www.activelivingresearch.org
fax 619-260-1510
San Diego, California 92103 tel 619-260-5534
3900 Fifth Avenue, Suite 310
San Diego State University
James F. Sallis, Ph.D., Director
alr@projects.sdsu.edu
Carmen L. Cutter, MPH, Deputy Director
ccutter@projects.sdsu.edu
Introduction to the Active Living Research Reference List 2010
The following pages are citations of studies of the relationships between the
environment, physical activity, and obesity published in 2010. We have organized the
publications into 8 categories to make them easier to review. The categories are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Built Environment – Child Physical Activity/Obesity,
Built Environment – Adult Physical Activity/Obesity,
Policy – Physical Activity/Obesity,
Social, Cultural & Family Environments – Child Physical Activity/Obesity,
Social, Cultural & Family Environments – Adult Physical Activity/Obesity,
Measurement,
Community Based Interventions – Physical Activity and Obesity,
Childhood Obesity & Miscellaneous
The searches were conducted using several databases and were designed to represent
the multiple disciplines in the active living research field. The number of citations
continues to grow, especially as there is an extraordinary amount of literature on built
environment and policy related to physical activity and obesity. Some citations do not
include a journal issue or page numbers; these are articles that are available online
ahead of print publication.
We have improved upon our search terms and hope that this list is inclusive. Please
send us relevant citations we have missed. Studies that focus on food environments will
be covered by the RWJF Healthy Eating Research program.
We will continue to publish yearly literature updates as the literature is expanding so
rapidly. Papers that specifically report environmental correlates of physical activity
behavior or obesity will be included in the online ALR literature database
(http://www.activelivingresearch.org/resourcesearch/literaturedatabase).
If you have questions or comments please contact Chad Spoon at
cspoon@projects.sdsu.edu.
We would like acknowledgement the hard work of Ding Ding (Melody) and the Active
Living Research staff for searching several databases and compiling the 2010 reference
list.
An Active Living program supported by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and administered by San Diego State
University.
Active Living Research Literature Summary 2010
Draft Published Feb. 2011
2010 Search Terms
Physical Activity/Obesity terms (titles only)
Transport* OR Commute OR Commuting OR
commuter* OR journey OR travel* OR walk
OR walking OR cycling OR bike OR bikers
OR biking OR bicycle OR bicycling OR active
living OR physically inactive* OR fitness OR
body mass index OR BMI OR automobile* OR
leisure OR television OR TV OR obese OR
obesity OR overweight sedentary OR exercise
OR exercising OR exerciser* OR physical
activity OR physically active OR play OR
playing OR obesogenic OR weight OR car OR
playing
Environment terms (title or abstract)
Environment* OR sprawl OR neighbourhood* OR
neighborhood* OR recreation* OR metropolitan OR
rural OR urban* OR pedestrian* OR sport
equipment OR play equipment OR exercise
equipment OR geograph* OR aesthet* OR
convenien*OR destination* OR trail OR trails OR
park OR parks OR path OR paths OR distance* OR
density OR access* OR planning OR location* OR
polic* OR facility OR facilities OR crime OR
architecture OR building* OR transit OR street* OR
stair* OR playground* OR smart growth OR
outdoor OR indoor OR connectivity OR new
urbanism OR healthy places OR greenway* OR railtrail OR home OR school OR schools OR land use
OR traffic OR road* OR safe OR safety OR route
OR routes OR workplace OR community OR
communities OR attractive* OR green space* OR
public space* OR open space* OR greenery OR
amenity OR amenities OR walkable OR walkability
OR residential OR residence OR sidewalks OR
availability
Databases used in the literature searches included Pub Med, ISI Web of Science, Leisure and
Recreation Journals and other non-indexed journals.
For more specific information please contact Chad Spoon at cspoon@projects.sdsu.edu.
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Journal Counts:
These may indicate journals more interested in built environment research where
you could send your manuscripts. Note that only journals with more than one
count were included.
American Journal of Health Promotion- 3
American Journal of Preventive Medicine- 7
American Journal of Public health -11
BMC Public Health- 8
Clinical Pediatrics -2
European Physical Education Review -2
Health and Place- 7
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity- 5
International Journal of Pediatric Obesity- 3
International Journal of Obesity -3
The Journal of Physical Activity and Health -33
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity-3
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice- 3
Journal of School Health- 5
Journal of Science & Medicine in Sports -2
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise- 2
Obesity -3
Obesity Reviews -3
Preventive Medicine- 7
Public Health Nutrition- 4
Research Quarterly For Exercise and Sport- 5
Social Science and Medicine- 2
Transportation Planning and Technology -2
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Built Environment and Youth Physical Activity/Obesity
Aarts, M. J., Wendel-Vos, W., van Oers, H. A. M., van de Goor, I. A. M., & Schuit,
A. J. (2010). Environmental Determinants of Outdoor Play in Children A LargeScale Cross-Sectional Study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 39(3),
212-219.
Background: Outdoor play is a cheap and natural way for children to be
physically active. Purpose: This study aims to identify physical as well as
social correlates of outdoor play in the home and neighborhood
environment among children of different age groups. Methods: Crosssectional data were derived from 6470 parents of children from 42 primary
schools in four Dutch cities by means of questionnaires (2007-2008).
Multivariate sequential Poisson GEE analyses were conducted (2010) to
quantify the correlation between physical and social home and
neighborhood characteristics and outdoor play among boys and girls aged
4-6 years, 7-9 years, and 10-12 years. Results: This study showed that
next to proximal (home) environmental characteristics such as parental
education (RR=0.93-0.97); the importance parents pay to outdoor play
(RR= 1.32-1.75); and the presence of electronic devices in the child's own
room (RR= 1.04-1.15), several neighborhood characteristics were
significantly associated with children's outdoor play. Neighborhood social
cohesion was related to outdoor play in five of six subgroups (RR= 1.011.02), whereas physical neighborhood characteristics (e.g., green
neighborhood type, presence of water, diversity of routes) were
associated with outdoor play in specific subgroups only. Conclusions:
Neighborhood social cohesion was related to outdoor play among children
of different age and gender, which makes it a promising point of action for
policy development. Policies aimed at improving physical neighborhood
characteristics in relation to outdoor play should take into account age and
gender of the target population. (Am J Prey Med 2010;39(3):212-219)
Adams, A., & Prince, R. (2010). Correlates of Physical Activity in Young
American Indian Children: Lessons Learned From the Wisconsin Nutrition and
Growth Study. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 16(5), 394400.
Background: Obesity is a serious and growing health problem in American
Indian (AI) children. Our study, the Wisconsin Nutrition and Growth Study,
aimed to understand the prevalence and contributing factors to pediatric
obesity in Wisconsin tribes and provide the foundation for intervention
design. Objective: This article focuses on associations among age,
gender, and 3 measures of weight status with proxy-reported physical
activity and TV/screen time in 3 to 8 year-old AI children. Design/Methods:
In a cross-sectional design, 581 AI children (49.1% female, aged 3-8
years) participated in health screenings that included height, weight, waist
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circumference, percent body fat, and a caregiver survey on demographics
and health, with questions on physical activity and TV/screen time.
Results: Forty-five percent of children were overweight or obese. Boys
were significantly more obese and had higher levels of body fat than girls.
There were no differences in weight category across age groups. Boys
participated in significantly more weekly sports than girls and sports
participation was somewhat higher in younger children. Body mass index
and waist circumference were not significantly correlated with TV/screen
time or with the 3 activity measures (sports participation, outdoor play
time, or physical education classes). Hours of outdoor play significantly
predicted child body fat percentage controlling for maternal body mass
index and child age and gender. Conclusions: Young AI children in
Wisconsin have high rates of overweight/obesity starting at a very early
age, and outdoor play may play a significant role in mediating body fat.
There is a need to develop obesity-prevention interventions at early ages.
Boone-Heinonen, J., Casanova, K., Richardson, A. S., & Gordon-Larsen, P.
(2010). Where can they play? Outdoor spaces and physical activity among
adolescents in US urbanized areas. Preventive Medicine, 51(3-4), 295-298.
Objective. To estimate behavior-specific effects of several objectively
measured outdoor spaces on different types of moderate to vigorous
physical activity (MVPA) in a large, diverse sample of U.S. adolescents.
Methods. Using data from Wave 1(1994-1995) of the National Longitudinal
Study of Adolescent Health (U.S., n = 10,359) and a linked geographic
information system, we calculated percent greenspace coverage and
distance to the nearest neighborhood and major parks. Using sexstratified multivariable logistic regression, we modeled reported
participation in wheel-based activities, active sports, exercise, and >= 5
MVPA bouts/week as a function of each outdoor space variable,
controlling for individual- and neighborhood-level sociodemographics.
Results. Availability of major or neighborhood parks was associated with
higher participation in active sports and, in females, wheel-based activity
and reporting >= 5 MVPA bouts/week [OR (95% CI): up to 1.71 (1.29,
2.27)]. Greater greenspace coverage was associated with reporting >= 5
MVPA bouts/week in males and females [OR (95% CI): up to 1.62 (1.10,
2.39) for 10.1 to 20% versus <= 10% greenspace] and exercise
participation in females [OR (95% CO: up to 1.73 (1.21, 2.49)].
Conclusions. Provision of outdoor spaces may promote different types of
physical activities, with potentially greater benefits in female adolescents,
who have particularly low physical activity levels.
Boone-Heinonen, J., Evenson, K. R., Song, Y., & Gordon-Larsen, P. (2010). Built
and socioeconomic environments: patterning and associations with physical
activity in US adolescents. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and
Physical Activity, 7.
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Background: Inter-relationships among built and socioeconomic
environmental characteristics may result in confounding of associations
between environment exposure measures and health behaviors or
outcomes, but traditional multivariate adjustment can be inappropriate due
to collinearity. Methods: We used principal factor analysis to describe
inter-relationships between a large set of Geographic Information Systemderived built and socioeconomic environment measures for adolescents in
the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Wave I, 1995-96, n
= 17,294). Using resulting factors in sex-stratified multivariate negative
binomial regression models, we tested for confounding of associations
between built and socioeconomic environment characteristics and
moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Finally, we used
knowledge gained from factor analysis to construct replicable
environmental measures that account for interrelationships and avoid
collinearity. Results: Using factor analysis, we identified three built
environment constructs [(1) homogenous landscape; 2) development
intensity with high pay facility count; 3) development intensity with high
public facility count] and two socioeconomic environment constructs [ 1)
advantageous economic environment, 2) disadvantageous social
environment]. In regression analysis, confounding of built environmentMVPA associations by socioeconomic environment factors was stronger
than among built environment factors. In fully adjusted models, MVPA was
negatively associated with the highest (versus lowest) quartile of
homogenous land cover in males [exp(coeff) (95% CI): 0.91 (0.86, 0.96)]
and intensity (pay facilities) [ exp(coeff) (95% CI): 0.92 (0.85, 0.99)] in
females. Single proxy measures (Simpson's diversity index, count of pay
facilities, count of public facilities, median household income, and crime
rate) representing each environmental construct replicated associations
with MVPA. Conclusions: Environmental characteristics are inter-related.
Both built and SES environments should be incorporated into analysis in
order to minimize confounding. Single environmental measures may be
useful proxies for environmental constructs in longitudinal analysis and
replication in external populations, but more research is needed to better
understand mechanisms of action, and ultimately identify policy-relevant
environmental determinants of physical activity.
Carson, V., Spence, J. C., Cutumisu, N., Boule, N., & Edwards, J. (2010).
Seasonal Variation in Physical Activity Among Preschool Children in a Northern
Canadian City. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 81(4), 392-399.
Little research has examined seasonal differences in physical activity (PA)
levels among children Proxy reports of PA were completed by 1,715
parents on their children in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Total PA (I PA)
minutes were calculated, and each participant was classified as active,
somewhat active, or inactive Logistic regression models were conducted
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to examine associations between PA status and seasons Significant
seasonal differences were observed for I PA, weekday PA, weekend PA,
and active play Children were significantly more likely to be physically
active in the summer and spring and somewhat physically active in the
summer and fall, relative to winter Children living in cold climates are less
likely to be physically active in the winter.
Crawford, D., Cleland, V., Timperio, A., Salmon, J., Andrianopoulos, N., Roberts,
R., et al. (2010). The longitudinal influence of home and neighbourhood
environments on children's body mass index and physical activity over 5 years:
the CLAN study. International Journal of Obesity, 34(7), 1177-1187.
Objective: To determine the independent contributions of family and
neighbourhood environments to changes in youth physical activity and
body mass index (BMI) z-score over 5 years. Methods: In 2001, 2004 and
2006, 301 children (10-12 years at baseline) had their height and weight
measured (BMI was converted to z-scores using Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention reference charts; see
http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts) and moderate-to-vigorous physical
activity (MVPA) assessed using accelerometers. In 2001, parents reported
on the home environment (social support, role modelling, rules and
restrictions, physical environment) and perceived neighbourhood
environment (local traffic, road safety, sporting venues, public transport),
and Geographic Information Systems were used to map features of the
neighbourhood environment (destinations, road connectivity, traffic
exposure). Generalized estimating equations were used to predict
average BMI z-score and MVPA over time from baseline home and
perceived and objective neighbourhood environment factors. Results:
Among boys, maternal education and heavy traffic were inversely
associated, and sibling physical activity, maternal role modelling of MVPA
and the presence of dead-end roads were positively associated with
MVPA. Having unmarried parents, maternal MVPA role modelling and
number of home sedentary items were positively associated with BMI zscore among boys. Among girls, having siblings, paternal MVPA role
modelling, physical activity rules and parental physical activity coparticipation were positively associated with MVPA. Having unmarried
parents and maternal sedentary behaviour role modelling were positively
associated, and number of sedentary behaviour rules and physical activity
items were inversely associated with BMI z-score among girls.
Conclusion: The home environment seems more important than the
neighbourhood environment in influencing children's physical activity and
BMI z-score over 5 years. Physical activity and weight gain programmes
among youth should focus on parental role modelling, rules around
sedentary and active pursuits, and parental support for physical activity.
Intervention studies to investigate these strategies are warranted.
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Dunton, G. F., Berrigan, D., Ballard-Barbash, R., Perna, F. M., Graubard, B. I., &
Atienza, A. A. (2010). Adolescents' Sports and Exercise Environments in a US
Time Use Survey. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 39(2), 122-129.
