Integrating Physical Activity and Family Health Education into Pediatric Oncology Outpatient Care: ATIVAONCO Project

ATIVAONCO is a university extension project designed to integrate adapted physical activity and family health education into routine pediatric oncology outpatient care in a public hospital in southern Brazil. This descriptive experience report summarizes the program's implementation from 2023 onward. Activities are offered twice weekly during a two-hour outpatient window and are delivered by exercise professionals and supervised trainees. Each session combines a brief health-education component for parents and caregivers, playful and adaptable movement activities for children and adolescents, and a closing discussion circle. Program monitoring uses team observations, participant and caregiver feedback, and session records to support iterative adaptation. Over the years, more than 300 children and adolescents participated in the project, with a mean age of 7.53 ± 3.30 years; 53.2% were male and 46.8% were female. Recurring observations included engagement with movement activities, social interaction, and use of the waiting area as a more active and welcoming space. ATIVAONCO project demonstrates the practical feasibility of embedding physical activity promotion and family-centered education into outpatient pediatric oncology care. Future evaluations should measure educational outcomes, physical activity exposure, patient-reported outcomes, and safety using standardized prospective methods.