Biography
Dr. Tassitano is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research program, built on 15 years of experience in physical activity epidemiology research, focuses on reducing disparities among low-income populations in Brazil. Ongoing projects include a mixed-methods approach to identify, test, and implement feasible and sustainable solutions that promote physical activity opportunities in structured settings, such as childcare and schools. Dr. Tassitano is a founding member of the Brazilian Society of Physical Activity and Health (SBAFS) and a member of the South American Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Network (SAPASEN). He also serves as a senior editor at the Journal of Physical Activity and Health.
Additional Campus Affiliations
Assistant Professor, Kinesiology and Community Health
Recent Publications
Bezerra, J., Lima, R. A., Cantieri, F. P., Tassitano, R. M., Júnior, J. C. D. F., de Barros, M. V. G., & Soares, F. C. (2025). Temporal trend of sedentary behavior in adolescents: A 10-year analysis. Ciencia e Saude Coletiva, 30, Article e16342023. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-812320242911.16342023
Martins, J., Varela, A. R., Costa, J., Onofre, M., Dudley, D., Cristão, R., Pratt, M., Hallal, P. C., & Tassitano, R. (2025). Worldwide Policy, Surveillance, and Research on Physical Education and School-Based Physical Activity: The Global Observatory for Physical Education (GoPE!) Conceptual Framework and Research Protocol. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 22(4), 444-456. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2024-0170
Matias, T. S., de Oliveira Araujo, R. H., Tassitano, R. M., Ramírez-Vélez, R., Sadarangani, K. P., Ywgne, J., Gaia, J. W. P., de Jesus, G. M., & da Silva, D. R. P. (2025). Clustering of obesogenic behaviours amongst 140 052 South American adolescents: a harmonized meta-analysis of national health surveys. Journal of Public Health, 47(3), 654-667. Article fdae319. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdae319
Mota, JG., Tassitano, RM., Lemos, L., Okely, A., Coppens, E., dos Santos, ÉA., Mota, J., Lenoir, M., & de Lucena Martins, CM. (2025). Compliance With the 24-h Movement Behaviours Guidelines Among Brazilian Toddlers. Child: Care, Health and Development, 51(3), Article e70083. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.70083
Pinheiro, I. K. A. D. S., Sadarangani, K. P., Tassitano, R. M., Brazo-Sayavera, J., Ramírez-Vélez, R., Melo, J. C. D. N., Dos Santos, L., & da Silva, D. R. P. (2025). Capability to promote physical activity in South American countries: an ecological study. Revista Brasileira de Atividade Fisica e Saude, 30, Article e0377. https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.30e0377