Background: Studies examining environmental influences on adolescent
physical activity largely measure the presence and availability of social
resources and built environment facilities. Unfortunately, this research
approach provides limited information about adolescents' social company
during exercise or the extent to which adolescents actually use physical
settings for physical activity. Purpose: The current study used data from
the nationally representative American Time Use Survey (2003-2006) to
describe demographic and temporal patterns in the social and physical
contexts of physical activity among adolescents. Methods: The sample
consisted of high school students (aged 15-18 years) reporting at least
one bout of sports or exercise (N=867). During the interview, participants
reported where (e.g., outdoors, home, work) and with whom (e.g., alone,
family, friends) each bout occurred. Sample-weighted multinomial logistic
regression analyses compared the proportion of bouts occurring in each
environment by age, gender, family income, season, weekend/weekday,
and time of day, controlling for race/ethnicity. Data were analyzed in 2009.
Results: Girls were more likely to exercise with family (22% vs 16%), and
less likely to exercise with friends/acquaintances/others (47% vs 52%) and
outdoors (18% vs 24%) than boys. Compared with those aged 15 years, a
larger proportion of exercise bouts among those aged 18 years occurred
alone (23% vs 18%); and a smaller proportion occurred at home (14% vs
20%), at someone else's house (5% vs 12%), and at school (14% vs 27%)
(p's<0.001). Conclusions: Information about the social and physical
contexts of adolescents' sports and exercise can help guide the selection
of future environmental targets for investigation and intervention. (Am J
Prey Med 2010;39(2):122-129)
Dzewaltowski, D. A., Geller, K. S., Rosenkranz, R. R., & Karteroliotis, K. (2010).
Children's self-efficacy and proxy efficacy for after-school physical activity.
Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 11(2), 100-106.
Abstract: Problem: This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a
scale measuring children''s self-efficacy and proxy efficacy for physical
activity at after-school programs and at home. Proxy efficacy was defined
as children''s confidence in their skills and abilities to get adults to act in
their interest to provide physical activity opportunities. Methods: Children
(grades 4 through 6) attending after-school programs completed a selfefficacy questionnaire relevant to their physical activity. Factorial validity
was assessed with an exploratory factor analysis (n = 107) and a
confirmatory factor analysis (n = 187). Next, criterion-related validity
was assessed using a mixed-model analysis of covariance with school as
a random effect and children level variables as fixed effects. Internal
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consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach''s alpha. Results:
The questionnaire assessed three separate constructs: self-efficacy to be
physically active (SEPA), proxy efficacy to influence parents to provide
physical activity opportunities (PEPA-P), and proxy efficacy to influence
after-school staff to provide physical activity opportunities (PEPA-S).
Males had greater SEPA than females. Children who perceived greater
physical activity opportunities during after-school time had greater SEPA,
PEPA-P, and PEPA-S than children attending schools with fewer physical
activity opportunities. Children attending schools with lower concentrations
of racial/ethnic diversity and higher socioeconomic status (SES) had
greater PEPA-P compared to children attending greater racial/ethnic
diversity and low-SES schools. Conclusions: Self-efficacy for physical
activity is a multicomponent construct and can be assessed in elementaryaged children using the reliable and valid instrument confirmed in the
current study.
Evenson, K. R., Murray, D. M., Birnbaum, A. S., & Cohen, D. A. (2010).
Examination of perceived neighborhood characteristics and transportation on
changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior: The Trial of Activity in
Adolescent Girls. Health & Place, 16(5), 977-985.
We examined the association between perceived neighborhood
characteristics and transport and 2-year changes in accelerometerdetermined nonschool MET-weighted moderate-to-vigorous physical
activity (MW-MVPA) and sedentary behavior of adolescent girls. Reporting
that children do not play outdoors in their neighborhood, that their
neighborhood was well lit, and that there were trails in their neighborhood
were each associated with significant decreases in nonschool MW-MVPA.
None of the neighborhood or transportation measures was associated with
changes in nonschool sedentary behavior. Further work is needed to
understand the determinants of the decline in physical activity and the
increase in sedentary behavior among adolescent girls
Johansson, K., Hasselberg, M., & Laflamme, L. (2010). Young adolescents'
independent mobility, related factors and association with transport to school. A
cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 10, 635.
BACKGROUND: Children's independent mobility differs between groups
of adolescents, but knowledge is lacking on how mobility-limiting factors
interact. This study explores the association between factors that can
affect young adolescents' mobility, searching for typical patterns within a
geographical area where mobility is both relatively high and promoted (in
this case Stockholm County, Sweden). An additional question is how
clusters of limiting factors and demographic attributes relate to active
commuting to school. METHODS: A sample of 7th grade students (ca 1314 years old) in Stockholm County, Sweden, answered a survey (n =
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1008). A cluster analysis was performed on variables descriptive of the
respondents and of potential limitations to their independent mobility, such
as fears, coping, traffic situation in the neighbourhood and parent/child
opinions on mobility (18 variables and 50 categories). Active commuting
to/from school was compared using proportion (with 95% confidence
intervals) by cluster. RESULTS: Five consistent and distinct clusters were
identified. Among the most discriminating factors were fears experienced
in the neighbourhood, strategies to cope with fear, type of housing and
traffic environment. Girls were over-represented in the two clusters most
typical of respondents experiencing fears (either several of these or
darkness in particular) and boys in two others where housing (house vs.
apartment) and neighbourhood conditions played a more determinant role.
The proportion of active commuting among respondents was quite similar
over clusters but was nonetheless higher in the cluster (over girls)
reporting more fears and other factors limiting mobility. CONCLUSIONS:
Whereas fears--and coping--are more typical of adolescent girls in the
formation of the clusters, household and neighbourhood characteristics
are more typical of boys. Broadly speaking, there seem to be two groups
of girls with fears but these differ based on types of fear, ways of coping
with fear and their living conditions. The association between the
limitations to mobility and active commuting is unclear, the latter being
higher among those disclosing a broader range of limiting factors,
including fears.
Kelly, E. B., Parra-Medina, D., Pfeiffer, K. A., Dowda, M., Conway, T. L., Webber,
L. S., et al. (2010). Correlates of Physical Activity in Black, Hispanic, and White
Middle School Girls. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7(2), 184-193.
Background: A need exists to better understand multilevel influences on
physical activity among diverse samples of girls. This study examined
correlates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among
adolescent girls from different racial/ethnic backgrounds. Methods: 1,180
6th grade girls (24.5% black, 15.7% Hispanic, and 59.8% white)
completed a supervised self-administered questionnaire that measured
hypothesized correlates of PA. MVPA data were collected for 6 days using
the ActiGraph accelerometer. Hierarchical regression analysis was used
to examine correlates of PA in each racial/ethnic group. Results: Hispanic
girls (n = 185) engaged in 21.7 minutes of MVPA per day, black girls (n =
289) engaged in 19.5 minutes of MVPA per day, and white girls (n = 706)
engaged in 22.8 minutes of MVPA per day. Perceived transportation
barriers (+; P=.010) were significantly and positively related to MVPA for
Hispanic girls. For black girls, Body Mass Index (BMI) (-; P=.005) and
social support from friends (+; P=.006) were significant correlates of
MVPA. For white girls, BMI (-; P<.001), barriers (-; P=.012), social support
from friends (+; P=.010), participation in school sports (+; P=.009), and
community sports (+; P=.025) were significant correlates of MVPA.
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Explained variance ranged from 30% to 35%. Conclusions: Correlates of
MVPA varied by racial/ethnic groups. Effective interventions in ethnically
diverse populations may require culturally tailored strategies.
Leslie, E., Kremer, P., Toumbourou, J. W., & Williams, J. W. (2010). Gender
differences in personal, social and environmental influences on active travel to
and from school for Australian adolescents. Journal of Science & Medicine in
Sport, 13(6), 597-601.
Abstract: Active travel (walking or cycling for transport) is an important
contributor to adolescents overall physical activity (PA). This study
examines associations between personal, social and environmental
variables and active travel to and from school using data from a large
observational study to examine active travel in 2961 year 6 and 8 students
(48.7% male), aged 10–14 years (M=11.4, SD=0.8yrs) from 231
schools. Participants completed an on-line survey and all reported living
within 2km of school. Data collected included mode of travel to and from
school, self-reported health, and PA variables. Social environmental
variables included having playgrounds, parks or gyms close by, feeling
safe to walk alone, barriers to walking in the neighbourhood (e.g. traffic,
no footpaths), peer and family support for PA, existence of sports
teams/scout groups, community disorder and perceived neighbourhood
safety. Results showed that while more girls (44.3%) than boys (37.4%)
walked to school, lower proportions rode bikes (8.3% vs 22.4%) and
hence fewer were active travellers overall. Logistic regression models,
adjusted for age, location and socio-economic status were conducted for
active travel to/from school, separately for boys and girls. Predictors for
boys and girls being ‘active travellers’ to/from school included
recreational facilities close to home, higher perceived safety of the
neighbourhood and higher community disorder. For boys, social support
from friends, scout groups available and higher enjoyment of physical
activity was also important. These findings suggest areas for future
research and may be used to guide strategies to increase active travel to
and from school.
Maddison, R., Jiang, Y. N., Hoorn, S. V., Mhurchu, C. N., Exeter, D., & Utter, J.
(2010). Perceived Versus Actual Distance to Local Physical-Activity Facilities:
Does It Really Matter? Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7(3), 323-332.
Background: Research in adults shows poor agreement between selfreported and objectively measured proximity to physical activity resources;
however there is little such research in adolescents. This study assessed
the level of agreement between self-reported and objective measures of
distance to physical activity resources in adolescents; and whether
perceived or actual distance was related to actual use and physical activity
levels. Methods: 110 New Zealand high school students (12-18 years)
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were asked the time (in minutes) it would take them to walk from their
home to the nearest physical activity resource, and whether they had used
it in the previous month. The distance from participants' homes to the
nearest resource was measured using GIS. Physical activity was
assessed with accelerometers. Results: Agreement was poor, with
weighted Kappa Indices ranging from 0.1 to 0.4. The facilities used most
frequently were schools (90%), public parks (76%), and playing fields
(74%). Closer location was associated with higher use of some facilities
only. Moderate-to-vigorous activity levels were not associated with selfreported or measured distance. Conclusions: Agreement between
perceived and measured access is poor among adolescents. Further
research is needed to understand how individual and social factors
interact with environmental factors and whether improving awareness
improves use.
Martin, S. B., Ede, A., Morrow Jr, J. R., & Jackson, A. W. (2010). Statewide
Physical Fitness Testing: Perspectives From the Gym. Research Quarterly for
Exercise & Sport, 81, S31-S41.
This paper provides observations of physical fitness testing in Texas
schools and physical education teachers' insights about large-scale testing
using the FITNESSGRAM® assessment (Cooper Institute, 2007) as
mandated by Texas Senate Bill 530. In the first study, undergraduate and
graduate students who were trained to observe and assess student fitness
testing in grades 3 through 12 provided observations. In the second study,
physical education teachers responded to selected interview questions
during a focus group discussion. From the observations and responses,
specific themes emerged related to teachers' knowledge and training
about conducting fitness testing and managing data, students' knowledge
and motivation, support and resources for conducting fitness
assessments, and complexity of the fitness situation.
McKenzie, T. L., Crespo, N. C., Baquero, B., & Elder, J. P. (2010). Leisure-Time
Physical Activity in Elementary Schools: Analysis of Contextual Conditions.
Journal of School Health, 80(10), 470-477.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about children's leisure-time physical
activity (PA) at school and how it is associated with contextual variables.
The purpose of this study was to objectively assess children's voluntary
PA during 3 daily periods and examine modifiable contextual factors.
METHODS: We conducted SOPLAY (System for Observing Play and
Leisure Activity in Youth) observations before school, during recess, and
at lunchtime in 137 targeted activity areas in 13 elementary schools over
18 months. During observations, each child was coded as Sedentary,
Walking, or Vigorous, and simultaneous entries were made for area
characteristics (accessibility, usability, presence of supervision, loose
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equipment, and organized activities). Logistic regression analysis was
used to test associations between PA and area characteristics. RESULTS:
Assessors made 2349 area visits and observed 36,995 children. Boys had
more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; 66.2 vs 60.0%, p <
.001) and more vigorous PA (29.8 vs 24.6%; p < .001) than girls. Areas
were typically accessible and usable, but provided organized activities
infrequently (16.5%). Odds of engaging in MVPA were greater during
lunch and recess than before school and in areas with play equipment (p <
.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children accrued a substantial amount of voluntary
PA during leisure time at school. Their PA would likely be increased if
school playground equipment was more readily available and if
supervisors were taught to provide active games and promote PA rather
than suppress it.
Nelson, N. M., & Woods, C. B. (2010). Neighborhood Perceptions and Active
Commuting to School Among Adolescent Boys and Girls. Journal of Physical
Activity & Health, 7(2), 257-266.
Background: Active commuting (AC) to school can increase daily minutes
of physical activity yet research is lacking on its determinants. This study
examined perceptions of the physical environment as a correlate of AC
among adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from
1143 males and 1016 females (mean age 16.04 +/- 0.66) who lived within
2.5 miles of their school. Participants' self-reported active (walk or cycle)
or inactive (car, bus, or train) mode of travel to school and perceptions of
their neighborhood environment. Bivariate logistic regression examined
perceived environmental features associated with active versus inactive
modes, adjusted for sociodemographic factors. Significant variables were
examined in multivariate models, adjusted for population density and
distance. Results: Positive correlates of AC included well-lit streets, landuse-mix diversity, access to shops/public transport, the presence of public
parks/bike lanes, and accessible well-maintained paths. Connectivity was
unrelated to mode choice. In multivariate analyses, land-use-mix diversity,
and the perceived presence of public parks remained significant among
males, whereas excess traffic speed, shops within walking distance, and
paths separate from the road remained significant among females.
Conclusions: Environmental characteristics were associated with active
commuting to school, however research must address methodological
issues before making recommendations for intervention.
Nichol, M., Janssen, I., & Pickett, W. (2010). Associations Between
Neighborhood Safety, Availability of Recreational Facilities, and Adolescent
Physical Activity Among Canadian Youth. Journal of Physical Activity & Health,
7(4), 442-450.
Background: The safety of neighborhoods and availability of parks and
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facilities may influence adolescent physical activity independently or
interactively. Methods: 9114 Canadians in grades 6 to 10 completed the
2006 Health Behavior in School-Aged Children Survey. The outcome of
interest was students' self-reported participation in moderate-to-vigorous
physical activity outside of school. A composite scale based on questions
measuring student perceptions of safety was used to capture individual
perceptions of safety. In addition, schools were grouped into quintiles
based on the mean of the perceived safety scale, used as a proxy for peer
perceptions. The number of parks and recreational facilities within 5 km of
schools was abstracted from a geographical information system. Results:
Moderate gradients in physical activity were observed according to
individual and group perceptions of safety. Boys and girls with the highest
perceptions of safety were 1.31 (95% CI: 1.17-1.45) and 1.45 (1.26-1.65)
times more likely to be physically active, respectively, than those with the
lowest perceptions. Compared with those who perceived the
neighborhood as least safe, elementary students in higher quintiles were
1.31, 1.39, 1.37, and 1.56 times more likely to be physically active (Ptrend = 0.012). Increased numbers of recreational features were not
related to physical activity irrespective of neighborhood safety.
