Meta‐evaluation of studies on community physical activity programs in Brazil

Abstract

Background: The use of the meta-evaluation, especially in health promotion programs, is still scarce. Aim: To verify if the evaluation studies conducted about the Academia da Cidade Programme and the Academia da Saúde Programme comply with the principles and standards of the meta-evaluation. Methods: This meta-evaluation study was conducted using articles from scientific databases. The parameters of utility, propriety, and accuracy, as defined by the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation, and specificity, were applied. The classification of the studies was based on the Stufflebeam's checklist.Results: Of the 18 selected articles, the principle of utility was fully met in 50%, given that 27.8% were classified as very good, 5.6% as good, and 16.7% as fair. The principle of propriety mostly received the result of very good (44.4%), followed by excellent (38.9%), good (11.15), and weak (5.6%). The principle of accuracy was classified as excellent in 44.4% of the studies, considering that in 33.3% it was considered very good; 11.1% good, and 11.1% fair. Specificity was classified as very good in 94.4% of the studies. Conclusion:The physical activity community programs evaluations were carried out in accordance to the principles and standards of meta-evaluation tenets. Most studies were classified as excellent regarding the principle of utility and accuracy, or very good as for the principle of propriety and specificity.

Time trends of physical activity for leisure and transportation in the Brazilian adult population: results from Vigitel, 2010-2019

“…In this study, the prevalence of physical activity for leisure was higher in white adults solely in the years 2010-2011, showing no difference in the years from 2012 to 2019. A possible explanation for the lack of difference observed since 2012 is the implementation of the Health Academy Program in Brazil, by the Ministry of Health, in 2011 39 . Preliminary results from one center of the Health Academy Program in Belo Horizonte showed that most participants of this program were non-white individuals (56.4%) 40 .…”

“…The main objective of the Health Academy Program is to promote health for all the population by implementing gym centers throughout Brazil, with infrastructure, equipment, and professional staff 41 . This program includes physical activity classes in rehabilitated public open spaces in lowincome neighborhoods, health screening and counseling, and many other community-building activities in place-based settings (parks and plazas) 39 . A prior study investigated the impact of the Health Academy Program in 80 cities in the Pernambuco state, assessing 2,370 individuals in 2011, 3,824 individuals in 2012, and 3,835 individuals in 2013.…”

“…The authors reported that the odds of reaching 150 minutes/week of physical activity for leisure was 5.06 (95%CI: 3.34; 7.67) for current participants (≤ 6 months) and 10.35 (95%CI: 6.93; 15.47) for current participants (> 6 months) compared with individuals that never participated 42 . A recent scoping review, including 24 studies published between 2008 and 2020, concluded that the Health Academy Program increases the amount of physical activity for leisure 39 . These findings are in line with our results, which showed an increase in the prevalence of physical activity for leisure from 2010 to 2015 in the Brazilian adult population, irrespective of sex, schooling, and race/skin color.…”