An analysis of a community-based intervention on physical activity

Background. As part of a city-wide obesity prevention program, San Antonio\u27s first Síclovía was held on a Sunday March 2, 2011. The event was modeled on the successful community-based physical activity (PA) intervention called Ciclovia. Ciclovias are community events to promote physical activity through creating access to safe, public recreation space. This thesis aimed to evaluate San Antonio\u27s first Síclovía based on surveyed participants\u27 four short-term outcomes of social participation, enjoyment, and engaging in new types of PA and at least 50 minutes of PA at the event (33% of recommended weekly PA). Methods. Through an intercept survey data collection method, a convenience sample of adults aged 18 years and older (n=194) was recruited. This secondary data from the UTSPH was analyzed using descriptive statistics, a logistic regression model, and a chi-square test. Results. The majority of survey respondents were 30–64 years of age (76%), 56% female, and 60% Hispanic and 29% Non-Hispanic White. A higher percentage were more physically active reporting at least 150 minutes PA per week (63%), however the event also reached less active adults (37%). The percentage of respondents who achieved short-term outcomes was high for social participation (90%), enjoyment (100%), and 63% achieved at least 33% of weekly PA. One third tried a new type of PA at Síclovía. Result patterns were empirical, however no statistically significant associations were found. Conclusions. Preliminary evaluation findings suggested Síclovía could be an effective strategy to promote physical activity behaviors and positive norms in an increasingly inactive community facing a high prevalence of overweight and obesity. The evaluation of San Antonio\u27s first-ever Síclovía event, and the first evaluation of a Ciclovía-type event in Texas, is an important step to understanding how well the program engages this community.