1,993 publications from this institution
Sedentary behaviors are associated with multiple health problems, independently of physical activity. Neighborhood environment attributes might influence sedentary behaviors, but few studies have investigated these relationships. Moreover, all previous studies have been conducted within single countries, limiting environmental variability. We investigated the shape of associations between perceived neighborhood environment attributes and sedentary behavior in three countries; and whether these associations differed by country and gender. Data from USA (Seattle and Baltimore regions), Australia (Adelaide) and Belgium (Ghent) were pooled. Data collection took place between 2002 and 2008. In total, 6014 adults (20–65 years, 55.7% women) were recruited in high-/low-walkability and high-/low-income neighborhoods. All participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (domain-specific physical activity, transport-related sitting and overall time spent sitting) and the Neighborhood Environmental Walkability Scale (environmental perceptions). The number of destinations within a 20 min walk from home, perceiving few cul-de-sacs, good walking and cycling facilities, and traffic safety were included in an index of motorized transport correlates. This index was linearly negatively associated with motorized transport time, so the higher the scores on the index (more activity-friendliness), the lower the amount of motorized transport. No gender- or country-differences were identified. Perceived aesthetics and proximity of destinations were included in an index of overall sitting time correlates. A linear negative relationship with overall sitting time was found, but associations were stronger for men and not significant in Belgian adults. In conclusion, consistent and expected correlates were found for motorized transport in the three countries, but results were less clear for overall sitting time. Future studies should include even more countries to maximize environmental variability, but present findings suggest that neighborhoods may be designed to improve health through supporting more active and less sedentary transportation, which can be expected to have health benefits.
To examine associations of neighborhood walkability and recreation environment variables with physical activity in adolescents.The cross-sectional study was conducted with 98 white or Mexican-American adolescents (mean age = 16.2 years). Physical activity was measured with 7 days of accelerometer monitoring. Height and weight were measured to compute body mass index (BMI). Environmental measures were created using geographic information systems. A neighborhood walkability index was based on land use mix, retail density, street connectivity, and residential density. Proximity to public and private recreation facilities was assessed.In a linear regression, the walkability index within 0.5 mile of homes was related to minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, explaining approximately 4% of variance. Recreation variables were not related to physical activity, and BMI was not explained by environmental variables.Neighborhood walkability was related to adolescents'physical activity, similar to findings for adults.
Measures of psychosocial constructs are required to assess dietary interventions. This study evaluated brief psychosocial scales related to 4 dietary behaviors (consumption of fat, fiber/whole grains, fruits, and vegetables).Two studies were conducted. Study 1 assessed two-week reliability of the psychosocial measures with a sample of 49 college students. Study 2 assessed convergent and discriminant validity of the psychosocial measures with dietary nutrient estimates from a Food Frequency Questionnaire on 441 men and 401 women enrolled in an Internet-based weight loss intervention study.Study 1 test-retest reliability ICCs were strong and ranged from .63 to .79. In study 2, dietary fat cons, fiber/whole grain cons and self-efficacy, fruit and vegetable cons and self-efficacy, and healthy eating social support, environmental factors, enjoyment, and change strategies demonstrated adequate correlations with the corresponding dietary nutrient estimates.Brief psychosocial measures related to dietary behaviors demonstrated adequate reliability and in most cases validity. The strongest and most consistent scales related to dietary behaviors were healthy eating change strategies and enjoyment. Consistent convergent validity was also found for the cons of change scales. These measures can be used in intervention studies to evaluate psychosocial mediators of dietary change in overweight and obese individuals.
Four procedural formats of CS were tested in a multiple baseline design with six persons wanting to quit smoking. Format one employed the standard nausea aversion. Format two selected aveisive themes and varied trial duration according to electrodermal arousal criteria. Format three replicated the second one excepting that an actual cigarette was substituted for its imaginal representation. The fourth format replicated the third except that the five treatment sessions were presented on consecutive days instead of twice weekly. This last format was the most effective one resulting in an 80.5% smoking reduction compared to 12.5%, 28.5%, and 44.0% for formats one, two, and three, respectively. With minor exception, treatment effects for all subjects washed out by two months follow-up. Electrodermal arousal (but not EMG or EKG) and self-report anxiety jointly predicted smoking reduction, R = 40. Methodological limitations were pointed out which limit the power of the conclusions drawn. The advantages of utilizing physiological arousal indices and concentrated session scheduling were discussed. It was emphasized that procedural variations of CS merit further investigation to develop CS as a reliably effective technique.
Physical activity and dietary behaviors are often correlated in adults and adolescents. This association was examined in 351 Anglo- and Mexican-American children between the ages of 4 and 7 years. Behaviors were assessed by structured observations and interviews at home and school. Observed physical activity was significantly correlated with energy intake (r = .43), but was unrelated to the percentage of calories from total fat or saturated fat. Thus, interventions with young children to improve dietary behavior or physical activity should not be expected to automatically lead to changes in the other.
Increasing physical activity among youth represents a national health goal, and using volunteer activity providers at schools offers one possible solution. This paper describes results from a program to recruit volunteer physical activity providers in middle schools. Twenty-one volunteers provided 850 physical activity hours at seven schools, including 575 activity sessions and 7,186 student contacts. Volunteers who received incentives offered more minutes of activity, conducted more activity sessions, reached a greater number of students, and logged more student-minutes of physical activity than those who received none. Male volunteers provided more activity minutes than female volunteers, but females were marginally more successful in engaging female students. Results can help guide schools to more effectively increase student physical activity throughout the school day.
This 4-year study, conducted in seven elementary schools assigned to three conditions—Physical Education Specialists (PES), Trained Classroom Teachers (TT), and Controls (CO)—had two parts. The first investigated effects of a health-related physical education program on quantity and quality of lessons. Specialists produced the best outcomes, and TT were significantly better than nontrained peers. Part Two assessed maintenance effects approximately 1.5 years after intervention termination. Withdrawal of specialists significantly reduced the quantity and quality of physical education. TT maintained PES frequency but with a loss in lesson quality and a decline in student activity to 88% of intervention levels. Results support employing specialists and demonstrate the need for extensive professional development for classroom teachers responsible for physical education.
755 As the health benefits of physical activity and the high prevalence of sedentary lifestyles become more thoroughly documented, the need grows for interventions that effectively promote physical activity. Many intervention approaches have demonstrated some effects, but there is a continuing need to improve both interventions and our understanding of how they work. Physical activity interventions are based on a variety of theories of behavior change. These theories lead intervention designers to attempt to change selected psychological, social, and environmental factors that are believed to mediate the behavior change. In addition to evaluating the behavioral outcomes, it is also important to assess whether the intervention is changing the targeted mediators and whether the mediators explain the observed behavior change. These analyses can help refine both interventions and behavior change theories. This symposium features results from four major physical activity interventions for adults that are theoretically based and include measures of hypothesized mediators. Presenters will report the physical activity outcomes, as well as the extent to which mediators are related to physical activity changes. The four studies represent a variety of populations and intervention strategies.