Conclusions: Individual and group perceptions of neighborhood safety
were modestly associated with adolescents' physical activity.
Nielsen, G., Taylor, R., Williams, S., & Mann, J. (2010). Permanent Play Facilities
in School Playgrounds as a Determinant of Children's Activity. Journal of
Physical Activity & Health, 7(4), 490-496.
Background: To investigate whether the number of permanent playground
facilities in schools influences objectively measured physical activity.
Methods: Physical activity was measured using Actical accelerometers
over 2 to 5 days in 417 children (5-12 years) from 7 schools. The number
of permanent play facilities likely to encourage physical activity in
individuals or groups of children (eg, adventure playgrounds, swings,
trees, playground markings, courts, sandpits) were counted on 2
occasions in each school. The surface area of each playground (m(2))
was also measured. Results: The number of permanent play facilities in
schools ranged from 14 to 35 and was positively associated with all
measures of activity. For each additional play facility, average
accelerometry counts were 3.8% (P < .001) higher at school and 2.7% (P
< .001) higher overall. Each additional play facility was also associated
with 2.3% (P = .001) or 4 minutes more moderate/vigorous activity during
school hours and 3.4% (P < .001) more (9 minutes) over the course of the
day. School playground area did not affect activity independent of the
number of permanent play facilities. Findings were consistent across age
and sex groups. Conclusion: Increasing the number of permanent play
facilities at schools may offer a cost-effective and sustainable option for
increasing physical activity in young children.
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Norman, G. J., Adams, M. A., Kerr, J., Ryan, S., Frank, L. D., & Roesch, S. C.
(2010). A Latent Profile Analysis of Neighborhood Recreation Environments in
Relation to Adolescent Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Obesity. Journal of
Public Health Management and Practice, 16(5), 411-419.
Objective: This study examined whether multivariate profiles of the
neighborhood recreation environment were associated with adolescent
physical activity, sedentary time, and obesity. Design: Residential
addresses of 871 adolescents in San Diego County (53% female, mean
age = 12.8 years) were geocoded to create 1-mile network buffers.
Measures: Geographic information systems calculated neighborhood
environmental variables. Accelerometers (worn 3-7 days) estimated daily
moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time. Height
and weight were directly measured. Results: Latent profile analysis, using
7 environmental variables, resulted in 3 neighborhood profiles
characterized as "open space" (OS), "residential with cul-de-sacs" (RWC),
and "housing & facility dense" (HFD). These were named Adolescent
Recreation Environment Accessibility (AREA) profiles. Multiple regression
models stratified by gender tested associations between the AREA
profiles and outcomes. Boys were less sedentary in the OS and RWC
neighborhoods (7 hours per day) compared with the HFD neighborhoods
(8 hours per day) (P < .01), and boys were more likely to be obese in the
HFD neighborhoods (55%) compared with the OS group (24%) (P < .05).
Girls in the RWC neighborhoods had lower MVPA levels (70 minutes per
day) and were more likely to be obese (31%) than those in the OS
neighborhoods (79 minutes per day MVPA, 21% obese) (Ps < .05). No
differences were found for boys' MVPA or girls' sedentary time by the
AREA profiles. Conclusions: These findings highlight the complex
relationships among environmental factors, activity levels, and obesity.
Pelclova, J., El Ansari, W., & Vasickova, J. (2010). Is Participation in After-School
Physical Activity Associated with Increased Total Physical Activity? A Study of
High School Pupils in the Czech Republic. International Journal of Environmental
Research and Public Health, 7(7), 2853-2865.
This study assessed the physical activity (PA) levels and its variability
across days, months and seasons of two groups of high school pupils:
those who did and those who did not participate in regular organized afterschool physical activity (ASPA). Thirteen pupils wore pedometers
continuously for one school-year, logged their step counts into record
sheets and were then interviewed for information as regards their
participation in any ASPA. Repeated measures analysis of variance
showed that regardless of the day, month and season, ASPA pupils
achieved significantly more mean step counts/day than the non-ASPA
pupils. There were no significant fluctuations across months and seasons
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in PA levels of ASPA pupils when compared to non-ASPA pupils. We
conclude that regular organised ASPA might increase the pupils' total PA
levels; and could help to maintain a relatively constant PA level for
adolescents across the whole school-year regardless of the influences of
a range of weather and meteorological indicators that are related to
months/seasons.
Springer, A. E., Kelder, S. H., Barroso, C. S., Drenner, K. L., Shegog, R., Ranjit,
N., et al. (2010). Parental influences on television watching among children living
on the Texas-Mexico border. Preventive Medicine, 51(2), 112-117.
Purpose. We examined the association of parental television (TV) rules
and compliance with the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP)
recommendations of h of television per day in a primarily Hispanic sample
of elementary school children (n=734) living on the U.S. side of the TexasMexico border. The potential modifying effects of children's home
environment (parental TV watching, parent at home after school, and TV
in bedroom) were also examined. Methods. A cross-sectional analysis
was performed on baseline survey data merged from two waves (2006
and 2007) of a CDC-funded TV reduction intervention with 4th grade
children (mean age: 9.5 years). Logistic regression analyses were
conducted to examine associations. Results. Children who had TV rules
were 1.4 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.94) and 1.7 (95% CI: 1.22, 2.32) times more
likely to meet the AAP recommendation for weekend and weekday TV
watching, respectively. Parental TV watching and TV in bedroom modified
the effect of TV rules on children's TV watching, with null associations
found for children whose parents watch TV frequently and for children with
no TV in bedroom. No interaction effect was found for children's
afterschool context. Conclusions. Parental TV limits is one strategy for
reducing children's television watching that merits further investigation. (C)
2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Van Dyck, D., De Bourdeaudhuij, I., Cardon, G., & Deforche, B. (2010). Criterion
distances and correlates of active transportation to school in Belgian older
adolescents. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 7.
Background: Since physical activity levels in older adolescents have the
potential to be increased by stimulating active transportation to school
(ATS), the most important correlates of ATS should be determined before
developing interventions, especially in those adolescents for whom the
distance to school is feasible for active commuting. The main aims of this
study were to determine criterion distances for ATS in Belgian older
adolescents, to examine multidimensional correlates of ATS in
adolescents living within a feasible distance from school and to investigate
the associations of ATS with total physical activity and with other physical
activities besides ATS. Methods: In total, 1281 older adolescents (17-18
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years) from 20 general secondary schools in East-and West-Flanders
completed a questionnaire on physical activity behaviors, demographic
factors and psychosocial and physical environmental correlates of
physical activity. Distance to school was objectively measured using
Routenet online route planner. Results: In total, 58.4% of the participants
commuted actively to school. The criterion distance for ATS could be set
at eight kilometers for cycling and two kilometers for walking. For those
adolescents living within a feasible distance for ATS, gender, smoking
status, walkability of the neighborhood and social modeling were
associated with transportation mode choice. ATS was positively
associated with total physical activity, but not significantly related to
min/week of other physical activities. Conclusions: For older adolescents
living within eight kilometers of their school, interventions taking into
account the correlates found to be related to ATS could possibly be
effective to enhance ATS and to increase total physical activity levels. In
the context of the overall physical activity decline in adolescence, also
interventions targeting physical activity behaviors of adolescents living
further away from school might be needed, but these interventions should
probably emphasize alternative strategies.
Wheeler, B. W., Cooper, A. R., Page, A. S., & Jago, R. (2010). Greenspace and
children's physical activity: A GPS/GIS analysis of the PEACH project. Preventive
Medicine, 51(2), 148-152.
Objective. To quantify the volume and intensity of children's physical
activity after school in greenspace and elsewhere. Methods. Data were
collected between 2006 and 2008 from 1,307 children aged 10-11 in
Bristol, UK. Accelerometers and Global Positioning System receivers
measured activity and location every 10 s (epoch) after school for four
days. Data were mapped in a Geographic Information System with a
greenspace dataset. Activity volume (accelerometer counts per minute),
time in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and the odds of an
epoch being MVPA (using logistic regression) were compared for
greenspace, non-greenspace and indoors. Results. 13% of monitored time
was spent outdoors (2% in greenspace), during which time 30% of activity
volume and 35% of MVPA was accumulated. 7% of boys' activity volume
and 9% of MVPA were in greenspace with girls slightly lower (5% and 6%
respectively). The odds of an epoch being MVPA in greenspace relative to
outdoor non-greenspace was 1.37 (95% CI 1.22-1.53) for boys and 1.08
(95% CI 0.95-1.22) for girls. Conclusion. Most activity occurring outdoors
is not in greenspace and non-green urban environments are therefore
very important for children's activity. However, when boys are in
greenspace, activity is more likely to be of higher intensity. (C) 2010
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Xu, F. R., Chepyator-Thomson, J., Liu, W. H., & Schmidlein, R. (2010).
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Association between social and environmental factors and physical activity
opportunities in middle schools. European Physical Education Review, 16(2),
183-194.
School-based physical activity (PA) interventions impact children's PA
involvement and thus opportunities and associated factors for the
promotion of physical activity in children need to be examined. The
purpose of this study was to examine physical education teachers'
perceptions of PA opportunities available to students at the middle school
level and indicate associated factors that might influence these
opportunities. A questionnaire survey was administered to 292 public
middle school teachers in 181 schools located in the southeastern region
of the United States. The results of the study indicate the need for more
PA opportunities for middle school children in order for them meeting the
recommended daily PA involvement of 60 minutes. In addition, there were
statistically significant associations between PA opportunities and facilities
availability, school location, and family support, indicating that some social
and environmental factors tend to impact students' PA opportunities.
Built Environment and Adult Physical Activity/Obesity
Amorim, T. C., Azevedo, M. R., & Halle, P. C. (2010). Physical Activity Levels
According to Physical and Social Environmental Factors in a Sample of Adults
Living in South Brazil. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7, S204-S212.
Objective: To evaluate the association between the physical and social
environment and physical activity (leisure-time and transport-related) in a
population-based sample of adults. Methods: Cross-sectional study
including 972 adults (20-69 years) living in the urban area of Pelotas,
Brazil. Physical activity was measured using the long International
Physical Activity Questionnaire. Environmental variables were assessed
using a modified version of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability
Scale. Results: 69.8% (95% CI = 66.9-72.7) and 51.9% (95% CI = 48.855.1) of the subjects did not reach 150 min/wk on leisure-time and
transport-related physical activity, respectively. Subjects living near green
areas were more likely to be active in leisure-time, as well as those who
reported to live in safe neighborhoods. Transport-related physical activity
was higher among individuals living in areas with garbage accumulation,
and was lower among those living in neighborhoods which are difficult to
walk or cycle due to traffic. Social support was strongly associated with
leisure-time physical activity. Conclusions: Safety investments, which are
urgently required in Brazil, are likely to have a desirable side effect at
increasing physical activity at the population level. Building enjoyable and
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safe public spaces for physical activity practice must be prioritized.
Badland, H. M., Keam, R., Witten, K., & Kearns, R. (2010). Examining public
open spaces by neighborhood-level walkability and deprivation. J Phys Act
Health, 7(6), 818-824.
BACKGROUND: Public open spaces (POS) are recognized as important
to promote physical activity engagement. However, it is unclear how POS
attributes, such as activities available, environmental quality, amenities
present, and safety, are associated with neighborhood-level walkability
and deprivation. METHODS: Twelve neighborhoods were selected within
1 constituent city of Auckland, New Zealand based on higher (n = 6) or
lower (n = 6) walkability characteristics. Neighborhoods were
dichotomized as more (n = 7) or less (n = 5) socioeconomically deprived.
POS (n = 69) were identified within these neighborhoods and audited
using the New Zealand-Public Open Space Tool. Unpaired 1-way analysis
of variance tests were applied to compare differences in attributes and
overall score of POS by neighborhood walkability and deprivation.
RESULTS: POS located in more walkable neighborhoods have
significantly higher overall scores when compared with less walkable
neighborhoods. Deprivation comparisons identified POS located in less
deprived communities have better quality environments, but fewer
activities and safety features present when compared with more deprived
neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS: A positive relationship existed between
presence of POS attributes and neighborhood walkability, but the
relationship between POS and neighborhood-level deprivation was less
clear. Variation in neighborhood POS quality alone is unlikely to explain
poorer health outcomes for residents in more deprived areas.
Bassett, D. R., Jr., Wyatt, H. R., Thompson, H., Peters, J. C., & Hill, J. O. (2010).
Pedometer-measured physical activity and health behaviors in U.S. adults. Med
Sci Sports Exerc, 42(10), 1819-1825.
U.S. adults may have lower levels of ambulatory physical activity
compared with adults living in other countries. PURPOSE: The purpose of
this study was to provide descriptive, epidemiological data on the average
number of steps per day estimated to be taken by U.S. adults and to
identify predictors of pedometer-measured physical activity on the basis of
demographic characteristics and self-reported behavioral characteristics.
METHODS: The America On the Move study was conducted in 2003.
Individuals (N = 2522) aged 13 yr and older consented to fill out a survey,
including 1921 adults aged 18 yr and older. Valid pedometer data were
collected on 1136 adults with Accusplit AE120 pedometers. Data were
weighted to reflect the general U.S. population according to several
variables (age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, income, level of physical
activity, and number of 5- to 17-yr-old children in the household).
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Differences in steps per day between subgroups were analyzed using
unpaired t-tests when only two subgroups were involved or one-way
ANOVA if multiple subgroups were involved. RESULTS: Adults reported
taking an average of 5117 steps per day. Male gender, younger age,
higher education level, single marital status, and lower body mass index
were all positively associated with steps per day. Steps per day were
positively related to other self-reported measures of physical activity and
negatively related to self-reported measures on physical inactivity. Living
environment (urban, suburban, or rural) and eating habits were not
associated with steps per day. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, men
and women living in the United States took fewer steps per day than those
living in Switzerland, Australia, and Japan. We conclude that low levels of
ambulatory physical activity are contributing to the high prevalence of
adult obesity in the United States.
Bird, S. R., Radermacher, H., Sims, J., Feldman, S., Browning, C., & Thomas, S.
(2010). Factors affecting walking activity of older people from culturally diverse
groups: An Australian experience. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport,
13(4), 417-423.
