Abstract
The scope of this study was to evaluate the anthropometric and metabolic changes after low intensity home-based exercise. In the school year of 2007, 95 school cooks in the city of Niteroi (State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: home-based exercise (n = 47) or control group (n = 48). The home-based exercise program was performed three times a week, during 40 minutes at moderate intensity. Anthropometric variables were collected at the baseline and after 4 and 8 months, whereas biochemical and individual food intake were measured at the baseline and after 8 months. Energy expenditure was evaluated only at the baseline. The home-based exercise group exhibited a greater weight loss (-0.9 vs. -0.2; p = 0.05) in comparison with controls during the follow-up and the same pattern was found for BMI (-0.1 vs. +0.1; p = 0.07), although without statistical significance. Exercise showed no effects on waist circumference, lipid profile and glucose. In conclusion, greater weight loss was observed in the group that performed low intensity home-based exercise and this strategy can assist in body weight control even without alterations in terms of lipids and glucose.
Highlights
Obesity is one of the most serious public health problems in the world, and it is recognized as an important risk factor for many chronic conditions[1,2]
Greater weight loss was observed in the group that performed low intensity home-based exercise and this strategy can assist in body weight control even without alterations in terms of lipids and glucose
Individuals who are engaged in physically strenuous jobs are significantly less likely to engage in physical activity during their leisure time, decreasing their total daily energy expenditure and contributing to a positive energy balance
Summary
Obesity is one of the most serious public health problems in the world, and it is recognized as an important risk factor for many chronic conditions[1,2]. Individuals who are engaged in physically strenuous jobs are significantly less likely to engage in physical activity during their leisure time, decreasing their total daily energy expenditure and contributing to a positive energy balance. They are more prone to gain weight over time[7,8]. School cooks are an important occupational group in Brazil because they are directly responsible to prepare and serve all meals offered at schools and because they can have an influence in the schools’ health eating process, being a reference for students in their behaviors related to food consumption[9]
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