Brazil Achieves Success With Free Exercise Program

by Ryan Halvorson

Making News:

Imagine a world where good fitness and nutrition programs are available to everyone. Sound far-fetched? Perhaps not, state researchers from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. According to a report published in the January issue of the American Journal of Public Health (2009; 99 [1], 8), residents of the Brazilian town Recife are experiencing vast improvements in health and fitness thanks to a citywide initiative. Since its inception in 2002 the Academia de Cidade program has taught 888,000 fitness classes, enrolling more than 10,000 residents per year. Participants have access to free calisthenic and dance classes, walking groups and nutrition education at 21 public spaces from 5:00 to 9:00 am and 5:00 to 9:00 pm.

According to the Washington University researchers, such a program may be viable on U.S. shores. “We’ve seen that providing free, accessible exercise and nutrition programs in an urban setting can benefit thousands of people,” states researcher Ross C. Brownson, PhD, in a press release. “We could take related steps to increase exercise and improve Americans’ overall health.”