This study sought to investigate the walking habits of older people from
diverse cultural backgrounds, and to identify the factors associated with
their walking. Three hundred and thirty three people over the age of 60
years were recruited from seven culturally diverse groups from the
Western suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. A survey questionnaire
recording physical activity, and various factors related to activity, was
interviewer-administered in the participants' preferred language. Data
were analysed using Kruskal Wallis. chi(2) and Mann Whitney tests. Fortyseven percent of the participants walked at least 150 min per week, with
no significant difference in prevalence between genders or cultural groups.
Sonic cultural differences were found in relation to reasons and locations
for walking, and women Were more likely than men to report walking in
the shopping mall, whilst men were more likely than women to report
walking in the park and along walking trails. Those who attained >150 min
of walking were more likely to report health and fitness as reasons for
walking, to perceive their walking environment as more pleasurable, to
use walking trails, and to consider their environment safe and to facilitate
social interaction. This study indicates that the continued advocating of
walking as a health promoting activity should be central to future
campaigns to increase physical activity in this age group. The provision of
locations that are accessible, safe, aesthetically pleasing. and encourage
social engagement are likely to facilitate older people's participation in
walking. For maximum effectiveness, however, strategies may benefit
from being tailored to meet specific gender and cultural preferences.
Boarnet, M. G., Joh, K., Siembab, W., Fulton, W., & Mai, T. N. (2010). Retrofitting
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the Suburbs to Increase Walking: Evidence from a Land-use-Travel Study. Urban
Studies, 48(1), 129-159.
This paper reports results from a detailed travel diary survey of 2125
residents in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County-a mature, autooriented suburban region. Study areas were divided into four centres,
typical of compact development or smart growth, and four linear, autooriented corridors. Results show substantial variation in the amount of
walking across study areas. Trips are shorter and more likely to be via
walking in centres. A key to the centres' increased walking travel is the
concentration of local shopping and service destinations in a commercial
core. Yet the amount of business concentration that is associated with
highly pedestrian-oriented neighbourhoods is from three to four times as
large as what can be supported by the local resident base, suggesting that
pedestrian-oriented neighbourhoods necessarily import shopping trips,
and hence driving trips, from larger surrounding catchment areas. The
results suggest both land use and mobility strategies that can be
appropriate for suburban regions.
Boucher, N., Dumas, F., Maltais, D. s. e. B., & Richards, C. L. (2010). The
influence of selected personal and environmental factors on leisure activities in
adults with cerebral palsy. Disability & Rehabilitation, 32(16), 1328-1338.
Purpose. This study examined the influence of selected personal and
environmental factors on leisure participation in adults with cerebral palsy
(CP). Methods. A group of 145 adults with CP (18–41 years old, 51%
male) responded to questionnaires regarding 1) socio-demographic and
health factors, 2) life habits (Life-H: short version 3.1) and 3) the
environment (Measure of the Quality of the Environment: version 2.0). A
χ² statistic ( p < 0.05) estimated the association between 1)
socio-demographic and health factors and the environment and 2) the
level of leisure activity participation. Results. Most participants (mean age
= 28 years) lived with their parents. Leisure activities were their principal
occupation. Mobility and participation were positively associated. The
environment (e.g. accompanying services, adapted transport, cultural
services and computers) facilitated leisure for those with a high or
moderate participation level. Individuals with low participation perceived
the environment as having no influence. Conclusions. Adults with CP who
are more mobile participate more in leisure activities. A positive perception
of the environment (facilitating leisure participation) likely reflects the
individual's ability to benefit from the environment, whereas a neutral view
of the environment may reflect the fact that other factors, such as mobility
limitations, are of greater relevance to leisure participation.
Broadstock, D. C., Collins, A., & Hunt, L. C. (2010). Modelling car trip
generations for UK residential developments using data from TRICS.
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Transportation Planning and Technology, 33(8), 671-678.
This paper models trip generation for a cross-section of residential
developments around the UK. Consistent with recent literature, the
empirical model tests whether trip making patterns for residential
developments are independent of car ownership and finds that trip
generation is dependent upon car ownership socio-economic factors and
site-specific characteristics, in particular land-zone type (e.g. town centre,
out of town, etc.). However, public transport services are not found to have
a significant relationship with trip generation; consequently, a policy
implication of the results is that increasing bus services to residential
developments is not associated with a reduction in generated trips.
Cerin, E., Leslie, E., Sugiyama, T., & Owen, N. (2010). Perceived Barriers to
Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Adults: An Ecological Perspective. Journal of
Physical Activity & Health, 7(4), 451-459.
Background: Perceived barriers are modifiable correlates of participation
in physical activity. Associations of specific perceived barriers with
participation in and level of walking for recreation, and other leisure-time
physical activity (LTPA) were examined. Personal, social, and
environmental factors associated with these perceived barriers were then
examined. Methods: From 2003 to 2004, 2 surveys collected data on
recreational walking and other LTPA, perceived barriers to participation,
and personal, social, and environmental attributes, from 2194 Australian
adults. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models examined
associations of perceived barriers with walking and other LTPA.
Generalized linear models identified the correlates of these perceived
barriers. Results: The perceived barriers of lack of motivation and time
were associated with level of LTPA, while lack of motivation, poor health,
and lack of facilities were associated with the odds of non-participation in
LTPA. Personal, social, and environmental factors independently
contributed to variations in perceived barriers. Conclusions: Level and
likelihood of participation in LTPA are associated with different perceived
barriers. Perceived barriers are a function of both nonmodifiable personal
factors and potentially modifiable personal, social, and environmental
factors. These findings suggest that the provision of relevant
environmental opportunities and social support may effectively reduce
perceived barriers to LTPA.
de Melo, L. L., Menec, V., Porter, M. M., & Ready, A. E. (2010). Personal
Factors, Perceived Environment, and Objectively Measured Walking in Old Age.
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 18(3), 280-292.
This study examined the associations between walking behavior and the
perceived environment and personal factors among older adults. Sixty
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participants age 65 yr or older (mean 77 +/- 7.27, range 65-92) wore
pedometers for 3 consecutive days. Perceived environment was assessed
using the Neighborhood Environment Walk-ability Scale (abbreviated
version). Physical function was measured using the timed chair-stands
test. The mean number of steps per day was 5,289 steps (SD = 4,029).
Regression analyses showed a significant association between personal
factors, including physical function (relative rate = 1.05, p < .01) and
income (RR = 1.43, p < .05) and the average daily number of steps taken.
In terms of perceived environment, only access to services was
significantly related to walking at the univariate level, an association that
remained marginally significant when controlling for personal
characteristics. These results suggest that among this sample of older
adults, walking behavior was more related to personal and intrinsic
physical capabilities than to the perceived environment.
Ewing, R., & Cervero, R. (2010). Travel and the Built Environment. Journal of the
American Planning Association, 76(3), 265-294.
Problem: Localities and states are turning to land planning and urban
design for help in reducing automobile use and related social and
environmental costs. The effects of such strategies on travel demand have
not been generalized in recent years from the multitude of available
studies. Purpose: We conducted a meta-analysis of the built environmenttravel literature existing at the end of 2009 in order to draw generalizable
conclusions for practice. We aimed to quantify effect sizes, update earlier
work, include additional outcome measures, and address the
methodological issue of self-selection. Methods: We computed elasticities
for individual studies and pooled them to produce weighted averages.
Results and conclusions: Travel variables are generally inelastic with
respect to change in measures of the built environment. Of the
environmental variables considered here, none has a weighted average
travel elasticity of absolute magnitude greater than 0.39, and most are
much less. Still, the combined effect of several such variables on travel
could be quite large. Consistent with prior work, we find that vehicle miles
traveled (VMT) is most strongly related to measures of accessibility to
destinations and secondarily to street network design variables. Walking is
most strongly related to measures of land use diversity, intersection
density, and the number of destinations within walking distance. Bus and
train use are equally related to proximity to transit and street network
design variables, with land use diversity a secondary factor. Surprisingly,
we find population and job densities to be only weakly associated with
travel behavior once these other variables are controlled. Takeaway for
practice: The elasticities we derived in this meta-analysis may be used to
adjust outputs of travel or activity models that are otherwise insensitive to
variation in the built environment, or be used in sketch planning
applications ranging from climate action plans to health impact
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assessments. However, because sample sizes are small, and very few
studies control for residential preferences and attitudes, we cannot say
that planners should generalize broadly from our results. While these
elasticities are as accurate as currently possible, they should be
understood to contain unknown error and have unknown confidence
intervals. They provide a base, and as more built-environment/travel
studies appear in the planning literature, these elasticities should be
updated and refined.
Fitzhugh, E. C., Bassett, D. R., & Evans, M. F. (2010). Urban Trails and Physical
Activity A Natural Experiment. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 39(3),
259-262.
Background: The built environment in which a person lives and works is
thought to have a strong influence on his or her level of physical activity.
However, this belief is largely based on cross-sectional studies underlining
the need for prospective studies using natural experiments. Design: This
study adopted a quasi-experimental research design with multiple control
neighborhoods and was conducted between 2005 and 2007. Data were
analyzed in 2008. Setting/participants: The subjects were children,
adolescents, and adults in free-living conditions within one experimental
and two control neighborhoods. Intervention: An urban greenway/trail was
retrofitted in a neighborhood that lacked connectivity of the residential
pedestrian infrastructure to nonresidential destinations. Main outcome
measures: The main outcomes were 2-hour counts of directly observed
physical activity in the general neighborhood and, at the school level,
active transport to school. Results: At the neighborhood level, the 2-hour
counts of physical activity significantly increased between 2005 and 2007
(p=0.000) in the intervention neighborhood, with a median increase of 8.0
counts. The control neighborhoods had a significant decrease in counts
(p= 0.000). The pre- and post-intervention changes between experimental
and control neighborhoods were significantly different for total physical
activity (p= 0.001); walking (p =0.001); and cycling (p=0.038). There was
no noted change over time for active transport to school in either the
intervention or control neighborhoods. Conclusions: Changes to the
pedestrian connectivity of the built environment infrastructure may lead to
greater levels of physical activity. However, this positive effect was limited
to physical activity at the neighborhood level and not to active transport to
school.
Frost, S. S., Goins, R. T., Hunter, R. H., Hooker, S. P., Bryant, L. L., Kruger, J.,
et al. (2010). Effects of the Built Environment on Physical Activity of Adults Living
in Rural Settings. American Journal of Health Promotion, 24(4), 267-283.
Objective. To conduct a systematic review of the literature to examine the
influence of the built environment (BE) on the physical activity (PA) of
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adults in rural settings. Data Source. Key word searches of Academic
Search Premier, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Sport Discus
were conducted. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria. Studies published
prior to June 2008 were included if they assessed one or more elements
of the BE, examined relationships between the BE and PA, and focused
on rural locales. Studies only reporting descriptive statistics or assessing
the reliability of measures were excluded. Data Extraction. Objective(s),
sample size, sampling technique, geographic location, and definition of
rural were extracted from each study. Methods of assessment and
outcomes were extracted from the quantitative literature, and overarching
themes were identified from the qualitative literature. Data Synthesis. Key
characteristics and findings from the data are summarized in Tables 1
through 3. Results. Twenty studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Positive associations were found among pleasant aesthetics, trails,
safety/crime, parks, and walkable destinations. Conclusions. Research in
this area is limited. Associations among elements of the BE and PA
among adults appear to differ between rural and urban areas.
Considerations for future studies include identifying parameters used to
define rural, longitudinal research, and more diverse geographic sampling.
Development and refinement of BE assessment tools specific to rural
locations are also warranted.
Gary-Webb, T. L., Baptiste-Roberts, K., Pham, L., Wesche-Thobaben, J.,
Patricio, J., Pi-Sunyer, X., et al. (2010). Neighborhood and weight-related health
behaviors in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) Study. Bmc Public
Health, 10.
Background: Previous studies have shown that neighborhood factors are
associated with obesity, but few studies have evaluated the association
with weight control behaviors. This study aims to conduct a multi-level
analysis to examine the relationship between neighborhood SES and
weight-related health behaviors. Methods: In this ancillary study to Look
AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) a trial of long-term weight loss
among individuals with type 2 diabetes, individual-level data on 1219
participants from 4 clinic sites at baseline were linked to neighborhoodlevel data at the tract level from the 2000 US Census and other
databases. Neighborhood variables included SES (% living below the
federal poverty level) and the availability of food stores, convenience
stores, and restaurants. Dependent variables included BMI, eating
patterns, weight control behaviors and resource use related to food and
physical activity. Multi-level models were used to account for individuallevel SES and potential confounders. Results: The availability of
restaurants was related to several eating and weight control behaviors.
Compared to their counterparts in neighborhoods with fewer restaurants,
participants in neighborhoods with more restaurants were more likely to
eat breakfast (prevalence Ratio [PR] 1.29 95% CI: 1.01-1.62) and lunch
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(PR = 1.19, 1.04-1.36) at non-fast food restaurants. They were less likely
to be attempting weight loss (OR = 0.93, 0.89-0.97) but more likely to
engage in weight control behaviors for food and physical activity,
respectively, than those who lived in neighborhoods with fewer
restaurants. In contrast, neighborhood SES had little association with
weight control behaviors. Conclusion: In this selected group of weight loss
trial participants, restaurant availability was associated with some weight
control practices, but neighborhood SES was not. Future studies should
give attention to other populations and to evaluating various aspects of the
physical and social environment with weight control practices.
Gomez, L. F., Sarmiento, O. L., Parra, D. C., Schmid, T. L., Pratt, M., Jacoby, E.,
et al. (2010). Characteristics of the Built Environment Associated With LeisureTime Physical Activity Among Adults in Bogota, Colombia: A Multilevel Study.
Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7, S196-S203.
Background: Even though there is increasing evidence that the built
environment (BE) has an influence on leisure-time physical activity
(LTPA), little is known about this relationship in developing countries. The
objective of this study was to assess the associations between objective
built environment characteristics and LTPA. Methods: A cross-sectional
multilevel study was conducted in 27 neighborhoods in which 1315 adults
aged 18-65 years were surveyed. An adapted version of the IPAQ (long
version) was used to assess LTPA. Objective BE characteristics were
obtained using Geographic Information Systems. Associations were
assessed using multilevel polytomous logistic regression. Results:
Compared with inactive people, those who resided in neighborhoods with
the highest tertile dedicated to parks (7.4% to 25.2%) were more likely to
be regularly active (POR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.13-3.72; P = 0.021). Those
who resided in neighborhoods with presence of TransMilenio stations
(mass public transportation system) were more likely to be irregularly
active (POR = 1.27,95% CI = 1.07-1.50, P = 0.009) as compared with
inactive people. Conclusions: These findings showed that park density
and availability of TransMilenio stations at neighborhood level are
positively associated with LTPA. Public health efforts to address physical
inactivity should consider the potential influences of urban planning and
mass public transportation systems on health.
