PHYSICAL EXERCISE PROGRAM FOR HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS ATTENDED BY PRIMARY HEALTH CARE: ANTHROPOMETRIC VARIABLES AND HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURE

ABSTRACT Little is known about the possible impact of the implementation of regular physical exercise programs on body adiposity and health expenditures of patients attended in Basic Health Units, so the objective of the study was to implement and verify the effect of a physical exercise program with a duration of 12 months, on obesity and the public health expenditure of these patients. The sample was composed of 25 adults, aged ≥50 years, hypertensive and insufficiently active. Prior to beginning the training, at six months, and at the end of training, body composition, blood pressure, and health expenditure analysis were performed. The training was carried out three times a week with a 60-minute duration. For the intervention factor there was a statistically significant difference between the groups only for the waist circumference variable (p-value = 0.019). For body fat values, the intervention group presented reductions throughout the follow-up, which were significant when compared to the control group. Consultation expenditures decreased over time in both groups (p = 0.026). The physical exercise program facilitated a reduction in the percentage of body fat of the patients, but health expenditures were not affected.