ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To analyze a pilot study on health promotion for maritime tugboat workers. METHODOLOGY: Ten tugboat workers from Rio Grande harbor located in Southern Brazil participated in a 22 week program, consisting of physical activity and regular nutritional counseling. Physical tests, blood biochemistry, VO2 max, and test on quality of life (WHOQOL Bref) were applied before and after the intervention. Paired Student t test, Wilcoxon test, and Pearson correlation were used. RESULTS: Decrease on weight (84.3 x 82.1 kg; p = 0.03), waist circumference (97.1 x 91.7 cm; p = 0.005) and hip circumference (103.5 x 100.7 cm; p = 0.005) was observed. Physical activity duration showed correlation with reduction of waist circumference (r = 0.636; p = 0.048) and waist-hip ratio (r = 0.683; p = 0.03). The number of workers with elevated triglycerides was reduced (7 vs. 3; p = 0.04). Life quality results did not alter. CONCLUSION: The health promotion intervention model showed positive results in important parameters for cardiovascular risk among tugboat workers under study.
health promotion; occupational health; life style; food habits; exercise