Hallal, P. C., Reis, R. S., Parra, D. C., Hoehner, C., Brownson, R. C., & Simoes,
E. J. (2010). Association Between Perceived Environmental Attributes and
Physical Activity Among Adults in Recife, Brazil. Journal of Physical Activity &
Health, 7, S213-S222.
Background: To evaluate the association between perceived
environmental factors and leisure-time and transport-related physical
activity. Methods: A random-digit-dialing telephone cross-sectional survey
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in Recife, Brazil, was conducted among individuals aged 16 years or older
(n = 2046). Leisure-time and transport-related physical activity were
measured using the long version of the International Physical Activity
Questionnaire. Three outcome variables were used: leisure-time physical
activity (min/wk), transport-related physical activity (min/wk), and walking
for leisure (min/wk). A cutoff of 150 min/wk was used for all outcome
variables. The environmental module of the questionnaire was based on
the short version of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (ANEWS), and included 12 environmental items. Results: The proportions of
subjects reaching the 150-minutes per week threshold were 30.6% for
leisure-time physical activity, 26.6% for transport-related physical activity
and 18.2% for walking for leisure. Lack of sidewalks and low access to
recreational facilities were associated with a lower likelihood of performing
150 minutes per week or more of leisure-time physical activity. Lack of
sidewalks was associated with low levels of walking for leisure.
Neighborhood aesthetics was inversely associated with transport-related
physical activity. Conclusions: Lack of sidewalks and low access to
recreational facilities were predictors of low levels of leisure-time physical
activity, suggesting that policy strategies aimed at improving these
environmental features may be warranted.
Hino, A. A. F., Reis, R. S., Ribeiro, I. C., Parra, D. C., Brownson, R. C., &
Fermino, R. C. (2010). Using Observational Methods to Evaluate Public Open
Spaces and Physical Activity in Brazil. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7,
S146-S154.
Background: Open public spaces have been identified as important
facilities to promote physical activity (PA) at the community level. The
main goals of this study are to describe open public spaces user's
characteristics and to explore to what extent these characteristics are
associated with PA behavior. Methods: A system of direct observation was
used to evaluate the PA levels on parks and squares (smaller parks) and
users's characteristics (gender and age). The 4 parks and 4 squares
observed were selected from neighborhoods with different socioeconomic
status and environmental characteristics. The settings were observed 3
times a day, 6 days per week, during 2 weeks. Results: More men than
women were observed in parks (63.1%) and squares (70.0%) as well as
more adults and adolescents than older adults and children. Users were
more physically active in parks (men = 34.1%, women = 36.1%) than in
squares (men = 25.5%, women 22.8%). Conclusions: The characteristics
of public open spaces may affect PA in the observed places. Initiatives to
improve PA levels in community settings should consider users'
characteristics and preferences to be more effective and reach a larger
number of people.
Hollingsworth, H., & Gray, D. B. (2010). Structural Equation Modeling of the
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Relationships Between Participation in Leisure Activities and Community
Environments by People With Mobility Impairments. Archives of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation, 91(8), 1174-1181.
Objective: To examine the linkages between the constructs of participation
and the environment for a set of leisure activities (attending concerts,
attending movies, attending sporting events). Design: Self-report surveys
of the influence of the environment on participation were analyzed using
structural equation modeling. Temporal, evaluative, and health-related
aspects of leisure activities were selected as latent variables associated
with participation. The environmental construct consisted of the latent
variables of the influence on participation of the natural, interpersonal,
built, background, and supportive environments. Setting: Midwestern
United States. Participants: A purposive sample of people (N=604) with
mobility limitations. Intervention: None. Main Outcome Measures:
Measures of relationships between participation in leisure activities and
the environment of people with mobility limitations. Results: Structural
equation modeling can be an important tool for empirically examining the
contributions of the component latent variables of participation and the
environment. Conclusions: A model that fits participation by people with
disabling conditions in their environment can provide guidance for
community-based interventions and person-based therapies.
Inoue, S., Ohya, Y., Odagiri, Y., Takamiya, T., Ishii, K., Kitabayashi, M., et al.
(2010). Association between Perceived Neighborhood Environment and Walking
among Adults in 4 Cities in Japan. Journal of Epidemiology, 20(4), 277-286.
Background: Recent research highlights the importance of environment as
a determinant of physical activity; however, evidence among Japanese is
sparse. The aim of this study was to examine the association between
perceived neighborhood environment and neighborhood walking for
multiple purposes among Japanese. Methods: We conducted a
population-based, cross-sectional study of 1461 Japanese adults (age:
48.2 +/- 14.1 years, men: 44.8%). Neighborhood environment and walking
were assessed by a validated questionnaire. The odds ratio of active
walkers was calculated in relation to environmental characteristics after
adjustment for age, sex, and other potential confounders. Results:
Participants were more likely to walk when they perceived that there was
high residential density (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.111.96), fair land use mix-diversity (1.37, 1.04-1.81), good walking/cycling
facilities (1.56, 1.19-2.04), and attractive aesthetics (1.49, 1.14-1.95).
Environmental factors associated with walking differed with respect to the
purpose for walking. The environmental characteristics associated with
walking for daily errands and with walking for commuting were similar, and
included residential density and land use mix. Walking for leisure was
associated with walking/cycling facilities, aesthetics, and traffic safety.
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Stratified analyses showed some sex-specific associations. Among
women, there was an unexpected inverse association of leisure walking
with both residential density and land use mix-diversity. Conclusions: The
association between neighborhood environment and walking differed by
walking purpose. The results were generally consistent with those of
studies conducted in Western countries, except for the association of high
residential density and good land use mix-diversity with less leisure
walking in women. These results suggest possible targets for
environmental interventions to promote walking.
Ismailov, R. M., & Leatherdale, S. T. (2010). Rural-urban differences in
overweight and obesity among a large sample of adolescents in Ontario.
International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 5(4), 351-360.
Objective. Increasing our understanding of the differences between
obesity and overweight status across various geographical areas may
have important public health implications. We aimed to explore prevalence
and factors (i.e., demographic and lifestyle) associated with overweight
and obesity among youth across urban, suburban and rural settings.
Methods. A cross-sectional study used self-reported data collected from
students (grades 9-12) attending 76 high schools in Ontario, Canada, as
part of the SHAPES-Ontario study (2005-2006). Of the 34 578 eligible
students selected to complete the Physical Activity Module in the 76
participating schools, 73.5% (n = 25 416; 50.8% males, 49.2% females)
completed the survey. Univariate and multivariate analyses were
conducted using body mass index for weight measurement and selfreported data on lifestyle factors, and self-perception of body weight.
Results. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 14.3% and
6.3%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight in urban, suburban and
rural areas was 14.6%, 13.8% and 15.1%, respectively, while the
prevalence of obesity was 6.3%, 6.0% and 6.7%, respectively, and the
difference was significant (chi(2) = 16.53, p < 0.05). In the multivariate
logistic regression analysis, age, TV watching, level of urbanization and
perception of body weight were important predictors of overweight and
obesity. Conclusion. Our understanding of how overweight and obesity
rates vary depending on the level of urbanization may help health
professionals to either tailor programs to the needs of the individuals living
in these different areas or to target existing programs to the contexts
where they are most likely to have an impact.
Kaczynski, A. T. (2010). Neighborhood Walkability Perceptions: Associations
With Amount of Neighborhood-Based Physical Activity by Intensity and Purpose.
Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7(1), 3-10.
Background: Built environments are associated with physical activity (PA),
but most studies to date have employed acontextual PA outcome
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measures. The purposes of this study were to examine the proportion of
PA that occurred within participants' neighborhoods and associations
between neighborhood walkability attributes and different intensities and
purposes of PA episodes occurring specifically within neighborhoods.
Methods: 384 community residents completed 7 subscales of the
Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) and a detailed 7day PA log-booklet that included the duration, intensity, and purpose of all
episodes. Results: Only one-third of reported PA episodes occurred in
participants' neighborhoods. Higher ratings for 5 of the 7 walkability
variables were associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in at
least some moderate-intensity neighborhood PA (versus none), but were
not significantly associated with engaging in greater levels of
neighborhood PA (150+ versus 1-149 minutes). Land use mix access,
street connectivity, and aesthetics were significant predictors of
transportation-related neighborhood PA, but only aesthetics was
significantly associated with neighborhood recreational PA. Conclusions:
Improving neighborhood walkability may be a stimulus for increased
neighborhood PA, especially among largely sedentary individuals, but
different attributes are associated with transportation-related and
recreational activity.
Leslie, E., Cerin, E., & Kremer, P. (2010). Perceived neighborhood environment
and park use as mediators of the effect of area socio-economic status on walking
behaviors. J Phys Act Health, 7(6), 802-810.
BACKGROUND: Access to local parks can affect walking levels.
Neighborhood environment and park use may influence relationships
between neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) and walking.
METHODS: Self-report data on perceived park features, neighborhood
environment, park use, neighborhood walking and sociodemographics
were obtained from a sample of Australian adults, living in high/low SES
areas. Surveys were mailed to 250 randomly selected households within
500m of 12 matched parks. Mediating effects of perceived environment
attributes and park use on relationships between area-SES and walking
were examined. RESULTS: Mean frequency of local park use was higher
for high-SES residents (4.36 vs 3.16 times/wk, P < .01), who also reported
higher levels of park safety, maintenance, attractiveness, opportunities for
socialization, and neighborhood crime safety, aesthetics, and traffic safety.
Safety and opportunity for socialization were independently positively
related to monthly frequency of visits to a local park which, in turn, was
positively associated with walking for recreation and total walking.
Residents of higher SES areas reported an average 22% (95% CI: 5%,
37%) more weekly minutes of recreational walking than their low SES
counterparts. CONCLUSION: Residents of high-SES areas live in
environments that promote park use, which positively contributes to their
weekly amounts of overall and recreational walking.
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MacDonald, J. M., Stokes, R. J., Cohen, D. A., Kofner, A., & Ridgeway, G. K.
(2010). The Effect of Light Rail Transit on Body Mass Index and Physical Activity.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 39(2), 105-112.
Background: The built environment can constrain or facilitate physical
activity. Most studies of the health consequences of the built environment
face problems of selection bias associated with confounding effects of
residential choice and transportation decisions. Purpose: To examine the
cross-sectional associations between objective and perceived measures
of the built environment; BMI; obesity (BMI>30 kg/m(2)); and meeting
weekly recommended physical activity (RPA) levels through walking and
vigorous exercise. To assess the effect of using light rail transit (LRT)
system on BMI, obesity, and weekly RPA levels. Methods: Data were
collected on individuals before (July 2006-February 2007) and after
(March 2008-July 2008) completion of an LRT system in Charlotte NC.
BMI, obesity, and physical activity levels were calculated for a comparison
of these factors pre- and post-LRT construction. A propensity score
weighting approach adjusted for differences in baseline characteristics
among LRT and non-LRT users. Data were analyzed in 2009. Results:
More-positive perceptions of one's neighborhood at baseline were
associated with a 0.36 (p<0.05) lower BMI; 15% lower odds (95%
CI=0.77, 0.94) of obesity; 9% higher odds (95% CI = 0.99, 1.20) of
meeting weekly RPA through walking; and 11% higher odds (95% CI =
1.01, 1.22) of meeting RPA levels of vigorous exercise. The use of LRT to
commute to work was associated with an average 1.18 reduction in BMI
(p<0.05) and an 81% reduced odds (95% CI = 0.04, 0.92) of becoming
obese over time. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that
improving neighborhood environments and increasing the public's use of
LRT systems could provide improvements in health outcomes for millions
of individuals.
McConville, M. E., Rodriguez, D. A., Clifton, K., Cho, G., & Fleischhacker, S.
(2010). Disaggregate Land Uses and Walking. American Journal of Preventive
Medicine, 40(1), 25-32.
Background: Although researchers have explored associations between
mixed-use development and physical activity, few have examined the
influence of specific land uses. Purpose: This study analyzes how the
accessibility, intensity, and diversity of nonresidential land uses are related
to walking for transportation. Methods: Multinomial logistic regression was
used to investigate associations between walking for transportation and
neighborhood land uses in a choice-based sample of individuals (n = 260)
in Montgomery County MD. Land uses examined included banks, bus
stops, fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, libraries, rail stations, offices,
parks, recreation centers, non-fast-food restaurants, retail, schools, sports
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facilities, night uses, physical activity uses, and social uses. Exposure to
these uses was measured as the street distance from participants' homes
to the closest instance of each land use (accessibility); the number of
instances of each land use (intensity); and the number of different land
uses (diversity). Data were collected from 2004-2006 and analyzed in
2009-2010. Results: After adjusting for individual-level characteristics, the
distances to banks, bus stops, fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, rail
stations, physical activity uses, recreational facilities, restaurants, social
uses and sports facilities were associated negatively with transportation
walking (ORs [95% CI] range from 0.01 [0.001, 0.11] to 0.91 [0.85, 0.97]).
The intensities of bus stops, grocery stores, offices, and retail stores in
participants' neighborhoods were associated positively with transportation
walking (ORs [95% CI] range from 1.05 [1.01, 1.08] to 5.42 [1.73, 17.01]).
Land-use diversity also was associated positively with walking for
transportation (ORs [95% CI] range from 1.39 [1.20, 1.59] to 1.69 [1.30,
2.20]). Conclusions: The accessibility and intensity of certain
nonresidential land uses, along with land-use diversity, are positively
associated with walking for transportation. A careful mix of land uses in a
neighborhood can encourage physical activity.
McCormack, G. R., Rock, M., Toohey, A. M., & Hignell, D. (2010). Characteristics
of urban parks associated with park use and physical activity: A review of
qualitative research. Health & Place, 16(4), 712-726.
Given that recent literature reviews on physical activity in urban parks
deliberately excluded qualitative findings, we reviewed qualitative research
on this topic informed by a published classification scheme based on
quantitative research. Twenty-one studies met our inclusion criteria. These
studies relied mainly on semi-structured interviews with individuals or in
focus groups; only five studies involved in situ observation. Our synthesis
aligns with previous quantitative research showing that attributes including
safety, aesthetics, amenities, maintenance, and proximity are important for
encouraging park use. Furthermore, our synthesis of qualitative research
suggests that perceptions of the social environment entwine inextricably
with perceptions of the physical environment. If so, physical attributes of
parks as well as perceptions of these attributes (formed in relation to
broader social contexts) may influence physical activity patterns. Both
qualitative and quantitative methods provide useful information for
interpreting such patterns, and in particular, when designing and
assessing interventions intended to improve the amount and intensity of
physical activity.
