Introduction: Overweight negatively impacts the cardiovascular system and osteomyoarticular, promoting pain in the joints of the lower limbs. Therefore, strategies have been applied to reduce overweight through lifestyle changes. Objective: to investigate the effects of two multidisciplinary intervention programs on the health-related physical fitness of obese women with pain symptoms in the knees. Methods: Women between 40 and 59 years of age with obesity (n=59) were evaluated in the pre- and post-intervention time regarding anthropometry, body composition, physical fitness, level of disability in the knee and hip, and health-related quality of life. A randomized clinical trial of parallel groups was conducted, using two resistance exercise programs and food re-education, for eight weeks. All participants received the same nutritional intervention content and for physical exercises were randomized into two groups, G1 being the "strength group" using machines (n=30), and G2 being the "functional training" group (n=29). Twenty-eight women (G1=18 + G2=10) were included in the final analyses. The groups and time were evaluated by two-way analysis of variance, with repeated measures. A p < 0.05 was assumed for all analyses. Results: a time effect was identified, with higher values for maximum isometric lumbar-traction strength (MILTS), after the intervention period in both groups (p < 0.05). However, for the other variables investigated, no significant differences were identified (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The absence of significant results for all variables, except FIMTL, may be justified by the moderate adherence of the participants to interventions (~59% to 66%) since the study was conducted during the period of social isolation (COVID-19). However, it is believed that the intervention models were positive in maintaining the variables studied.

It is a pleasure to start the year 2022 with the special edition of the first issue of our journal dedicated to "Lifestyle Medicine in Latin America". The growth of this new medical discipline at a global level, considered as the seventh era of public health, with a level of scientific evidence that positions it as one of the areas of greatest production and publications at an international level. Only in PubMed there are more than 60 thousand indexed articles.

Presentamos la experiencia del primer curso universitario internacional en “Medicina del Estilo de Vida” desarrollado utilizando el entorno virtual LMS y la plataforma Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, dentro del contexto de la pandemia. Se creó la Cátedra de Medicina del Estilo de vida en una Universidad Peruana, para desarrollar actividades educativas y de investigación universitaria en temas de la epidemia de enfermedades crónicas y se organizó este primer curso de 6 meses de duración. A pesar de las dificultades y limitaciones sociales, las presiones económicas y de tiempo disponible dentro de la pandemia, se alcanzó que 104 médicos y profesionales de la salud se registraran, representando a 12 países de Latinoamérica. Las herramientas virtuales han permitido desarrollar actividades educativas universitarias interactivas, dinámicas, trabajo en grupos con tutores y asesores, entregables y exámenes en línea, así como la participación de profesores invitados de Europa (European Lifestyle Medicine Organization) USA (American College of Lifestyle Medicine) y colaboraciones con la Universidad de Harvard y Yale. Expandir la educación universitaria a nivel internacional en tiempos de COVID-19 es viable y estratégico. Innovar con herramientas virtuales y nuevos conceptos en Medicina del Estilo de Vida contribuyó a generar redes de colaboración en educación e investigación. Palabras clave: Curso, Universidad, COVID-19, Herramientas tecnológicas.

The Closing Ceremony and Awarding of Diplomas of the First International Course of Specialization in Lifestyle Medicine: Lifestyle Medicine Fundamentals, with a Focus on Primary Health Care, organized by the Chair of Lifestyle Medicine of the Universidad Ricardo Palma in collaboration with the Latin American Lifestyle Medicine Association, was held with great satisfaction.