João G. Alves ¹, Catharine R. Gale ², Nanette Mutrie ³, Jailson B. Correia ¹, G. David Batty ^4*

¹ Instituto Materno Infantil Prof. Fernando Figueira, Recife
² MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre, University of Southampton
³ Department of Sport, Culture and the Arts, Strathclyde University
⁴ University of Glasgow

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: david-b{at}msoc.mrc.gla.ac.uk.

	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.

Key Words: Exercise/Physical Activity, Obesity, Overweight, Underweight, Socioeconomic Factors