Michael, Y. L., Perdue, L. A., Orwoll, E. S., Stefanick, M. L., Marshall, L. M., &
Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study, G. (2010). Physical activity resources and
changes in walking in a cohort of older men. Am J Public Health, 100(4), 654660.
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OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the influence of physical activity resources
and neighborhood-level socioeconomic status (SES) on walking among
community-dwelling older men. METHODS: Participants reported time
walked per day at baseline (2000-2002) and follow-up. Residential
addresses were linked to a geographic information system database to
assess proximity to parks, trails, and recreational facilities. Log-binomial
regression analyses were conducted to test the hypothesis that men living
near physical activity resources were more likely to increase or maintain
time walked. RESULTS: Average time walked per day declined by 6
minutes between baseline and follow-up (P < .05). There was a significant
interaction of neighborhood SES and physical activity with walking time (P
< .1). Proximity to parks and proximity to trails, respectively, were
associated with a 22% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01, 1.47) and
34% (95% CI = 1.16, 1.55) higher likelihood of maintaining or increasing
walking time in high-SES neighborhoods, but there was no association in
low-SES neighborhoods. Proximity to recreational facilities was not
associated with walking. CONCLUSIONS: Uncovering reasons that
proximity to parks and trails is not associated with maintenance of walking
activity among men in low-SES neighborhoods could provide new insight
into ways to promote physical activity.
Molina-Garcia, J., Castillo, I., & Sallis, J. F. (2010). Psychosocial and
environmental correlates of active commuting for university students. Preventive
Medicine, 51(2), 136-138.
Objective. To examine psychosocial and environmental correlates of
active commuting to university (ACU) and explore its association with
overall physical activity among college students. Methods. The sample
included 518 students (mean 22.4 years; 59.7% female) from two
universities in Valencia, Spain. Weekly estimations of energy expenditure
from ACU and total physical activity were obtained. Socio-economic
status, self-efficacy, barriers to active transport, access to car and
motorbike, access to public transport, walking and cycling facilities and
distance to university were assessed. Data were collected April and May
of 2009, using a self-administered survey. A structural equation model
was used to analyze associations among variables. Results. ACU was
inversely correlated with access to private motorized transport (car or
motorbike). Perception of physical self-efficacy and walking and cycling
facilities were positively associated with ACU, while planning/psychosocial
barriers were negatively associated. Multivariate modelling explained 19%
of variance in ACU. ACU was not related to total daily physical activity.
Conclusions. Both psychological and environmental variables were
significant correlates of ACU. Present findings provide an empirical basis
for interventions to increase active transport among university students.
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Pucher, J., Buehler, R., Bassett, D. R., & Dannenberg, A. L. (2010). Walking and
Cycling to Health: A Comparative Analysis of City, State, and International Data.
American Journal of Public Health, 100(10), 1986-1992.
Objectives. We sought to determine the magnitude, direction, and
statistical significance of the relationship between active travel and rates
of physical activity, obesity, and diabetes. Methods. We examined
aggregate cross-sectional health and travel data for 14 countries, all 50
US states, and 47 of the 50 largest US cities through graphical,
correlation, and bivariate regression analysis on the country, state, and
city levels. Results. At all 3 geographic levels, we found statistically
significant negative relationships between active travel and self-reported
obesity. At the state and city levels, we found statistically significant
positive relationships between active travel and physical activity and
statistically significant negative relationships between active travel and
diabetes. Conclusions. Together with many other studies, our analysis
provides evidence of the population-level health benefits of active travel.
Policies on transport, land-use, and urban development should be
designed to encourage walking and cycling for daily travel.
Rovniak, L. S., Saelens, B. E., Sallis, J. F., Frank, L. D., Marshall, S. J., Norman,
G. J., et al. (2010). Adults' Physical Activity Patterns Across Life Domains:
Cluster Analysis With Replication. Health Psychology, 29(5), 496-505.
Objective: Identifying adults' physical activity patterns across multiple life
domains could inform the design of interventions and policies. Design:
Cluster analysis was conducted with adults in two U.S. regions
(Baltimore/Washington, DC, n = 702; Seattle, WA [King County], n = 987)
to identify different physical activity patterns based on adults' reported
physical activity across four life domains: leisure, occupation, transport,
and home. Objectively measured physical activity, and psychosocial and
built (physical) environment characteristics of activity patterns were
examined. Main Outcome Measures: Accelerometer-measured activity,
reported domain-specific activity, psychosocial characteristics, built
environment, body mass index. Results: Three clusters replicated (K =
.90-.93) across both regions: Low Activity, Active Leisure, and Active Job.
The Low Activity and Active Leisure adults were demographically similar,
but Active Leisure adults had the highest psychosocial and built
environment support for activity, highest accelerometer-measured activity,
and lowest body mass index. Compared to the other clusters. the Active
Job cluster had lower socioeconomic status and intermediate
accelerometer-measured activity. Conclusion: Adults can be clustered into
groups based on their patterns of accumulating physical activity across life
domains. Differences in psychosocial and built environment support
between the identified clusters suggest that tailored interventions for
different subgroups may be beneficial.
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Sarmiento, O. L., Schmid, T. L., Parra, D. C., Diaz-del-Castillo, A., Gomez, L. F.,
Pratt, M., et al. (2010). Quality of Life, Physical Activity, and Built Environment
Characteristics Among Colombian Adults. Journal of Physical Activity & Health,
7, S181-S195.
Background: Studies assessing the association between health-related
quality of life (HR-QOL) with physical activity (PA) and built environment
(BE) characteristics are limited. Methods: A cross-sectional study was
conducted among 1,334 adults from Bogota, to assess the associations
between HR-QOL with PA and BE characteristics. HR-QOL was
measured using the World Health Organization and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention instruments. PA was measured using the
International PA Questionnaire. BE characteristics included the
dimensions of density, diversity, design, and access to mass-transit.
Analysis included multilevel modeling. Results: Adults who reported
meeting PA recommendations and participating in the Ciclovia were more
likely to have a high mean score of HR-QOL and were more likely to
perceive their health status as good/excellent. Adults who reported biking
for transportation were more likely to have a high mean score of HR-QOL.
Regarding BE characteristics, land-use heterogeneity was associated with
HR-QOL, perceived good health status and being positive about the
future. Park density was associated with HR-QOL, perceived health status
good/excellent and being positive about the future. Mass-transit stations
availability was negatively associated with HR-QOL. Conclusion: This
study provides preliminary evidence that HR-QOL is associated with PA
and BE characteristics among adults in an urban setting of the developing
world.
Spittaels, H., Verloigne, M., Gidlow, C., Gloanec, J., Titze, S., Foster, C., et al.
(2010). Measuring physical activity-related environmental factors: reliability and
predictive validity of the European environmental questionnaire ALPHA.
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 7.
Background: A questionnaire to assess physical activity related
environmental factors in the European population (a 49-item and an 11item version) was created as part of the framework of the EU-funded
project "Instruments for Assessing Levels of PHysical Activity and fitness
(ALPHA)". This paper reports on the development and assessment of the
questionnaire's test-retest stability, predictive validity, and applicability to
European adults. Methods: The first pilot test was conducted in Belgium,
France and the UK. In total 190 adults completed both forms of the
ALPHA questionnaire twice with a one-week interval. Physical activity was
concurrently measured (i) by administration of the long version of the
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) by interview and (ii)
by accelerometry (Actigraph T device). After adaptations, the second field
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test took place in Belgium, the UK and Austria; 166 adults completed the
adapted questionnaire at two time points, with minimum one-week
interval. In both field studies intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and
proportion of agreement were computed to assess the stability of the two
test scores. Predictive validity was examined in the first field test by
correlating the results of the questionnaires with physical activity data from
accelerometry and long IPAQ-last 7 days. Results: The reliability scores of
the ALPHA questionnaire were moderate-to good in the first field testing
(ICC range 0.66 - 0.86) and good in the second field testing (ICC range
0.71 - 0.87). The proportion of agreement for the ALPHA short increased
significantly from the first (range 50 - 83%) to the second field testing
(range 85 - 95%). Environmental scales from both versions of the ALPHA
questionnaire were significantly associated with self-reported minutes of
transport-related walking, and objectively measured low intensity physical
activity levels, particularly in women. Both versions were easily
administered with an average completion time of six minutes for the 49item version and less than two minutes for the short version. Conclusion:
The ALPHA questionnaire is an instrument to measure environmental
perceptions in relation to physical activity. It appears to have good
reliability and predictive validity. The questionnaire is now available to
other researchers to investigate its usefulness and applicability across
Europe.
Stanis, S. A. W., Schneider, I. E., & Pereira, M. A. (2010). Parks and Health:
Differences in Constraints and Negotiation Strategies for Park-Based Leisure
Time Physical Activity by Stage of Change. Journal of Physical Activity & Health,
7(2), 273-284.
Background: Public parks are increasingly recognized as important places
that facilitate physical activity. Despite the presence of parks, constraints
to recreation and physical activity at parks exist. As the health benefits
identified with physical activity require long-term and regular activity, it is
important to examine factors pertaining to physical activity participation
beyond initiation. This study explored differences in reported constraints to
park based physical activity and negotiation strategies by physical activity
stage of change. Methods: Data were collected among visitors to one
Minnesota state park via onsite and follow-up questionnaires. Results: The
average visitor had a healthier weight than the average U.S. and
Minnesota adult and the majority of visitors were meeting the physical
activity recommendations (86.4%). Respondents in the inactive/insufficient
stages were more constrained and used fewer negotiation strategies than
respondents in the maintenance stage. Conclusions: Results both support
and expand on previous research findings. Specifically, this study
supports research which indicates the adoption and maintenance of
physical activity are influenced by different individual, social and
environmental factors, and expands the research base by examining
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constraints and negotiation at different physical activity stages in a park
setting. Implications of these findings provide directions for future stagebased intervention efforts.
Stodolska, M., & Shinew, K. J. (2010). Environmental constraints on leisure time
physical activity among Latino urban residents. Qualitative Research in Sport &
Exercise, 2(3), 313-335.
While there exists growing research on the environmental correlates of
physical activity among the mainstream American population, evidence of
the effects of environmental constraints on leisure time physical activity
(LTPA) among minority groups in this country is lacking. Moreover, the
existing literature on the constraints on LTPA among minorities has
concentrated primarily on socio-cultural issues. In light of this, the
objective of this study was to investigate environmental constraints on
LTPA experienced by Latino residents of two predominantly low-income
minority communities in the city of Chicago, IL. Four focus groups with
residents and 11 in-depth interviews with community stakeholders were
conducted between June 2007 and December 2008. The findings of the
study showed that lack of access to natural environments suitable for
LTPA, poor maintenance of parks, inability to obtain recreation equipment,
safety issues, language problems and lack of Spanish-language
information about programmes, racial tensions and discrimination, and
traffic problems limited Latino's involvement in LTPA.
Stronegger, W. J., Titze, S., & Oja, P. (2010). Perceived characteristics of the
neighborhood and its association with physical activity behavior and self-rated
health. Health & Place, 16(4), 736-743.
The aim of our study was to identify perceptions of the residential
environment and their association with physical activity for specific
purposes and with self-rated health in an urban context. A representative
survey of inhabitants of Graz (a mid-sized Austrian city) aged 15-60 years
(n = 997) was conducted. We found a perceived high social-environmental
quality of the residential environment to be associated with higher levels of
self-rated health and leisure time physical activity. Both leisure time
physical activity and satisfaction with environmental quality were
independently linked with self-rated health. Furthermore, a high level of
satisfaction with the individual's local infrastructure may support the
residents to engage in higher levels of physical activity for transportation,
whereas the preferred mode of transportation may be gender-specific:
men tend to use the bicycle while women walk. Our results suggest that
local infrastructure facilities should be designed so as to ensure
accessibility by both walking and cycling. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights
reserved.
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Sugiyama, T., Francis, J., Middleton, N. J., Owen, N., & Giles-Corti, B. (2010).
Associations Between Recreational Walking and Attractiveness, Size, and
Proximity of Neighborhood Open Spaces. American Journal of Public Health,
100(9), 1752-1757.
Objectives. We examined associations of attractiveness, size, and
proximity of multiple neighborhood open spaces (NOSs) with recreational
walking. Methods. Adults participating in the Residential Environments
(RESIDE) study (n = 1366) in Perth, Australia, reported time spent
engaging in recreational walking within their neighborhoods. Park audit
data and geographic information systems were used to identify the most
attractive, largest, and nearest NOS within a 1.6-km radius from each
participant's residential location. Regression analysis was used to
examine attributes (attractiveness, size, and proximity) of these open
spaces and their associations with participants' recreational walking.
Results. Shorter distance to attractive open spaces was associated with
doing any recreational walking, but adults with larger attractive open
spaces within 1.6 km of their home were more likely to walk 150 minutes
or more in a week. Conclusions. For adults, the presence of a large, highquality park within walking distance of one's home may be more important
in promoting sufficient amounts of walking for health benefits than is the
presence of an open space within a shorter distance.
Titze, S., Giles-Corti, B., Knuiman, M. W., Pikora, T. J., Timperio, A., Bull, F. C.,
et al. (2010). Associations Between Intrapersonal and Neighborhood
Environmental Characteristics and Cycling for Transport and Recreation in
Adults: Baseline Results From the RESIDE Study. Journal of Physical Activity &
Health, 7(4), 423-431.
Background: This study investigated the relationship between individual
and neighborhood environmental factors and cycling for transport and for
recreation among adults living in Perth, Western Australia. Methods:
Baseline cross-sectional data from 1813 participants (40.5% male; age
range 18 to 78 years) in the RESIDential Environment (RESIDE) project
were analyzed. The questionnaire included information on cycling
behavior and on cycling-specific individual, social environmental, and
neighborhood environmental attributes. Cycling for transport and
recreation were dichotomized as whether or not individuals cycled in a
usual week. Results: Among the individual factors, positive attitudes
toward cycling and perceived behavioral control increased the odds of
cycling for transport and for recreation. Among the neighborhood
environmental attributes, leafy and attractive neighborhoods, access to
bicycle/walking paths, the presence of traffic slowing devices and having
many 4-way street intersections were positively associated with cycling for
transport. Many alternative routes in the local area increased the odds of
cycling for recreation. Conclusions: Effective strategies for increasing
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cycling (particularly cycling for transport) may include incorporating
supportive environments such as creating leafy and attractive
neighborhood surroundings, low traffic speed, and increased street
connectivity, in addition to campaigns aimed at strengthening positive
attitudes and confidence to cycle.
