Table 1 Topics at the meetings of the health education group for promoting physical activity

 1 ^st month

1- What is physical activity?

To present the multiprofessional team and discuss the concept of physical activity.

2- Physical activity: how much, when and how to do it?

To present different possibilities for practicing physical activity, according to the type, quantity and time of practice.

3- Overcoming barriers to physical activity practice

To discuss the barriers presented by participants and possible strategies for overcoming them.

4- Coping with stress

To conceptualize and present strategies for preventing and coping with stress.

 2 ^nd month

5- Physical activity practices

To practice walking and visit public spaces for leisure time in the district.

6- Strategies for a more active day-to-day routine

To present situations and proposals for including habits those are more active in the participants’ routine.

 3 ^rd month

7- Surveying dietary needs

To find out about the participants’ dietary experiences and demystify the concept of “diet”.

 4 ^th month

8- Aerobic physical activities and cardiorespiratory capacity

To present the concept of aerobic exercises and discuss the recommendations.

 5 ^th month

9- Consumption of fruits, vegetables, sugar and salt

To present the healthy diet concept proposed by the Dietary Guide for the Brazilian Population, discuss the fruits and vegetables groups and salt and sugar intake.

 6 ^th month

10- Physical activities for strength and flexibility

To present the concept of strength and flexibility exercises and discuss the recommendations.

 7 ^th month

11- A healthier day-to-day routine: how to achieve it

To discuss how to adopt healthy practices other than exercise (improved sleep, greater social interaction with family and friends, stimulation of reading and time organization).

 8 ^th month

12- Fat, sugar and salt intake and alternative flavorings

To discuss the role of salt and sugar in food flavors; to present herbs and spices as alternative flavorings.

 9 ^th month

13- Drawing up a physical exercise session

To conceptualize the following elements of a session: warm-up, peak time and return to calm, through a practical exercise session.

 10 ^th month

14- Choosing foods from reading the labels

To practice reading food labels, understand the most important information and seek means for adopting a healthy diet.

 11 ^th month

15- Physical activity and nutrition: how to maintain the program

To review the concepts broached and provide strategies for the participants to start or maintain the habits acquired.

 12 ^th month

16- Review meeting and conclusion of meetings

To discuss the greatest difficulties and the targets achieved over the period and emphasize the autonomy attained during the intervention period.