title: Youth knowledge of physical activity health benefits: a Brazilian case study.
abstract: This study presents the findings of a questionnaire-based investigation of knowledge about the relationship of physical activity to health among adolescent participants of a community-based physical activity intervention program in São Paulo, Brazil. Qualitative (inductive content analysis) and quantitative methods were applied to examine the participants' responses to two open-ended questions concerning the health benefits of physical activity and the educational goals of the intervention. More than 75% of all participants stated that health benefits (of some type) are attained through participation in physical activity. More than 50% of participants reported that the goal of the intervention was to educate people about the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle. Adolescents understand the relationship of physical activity to health as reflected in their knowledge assessments; their lifestyle choices support these beliefs. These findings offer encouragement for the development and implementation of educationally oriented interventions aimed at providing physical activity information and programming.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Public Research Institute, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA. susangz@sfsu.edu
authors.forename: Susan Gail
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Zieff
authors.forename: Claudia Maria
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Guedes
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*