Van Dyck, D., Cerin, E., Cardon, G., Deforche, B., Sallis, J. F., Owen, N., et al.
(2010). Physical activity as a mediator of the associations between neighborhood
walkability and adiposity in Belgian adults. Health & Place, 16(5), 952-960.
This study examined whether physical activity (PA) and sedentary
behavior mediated the relationship of neighborhood walkability with two
measures of adiposity. body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio
(WHTR) Twenty-four neighborhoods in Ghent, Belgium were selected,
stratified by objectively assessed walkability and by socio-economic status
Participants (1200 adults aged 20-65 years) completed the International
Physical Activity Questionnaire and wore an accelerometer for 7 days
Weight and height were self-reported and waist circumference was
objectively measured Accelerometer-assessed moderate-to-vigorous PA
and self-reported cycling for transport mediated the associations of
walkability with BMI and WHTR. Moreover, walking for transport and
recreational walking significantly mediated the relationship between
walkability and BMI. Sedentary behavior did not mediate associations of
walkability with BMI or WHTR. These findings suggest that PA, but not
sedentary behavior, is a mechanism by which walkability may affect
adults' adiposity Planning for neighborhoods to be high in walkability could
have favorable effects on physical activity and weight status.
Vella-Zarb, R. A., & Elgar, F. J. (2010). Predicting the 'freshman 15':
Environmental and psychological predictors of weight gain in first-year university
students. Health Education Journal, 69(3), 321-332.
Objectives: (1) To investigate weight gain in first-year university students;
and (2) to examine whether environmental and psychological factors,
specifically accommodation and stress, predict weight gain. Methods:
Eighty-four first-year university students (77 per cent female) were
weighed and completed the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck and
Mermelstein, 1983) and a health habits questionnaire at the beginning and
end of their first semester of university (Mean duration = 76.67 days, SD =
1.76). Results: Weight gain was small, but significant (M = 0.89 kg, SD =
3.30). Students living on-campus gained more weight than their offcampus peers, M = 1.65 kg and 0.13 kg respectively, t(82) = -2.32, p <
.05. No significant relationship was found between stress and weight
change. Conclusions: These results suggest that the first year of university
is a critical period for weight gain, especially for students living in
residence. Greater understanding of risk factors associated with weight
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gain in first-year university students, particularly students living in
residence, could lead to prevention of this weight gain and potential
subsequent overweight and obesity.
Winters, M., & Teschke, K. (2010). Route Preferences Among Adults in the Near
Market for Bicycling: Findings of the Cycling in Cities Study. American Journal of
Health Promotion, 25(1), 40-47.
Purpose. To provide evidence about the types of transportation
infrastructure that support bicycling. Design. Population-based survey with
pictures to depict 16 route types. Setting. Metro Vancouver, Canada.
Subjects. 1402 adult current and potential cyclists, i.e., the "near
market"for cycling (representing 31% of the population). Measures.
Preference scores for each infrastructure type (scale from - 1, very
unlikely to use, to + 1, very likely to use); current frequency of use of each
infrastructure type (mean number of times/y). Analyses. Descriptive
statistics across demographic segments; multiple linear regression.
Results. Most respondents were likely or very likely to choose to cycle on
the following broad route categories: off-street paths (71%-85% of
respondents); physically separated routes next to major roads (71%); and
residential routes (48%-65%). Rural roads (21%-49%) and routes on
major streets (16%-52%) were least likely to be chosen. Within the broad
categories, routes with traffic calming, bike lanes, paved surfaces, and no
on-street parking were preferred, resulting in increases in likelihood of
choosing the route from 12% to 37%. Findings indicate a marked disparity
between preferred cycling infrastructure and the route types that were
currently available and commonly used. Conclusion. This study provides
evidence for urban planners about bicycling infrastructure designs that
could lead to an increase in active transportation.
Yang, M., Wang, W., Chen, X. W., Xu, R. T., & Gu, T. Q. (2010). Modeling
Destination Choice Behavior Incorporating Spatial Factors, Individual
Sociodemographics, and Travel Mode. Journal of Transportation EngineeringAsce, 136(9), 800-810.
Destination choice studies have been primarily carried out in developed
countries. However in China, a typical developing country, few studies
about destination choice exist. In this paper, we propose nonlinear-inparameters multinomial logit models to investigate the influences of spatial
factors on both work and intermediate stop destination choices. We use
individual sociodemographics, travel-activity attributes, and land-use
characteristics as exogeneous variables. Individual's destination choice
behaviors with different sociodemographics and travel modes are
examined as well. The models are applied to data collected in the city of
Shangyu, China. Compared with previous studies, this research further
distinguishes the size variables influencing destination choices for work
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and intermediate stop in the type and the extent to which each type of size
variables exerts influence. Besides, the preferences to destination choices
are more clearly illustrated, resulting from the typical occupation
characteristics and commuting modes of China.
Zhao, Z., & Kaestner, R. (2010). Effects of urban sprawl on obesity. J Health
Econ, 29(6), 779-787.
In this paper, we examine the effect of changes in population densityurban sprawl-between 1970 and 2000 on BMI and obesity of residents in
metropolitan areas in the U.S. We address the possible endogeneity of
population density by using a two-step instrumental variables approach.
We exploit the plausibly exogenous variation in population density caused
by the expansion of the U.S. Interstate Highway System, which largely
followed the original 1947 plan for the Interstate Highway System. We find
a negative association between population density and obesity, and
estimates are robust across a wide range of specifications. Estimates
indicate that if the average metropolitan area had not experienced the
decline in the proportion of population living in dense areas over the last
30 years, the rate of obesity would have been reduced by approximately
13%.
Policy
Beets, M. W., Rooney, L., Tilley, F., Beighle, A., & Webster, C. (2010).
Evaluation of policies to promote physical activity in afterschool programs: Are
we meeting current benchmarks? Preventive Medicine, 51(3-4), 299-301.
Background. Policies now recommend afterschool programs (ASP, 3-6
pm) provide children a minimum amount of physical activity daily. We
examined the extent to which children attending ASPs meet existing
national and state-level policies that specify expected levels of physical
activity (PA). Methods. Accelerometer-derived physical activity (light and
moderate-to-vigorous, MVPA) of 253 children (5-13 years) was compared
to policies that recommend varying amounts of PA children should
achieve during an ASP. Results. The proportion of children achieving a
policy ranged from 0.0% (California 60 min MVPA and North Carolina 20%
of daily program time devoted to MVPA), 1.2% (California 30 min MVPA),
to 48.2% (National Afterschool Association 30 min light plus MVPA).
Random effects logistic models indicated boys (odds ratio [OR] range 2.0
to 6.27) and children from a minority background (Black/Hispanic, OR
range 1.87 to 3.98) were more likely to achieve a recommended level of
physical activity, in comparison to girls and White children. Neither age nor
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BMI were related to achieving a policy. Conclusions. The PA of children
attending ASP falls below policy recommended levels: however, these
policies were developed in absence of data on expected PA levels during
ASPs. Thus, concerted effort towards building a stronger ASP evidencebase for policy refinement is required.
Beets, M. W., Wallner, M., & Beighle, A. (2010). Defining Standards and Policies
for Promoting Physical Activity in Afterschool Programs. Journal of School
Health, 80(8), 411-417.
METHODS: A systematic review of state-level ASP organizations'
standards/policies was conducted to identify documentation that included
language explicitly defining or related to the promotion of physical activity
within ASP. State-level ASP organizations were identified from registries
available from national ASP organizations. Documentation was retrieved
from online sources and reviewed using a standardized content analysis
protocol. RESULTS: Quality ASP definitions were retrieved from 47 states.
Of these, 14 incorporated language related to the promotion of PA. This
included the provision of adequate outdoor space for attendees to be
active, provision of frequent PA opportunities, and promoting physical
development. A total of 5 states had standards/policies that explicitly
identified the amount of time for attendees to be physically active during
ASP attendance, while 3 states outlined standards/policies regarding core
competencies for ASP providers to promote PA. CONCLUSIONS: Overall,
standards/polices related to promoting PA within ASP were largely absent.
Those that do exist, however, can provide a foundation for future empirical
tests. The testing of these standards/policies will assist in the development
of national guidelines to promote PA within the ASP setting.
Buehler, R. (2010). Transport Policies, Automobile Use, and Sustainable
Transport: A Comparison of Germany and the United States. Journal of Planning
Education and Research, 30(1), 76-93.
The automobile contributes to costly trends like pollution, oil dependence,
congestion, and obesity. This article investigates determinants of
individual car travel through a comparison of Germany and the USA. Even
controlling for socioeconomic variables and spatial development patterns,
two comparable national travel surveys show that Germans are less cardependent than Americans. Multivariate analysis reveals that car travel
demand in the USA is more responsive to price than in Germany. Results
suggest Americans may more easily reduce driving when faced with
increasing gasoline prices. Low costs of driving in the USA may contribute
to more discretionary driving, whereas higher costs of car travel in
Germany may have already encouraged prudent car use.
Calise, T. V., & Martin, S. (2010). Assessing the Capacity of State Physical
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Activity Programs-A Baseline Perspective. Journal of Physical Activity & Health,
7(1), 119-126.
Background: Physical inactivity is one of the top 3 risk factors associated
with an increased prevalence of obesity and other chronic diseases. The
public health infrastructure positions state health departments to address
physical inactivity. To examine preparedness, all 50 health departments
were assessed, using the 5 benchmarks developed by CDC for physical
activity and public health practice, on their capacity to administer physical
activity programs. Methods: States were scored on a 5-point scale for
each benchmark. The top 2 high and low scores were combined to create
2 categories. Exact Chi-square analyses were performed. Results: States
with CDC obesity funding scored higher on 4 benchmarks than states
without. States with a state physical activity plan scored higher on all
benchmarks than states without. States with a physical activity coalition
scored higher on 2 benchmarks than states without. Conclusions: At the
time of the assessment, approximately 20% of state physical activity
programs could have improved in the use of evidence-based strategies
and planning and evaluation approaches. Furthermore, many programs
seemed to have limited sustainability. The findings of this report serve as
a baseline of the capacity and infrastructure of state health department
physical activity programs.
Clay, M. J. (2010). Developing an integrated land-use/transportation model for
small to medium-sized cities: case study of Montgomery, Alabama.
Transportation Planning and Technology, 33(8), 679-693.
Many large cities and regions are currently developing integrated land-use
and transportation models for the first time. They are doing so in response
to needs expressed by their constituents and to shifts in national policy
that require consistency between local land-use plans and regional
transportation plans. In addition, these models offer the ability to conduct a
wide variety of scenario testing for both infrastructure and policy
alternatives. The magnitude of commitment in both human and financial
resources to develop these integrated models has typically been large,
which has hitherto limited the application of these models to larger cities
and regions. The purpose of this paper is to present the integrated landuse and transport model development project being undertaken by the
Montgomery, Alabama, Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO,
regional pop. similar to 300,000) as a case study for other small to
medium-sized MPOs interested in developing one of these modeling
systems. Several items of broad interest are presented, including the
model selection process and criteria, a description of an 'Agile' iterative
development process, a set of data requirements and how these data
were obtained, a description of the model calibration process, and
conclusions and recommendations for other cities and regions seeking to
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replicate this process.
Evenson, K. R., Wen, F., Lee, S. M., Heinrich, K. M., & Eyler, A. (2010). National
Study of Changes in Community Access to School Physical Activity Facilities:
The School Health Policies and Programs Study. Journal of Physical Activity &
Health, 7, S20-S30.
Background: A Healthy People 2010 developmental objective (22-12) was
set to increase the proportion of the nation's public and private schools
that provide access to their physical activity spaces and facilities for all
persons outside of normal school hours The purpose of this study was to
describe the prevalence of indoor and outdoor facilities at schools and the
availability of those facilities to the public in 2000 and 2006. Methods: In
2000 and 2006, the School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS)
was conducted in each state and in randomly selected districts, schools,
and classrooms. This analysis focused on the school level questionnaire
from a nationally representative sample of public and nonpublic
elementary, middle, and high schools (n = 921 in 2000 and n = 984 in
2006). Results: No meaningful changes in the prevalence of access to
school physical activity facilities were found from 2000 to 2006, for youth
or adult community sports teams, classes, or open gym Conclusions:
These national data indicate a lack of progress from 2000 and 2006
toward increasing the proportion of the nation's public and private schools
that provide access to their physical activity facilities for all persons
outside of normal school hours.
Kelly, I. R., Phillips, M. A., Revels, M., & Ujamaa, D. (2010). Contribution of the
School Environment to Physical Fitness in Children and Youth. Journal of
Physical Activity & Health, 7(3), 333-342.
Background: This study analyzed the effect of school practices regarding
the provision of physical education (PE) on the physical fitness of children
and youth. Methods: Using an untapped sample of approximately 5000
5th and 7th graders from 93 schools in Georgia in 2006, individual-level
and merged school-level data on physical education were analyzed.
Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to estimate the potential
influence of the school environment on measured health outcomes.
Controls were included for grade, gender, race/ethnicity, urbanicity, and
county of residence. Results: Variables measuring 8 school-level practices
pertaining to physical education were found to have significant effects on
cardiovascular fitness as measured by the FitnessGram, with signs in the
expected direction. These variables, combined with demographic
variables, explained 29.73% of the variation in the Progressive Aerobic
Cardiovascular Endurance Run but only 4.53% of the variation in the body
mass index. Conclusions: School-level variables pertaining to PE
practices were collectively strong predictors of physical fitness, particularly
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cardiovascular fitness. Schools that adopt these policies will likely
encourage favorable physical activity habits that may last into adulthood.
Future research should examine the causal relationships among physical
education practices, physical activity, and health outcomes.
Mathews, A. E., Pluto, D., Ogoussan, O., & Banda, J. (2010). Active Travel to
School: Policies and Attitudes of School and District Leaders. Journal of Physical
Activity & Health, 7, S13-S19.
Background: When promoting active travel to school, it is important to
consider school and district policies as well as attitudes of school and
district administrators. Methods: School principals and district officials in
South Carolina participated in the School Travel Survey. Frequency
distributions and Chi-squared tests were used to analyze the data Results:
Three hundred fourteen persons responded to the survey (53 2%
response rate). Sixty-five percent of district officials reported having a
clear position about students walking to school, 80.0% of which were
supportive Seventy-two percent of principals reported having a clear
position about walking to school, 67% of which were supportive. These
positions were most commonly communicated either orally or through
memos or other written documentation rather than through official, written
policies or directives. Respondents who personally supported walking to
school were more likely to believe that walking to school benefited
students' health (chi(2) = 8.82, df = 1, P = 003) and academic
performance (chi(2) = 14.87, df = 1, P < .0001) Conclusions: Promotion of
walking to school should encourage schools and districts to develop
official, written directives or policies Promotional efforts may benefit from
linking active travel to academic performance and health.
