epidemiology; Chronic Disease - epidemiology; Chronic Disease - prevention & control; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Promotion - methods; Health Promotion - utilization; Humans; Leisure Activities - psychology; Linear Models; Male; Middle Aged; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Physical fitness; Poisson Distribution; Program Evaluation; Quality of Life; Sex Factors; Social Participation; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Walking - physiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1543-3080; 1543-5474
• DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2012-0027

The purpose of this study was to evaluate associations between exposure to the Exercise Orientation Service (EOS) program and physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QoL) in adults from Vitoria, Brazil. A phone survey was conducted with 2023 randomly selected participants (≥ 18 years) to measure awareness about the program, participation in the program, PA levels, and QoL. The associations were tested using Poisson and Linear regression models. 31.5% reported awareness about the program, 1.5% reported current participation, and 5.8% reported previous participation. Participation was higher among women (2.1%), older subjects (2.8%), and those reporting morbidities (2.4%). Awareness was higher among middle-aged persons (36.0%) and highly educated participants (37.1%). Current participation (PR = 2.22; 95% CI = 1.65-2.99) and awareness (PR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.02-1.30) were associated with leisure-time PA (LTPA). Exposure to the program was not associated with QoL but was consistently associated with sufficient levels of LTPA among adults from Vitoria, Brazil.