Participation and Physical Activity in Recreovia of Bucaramanga, Colombia

Active transportation is associated with lower obesity risk: generalized structural equations model applied to physical activity

This study aimed to identify latent (unobservable) dimensions representing specific physical activity-related behaviors and explore their potential effects on obesity burden and spatial distribution in Colombia. A cross-sectional study (n = 9,658) was conducted based on the Colombian National Survey of Nutritional Status. A generalized structural equations model was proposed, combining exposure and measurement models to define a disease model. Modeling identified latent dimensions of physical activity focused on screen time and means of transportation and estimated their direct and indirect effects on obesity occurrence. Mapping techniques were used to illustrate adherence to these dimensions. The latent dimensions identified were named "Screens use" and "Active transportation"; the latter was inversely associated with obesity occurrence (p = 0.004), with the use of bicycles being the dominant variable, contrasting with the use of motor vehicles. The mapping showed that departments with the highest adherence to the "Active transportation" construct have a lower prevalence of obesity. Bicycle use, as opposed to non-active transportation, represented a dimension of physical activity-related behaviors with a protective effect against obesity. This suggests that active transportation may be a crucial factor in the designing preventive interventions. Moreover, social inequalities may be contributing to the obesity epidemic and physical activity behaviors in Colombia, requiring equitable and multisectoral responses.

Effectiveness, barriers, and facilitators of overweight and obesity prevention strategies in Latin America; a scoping review and qualitative study in Colombia

Background

This project aimed to synthesize the quantitative/qualitative evidence on the effectiveness of overweight/obesity prevention strategies implemented in Colombia and their barriers and facilitators.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted by searching PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, and the grey literature (2012–2023). In-depth interviews were also conducted among key stakeholders on their perception of these strategies’ effectiveness, barriers, and facilitators.

Findings

26 records were included; four studies found positive changes in weight/body mass index, five found positive changes in physical activity, two found positive changes in food intake, and four found positive changes in healthy lifestyle knowledge, perception, attitudes, and habits. The main barrier reported was the obesogenic environment, and the facilitators were program flexibility and community engagement. Eighteen interviews were conducted (one interview per strategy); the main barriers reported were political, lack of evaluation access, economic situation, and lack of articulation; the main facilitators were incorporating the strategy into policies, articulation with stakeholders, and strong oversight.

Interpretation

Moderate evidence indicates that these strategies positively impact outcomes related to overweight/obesity in Colombia, but more long-term studies are needed for overweight/obesity reduction. Lack of (1) evaluation and resources (barriers), (2) incorporation into policies (facilitators), and (3) strong stakeholder coordination (facilitators) was identified.

Funding

Global Health Consortium , Department of Global Health , 10.13039/100007681 FIU .

What Is the Contribution of Community Programs to the Physical Activity of Women? A Study Based on Public Open Spaces in Brazil

Community programs can facilitate the access of vulnerable subgroups to physical activity (PA). This study analyzed the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, public open spaces (POS) usage, and women's PA. The 155 participants were assiduous in taking part in PA classes in POS in São José dos Pinhais, Brazil. The accelerometer-based PA measures identified four outcomes: (1) daily light-intensity PA (LPA), (2) daily moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA), (3) LPA in POS, and (4) MVPA in POS. Linear regression, and the Durbin-Watson and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for data analysis in STATA software. The main results showed that the weekly frequency (β: 10.9, p < 0.01) and intensity of the main activity in the POS (β: 22.4, p < 0.05) were related to daily MVPA. Economic level and length of stay in the POS were positively related to the LPA performed (p < 0.05). Weekly frequency (β: 2.4, p < 0.01), length of stay (β: 11.0, p < 0.01), and intensity of PA practiced in the POS (β: 5.9, p < 0.05) showed a positive relationship with MVPA in the POS. In conclusion, there was a positive relationship between some analyzed variables and PA of different intensities, especially the consistent relationship between weekly frequency of POS usage and MVPA. Participation in structured PA classes in a community program can contribute to an increase of 47 min of daily MVPA.

Use of an Elevated Avenue for Leisure-Time Physical Activity by Adults from Downtown São Paulo, Brazil

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with access and use of public open spaces. The President João Goulart Elevated Avenue, currently denominated Minhocão, is a facility for leisure activities that is open for people during the night and weekends. The aim of this study was to examine if the prevalence of LTPA among individuals living in the surroundings of Minhocão is different according to proximity to, and use of, the facility. We conducted a cross-sectional study with cluster sampling with people aged ≥18 years who lived in households up to 500 m, and between 501 m and 1500 m of Minhocão. The survey was conducted between December 2017 and March 2019 using an electronic questionnaire. We conducted a bivariate analysis and Poisson regression to examine possible differences in LTPA according to the proximity of residences and use of Minhocão. The analysis used post-stratification weights. A total of 12,030 telephone numbers of people were drawn (≤500 m = 6942; and >500 m to ≤1500 m = 5088). The final sample included 235 residents who returned the questionnaires. There was a higher prevalence of individuals engaging in at least 150 min per week of LTPA among users than non-users (Prevalence Ratio = 2.19, IC95% 1.66 to 2.90), independently of sex, age, education, the distance of houses to nearest accesses and number of barriers. The main five barriers related to the usage of the Minhocão were safety issues in and around the Minhocão, rainy weather, lack of vegetation, and lack of facilities. People who used the park had higher prevalence of all types of LTPA than non-users. The results can serve to inform government decision-making on the future of Minhocão.