A 6-month exercise intervention among inactive and overweight favela-residing women in Brazil: the Cranguejo exercise trial

Alves, J.G., Gale, C.R., Mutrie, N., Correla, J.B. and Batty, G.D. (2009) A 6-month exercise intervention among inactive and overweight favela-residing women in Brazil: the Cranguejo exercise trial. American Journal of Public Health, 99 (1), 76-80. (doi:10.2105/AJPH.2007.124495).

Abstract

Objectives. 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.
Methods. 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.
Results. 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/m2; 95% CI = –0.97, –0.30) compared with controls (P for both < .001).
Conclusions. A moderately intense, structured exercise program resulted in modest weight loss in women when sustained for 6 months.

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Contributors

Author: C.R. Gale

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