Park, C. H., Chodzko-Zajko, W., Ory, M. G., Gleason-Senior, J., Bazzarre, T. L.,
& Mockenhaupt, R. (2010). The impact of a national strategy to increase physical
activity among older adults on national organizations. J Aging Phys Act, 18(4),
425-438.
This study was designed to evaluate the impact of the National Blueprint
(NB) on the policies, programs, and organizational culture of selected
national organizations. The theoretical model selected to assess the
impact of the NB on organizational behavior was Burke's system theory of
organizational change. Three organizations, AARP, the American College
of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and the Administration on Aging (AoA), were
selected for the study. Two individuals in each of these organizations were
selected for interview. Semistructured interviews and document reviews
were used in the data-collection process. Findings showed that the
publication and establishment of the NB resulted in changes in the
operating procedures of AARP, ACSM, and AoA. The results were broadly
consistent with Burke's system theory of organizational change. The
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publication of the NB was shown to affect the behavior of organizational
leaders, organizational culture, policies, programs, and individual and
organizational performance. The new information generated has
increased our understanding of the impact of health campaigns on
organizational behavior.
Steinman, L., Doescher, M., Levinger, D., Perry, C., Carter, L., Eyler, A., et al.
(2010). Master Plans for Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation: Community
Characteristics. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7, S60-S66.
Background: Recent research demonstrates the importance of targeting
the built environment to support individual physical activity, particularly for
people experiencing health disparities. Master plans to promote biking
and/or pedestrians (BPMPs) are a potential method for environmental
change. This descriptive study aims to provide a snapshot of plan
attributes and better understand demographic, social and transportation
characteristics of communities with BPMPs. Methods: We collected a
census sample of BPMPs from 4 states. Population and commuting data
were obtained from national statistics. Results: 294 master plans were
included, with most plans representing municipalities. 62% of plans
targeted biking only, one-fifth targeted biking and walking, and 15%
targeted walking only. The sampled locations have a similar demographic
profile as the overall U.S. for median age and household Income, people
of color, high school education, and income inequality. The degree of
racial diversity of sampled communities is slightly less than the U S.
average and the percentage of people who walk to work were slightly
higher. Conclusions: Given that communities with master plans have a
similar profile as the overall U.S., BPMPs could feasibly be spread to
communities throughout the country. Further research is planned to
describe BPMPs in detail toward informing future plan development.
Van Tuyckom, C., & Scheerder, J. (2010). A multilevel analysis of social
stratification patterns of leisure-time physical activity among Europeans. Science
& Sports, 25(6), 304-311.
Introduction: Physical activity (PA) is an important public health issue and
its benefits in relation to health have been strongly emphasized in recent
years in Europe.
Facts. This article examines the social stratification of leisure-time PA
among Europeans (EU-27) in 2005. Based on the Eurobarometer 64.3
survey, the results of our Hierarchical Linear Modeling Bernoulli model
show that 4 out of 10 Europeans are not exposed to PA in their leisure
time. In addition, leisure-time PA in the EU-27 is socially stratified
according to sex, age, occupation, and geographical status. Moreover,
with respect to both overall leisure-time PA and the social stratification of
leisure-time PA, there are substantial between-country variations that
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should be scrutinized in future research.
Conclusion: The current findings show that it is important for EU
member states to draw up national plans in support of leisure-time PA that
take account of the customs and cultural characteristics of a country.
Social Environment and Youth Physical Activity/Obesity
Barr-Anderson, D. J., Robinson-O'Brien, R., Haines, J., Hannan, P., & NeumarkSztainer, D. (2010). Parental Report Versus Child Perception of Familial Support:
Which Is More Associated With Child Physical Activity and Television Use?
Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7(3), 364-368.
Background: Parent-report and child perception of familial support for
weight-related behaviors may not be congruent. This research explores
whether parent-report or child perception is more strongly associated with
child-reported physical activity and television (TV) use. Methods:
Elementary school children (n = 73) participating in Ready. Set. ACTION!,
a theater-based obesity prevention pilot program in Saint Paul, MN, and
their parents completed surveys assessing familial support for physical
activity and limitations on TV use in fall 2006. Paired t tests examined
congruency between parent-report and child perception. Linear regression
models adjusted for sociodemographics explored the associations
between familial support and child-reported behavior. Results: Levels of
agreement between parent-report and child perception for support for
physical activity and limitations on TV use were approximately 70%.
Compared with parent-report for physical activity support, child perception
was more strongly associated with child physical activity (beta = .17, P =
.02). Neither parent-report nor child perception for support for limitations
on TV use was associated with child TV use. Discussion: Although parentreport and child perception of familial support for physical activity and to
limit TV use were similar, child perception was more strongly associated
with child physical activity behavior. More research, probably qualitative, is
needed to examine how parents and children define and perceive parental
support.
Berrigan, D., Forsyth, B. H., Helba, C., Levin, K., Norberg, A., & Willis, G. B.
(2010). Cognitive testing of physical activity and acculturation questions in recent
and long-term Latino immigrants. Bmc Public Health, 10.
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Background: We ascertained the degree to which language (English
versus Spanish), and residence time in the US influence responses to
survey questions concerning two topics: self-reported acculturation status,
and recent physical activity (PA). This topic is likely to be of general
interest because of growing numbers of immigrants in countries
worldwide. Methods: We carried out qualitative (cognitive) interviews of
survey items on acculturation and physical activity on 27 Latino subjects
from three groups: (a) In Spanish, of those of low residence time (less
than five years living in the U. S.) (n = 9); (b) In Spanish, of those of high
residence time (15 or more years in the U. S) (n = 9); and (c) in English, of
those of high residence time (n = 9). Results: There were very few
language translation problems; general question design defects and sociocultural challenges to survey responses were more common. Problems
were found for both acculturation and PA questions, with distinct problem
types for the two question areas. Residence time/language group was
weakly associated with overall frequency of problems observed: low
residence time/Spanish (86%), high residence time/ Spanish (67%), and
English speaking groups (62%). Conclusions: Standardized survey
questions related to acculturation and physical activity present somewhat
different cognitive challenges. For PA related questions, problems with
such questions were similar regardless of subject residence time or
language preference. For acculturation related questions, residence
time/language or education level influenced responses to such questions.
These observations should help in the interpretation of survey results for
culturally diverse populations.
Carlson, S. A., Fulton, J. E., Lee, S. M., Foley, J. T., Heitzler, C., & Huhman, M.
(2010). Influence of Limit-Setting and Participation in Physical Activity on Youth
Screen Time. Pediatrics, 126(1), E89-E96.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations of demographics, rules
associated with television-viewing, and physical activity with daily screen
time (including television, non-school-related computer use, and video
games) in children and adolescents. METHODS: We analyzed data from a
telephone survey of 7415 youth aged 9 to 15 years from the Youth Media
Campaign Longitudinal Survey. We used logistic regression models to
calculate odds of exceeding recommended screen-time limits (>120
minutes/day) according to demographics, rules, and physical activity.
RESULTS: Odds that children would exceed recommended screen-time
limits were positively associated with age and black race/ethnicity and
negatively associated with income level. Children and adolescents who
reported that they really agreed that their parents had rules about time
spent watching television and playing video games were less likely to
exceed recommended limits than those who strongly disagreed that their
parents had rules. Similarly, when parents reported always or very often
having limits on television watching (versus rarely or never) and when
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parents correctly identified the recommended limits, children were less
likely to exceed recommended limits. Children whose parents reported
consistent limits and who themselves reported consistent rules about time
spent watching television had the lowest prevalence of exceeding
recommended limits. Odds that children would exceed recommended
limits decreased as physical activity in the previous week increased.
CONCLUSIONS: Parental rules regarding screen time and participation in
physical activity play a role in the amount of screen time among children
and adolescents. Programs that encourage limit-setting by parents and
promote physical activity may reduce screen time among youth. Pediatrics
2010; 126: e89-e96
Giletta, M., Scholte, R. H. J., Engels, R., & Larsen, J. K. (2010). Body mass index
and victimization during adolescence: The mediation role of depressive
symptoms and self-esteem. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 69(6), 541-547.
Objective: This study applied a multi-method approach to examine the
relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the experience of
victimization during adolescence by investigating the role of intrapersonal
feelings. Methods: The sample consisted of 2051 adolescents (M=13.8
years, S.D.=0.7; 51% male) from seven high schools in the Netherlands.
Participants' weight and height were measured and they completed selfreport questionnaires on victimization, depressive symptoms and selfesteem. Self-reported and peer-reported measures of victimization were
collected and combined to create three different victimization types (i.e.,
self/peer-identified, self-identified, and peer-identified). Results:
Hierarchical logistic regression analyses revealed that higher BMI was
associated with both self/peer-identified victimization and self-identified
victimization. Intrapersonal feelings (i.e., depressive symptoms and selfesteem) were found to mediate these associations. However, BMI was not
associated with peer-identified victimization. Conclusion: These findings
suggest that the association between BMI and victimization might be
exclusively related to the self-perception of high BMI adolescents.
Moreover, the mediation effects indicate that the perception of
victimization might be linked to psychological difficulties of adolescents
with high BMI. Thus, to fully understand the associations between weight
status and victimization, intrapersonal mechanisms need to be examined.
(C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Griew, P., Page, A., Thomas, S., Hillsdon, M., & Cooper, A. R. (2010). The
school effect on children's school time physical activity: The PEACH Project.
Preventive Medicine, 51(3-4), 282-286.
Objective. The school-setting is a potentially important environment for
influencing children's physical activity. However limited research has
focused on whether children's school-time physical activity is associated
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with the school they attend. This paper investigates the school effect on
children's physical activity. Method. Participants were 1307 pupils aged
10-11 years recruited from 23 primary schools in Bristol, UK during 20062008. Multilevel modelling (MLM) (MLwin 2.02) was used to asses
between school differences in children's physical activity, measured using
accelerometry (ActiGraph GT1M), adjusting for both individual and school
variables. Results. A significant school effect (p = 0.001) was found
accounting for 14.5% of the total variance in physical activity. Boys were
significantly more active than girls (p < 0.001), and the school attended
accounted for a greater proportion of variance in boys' physical activity
than girls' (23.4% vs. 12.2%). Seasonal variation and economic
deprivation of the school neighbourhood were both significantly associated
with children's school-time activity. Conclusion. This paper highlights a
significant school effect on children's physical activity providing evidence
that the school attended should be accounted for in future analysis and
supporting the use of MLM in this field. Further investigation is required to
explain the differences in physical activity found between schools.
Grow, H. M. G., Cook, A. J., Arterburn, D. E., Saelens, B. E., Drewnowski, A., &
Lozano, P. (2010). Child obesity associated with social disadvantage of children's
neighborhoods. Social Science & Medicine, 71(3), 584-591.
Evidence suggests variability in adult obesity risk at a small-scale
geographic area is associated with differences in neighborhood
socioeconomic status (SES). However, the extent to which geographic
variability in child obesity is associated with neighborhood SES is
unknown. The objective of this paper was to estimate risk of child obesity
associated with multiple census tract SES measures and race within a
large urban U.S. county. Height, weight, age, sex, medical insurance type
and census tract residence were obtained for 6-18 year old children (n =
8616) who received medical care at a health plan in King County,
Washington, in 2006. Spatial analyses examined the individual risk of
obesity (BMI >= 95th percentile) with 2000 US census tract measures of
median household income, home ownership, adult female education level,
single parent households, and race as predictors. Conditional
autoregressive regression models that incorporated adjacent census
tracts (spatial autocorrelation) were applied to each census tract variable,
adjusting for individual variables. We found that in adjusted spatial
models, child obesity risk was significantly associated with each census
tract variable in the expected direction: lower household income, lower
home ownership, and for each 10% increase in less educated women,
and single parent households, as well as non-white residents. In a spatial
model including all variables, the SES/race variables explained
approximately 24% of geographic variability in child obesity. Results
indicated that living in census tracts with social disadvantage defined by
multiple different measures was associated with child obesity among
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insured children in a large U.S. urban county. These results contribute
new information on relationships between broader social and economic
context and child obesity risk using robust spatial analyses.
Juan, F. R., Bengoechea, E. G., Montes, M. E. G., & Bush, P. L. (2010). Role of
Individual and School Factors in Physical Activity Patterns of Secondary-Level
Spanish Students. Journal of School Health, 80(2), 88-95.
BACKGROUND: While the importance of individual and school factors as
correlates of overall youth physical activity has been demonstrated by
previous research, less is known about the relationship of these factors
with specific patterns of physical activity during adolescence. Thus, the
purpose of this study was to examine the association of selected individual
and school factors with patterns of physical activity based on a sum index
of physical activity in a population-based sample of Spanish adolescents.
METHODS: One thousand and eighty-four students aged 12 to 17 years
completed a self-report survey once during school hours. In addition to
participation in physical activity outside of school hours, the following
variables were included in the analysis: gender, age, weight status,
physical self-perceptions, evaluation of the school physical education
experience, and type of school (public vs private). Multinomial logistic
regression was used to model the associations among the variables and
to calculate odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each
pattern of physical activity. RESULTS: The physical self-perceptions
variable was the most consistent individual correlate of physical activity
across participation patterns (ORs ranging from 4.29 to 1.88, CIs ranging
from 2.16-8.54 to 1.10-3.21). Regarding the school variables included in
this study, both were linked with participation in physical activity, but
evaluation of the physical education experience showed the most
consistent associations across activity patterns (ORs 2.49-2.17, CIs 1.494.15 to 1.25-3.74). CONCLUSION: Physical education programs may
benefit adolescents with different physical activity participation
preferences regardless of important individual characteristics and broader
school factors.
Li, J., & Hooker, N. H. (2010). Childhood Obesity and Schools: Evidence From
the National Survey of Children's Health. Journal of School Health, 80(2), 96-103.
BACKGROUND: The international prevalence of childhood obesity and
obesity-related diseases has received increasing attention. Applying data
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we explore
relationships between childhood obesity and school type, National School
Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) eligibility,
membership in sports clubs and other sociodemographic, and household
factors. METHODS: Nonlinear regression models with interaction terms
were developed to investigate the effects of school type, physical activity,
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and NSLP/SBP, etc, on children's body mass index (BMI). Probit models
then examine the probability of a child being overweight. RESULTS:
Though clinically small, statistically significant effects on BMI were found
for children from households eligible for the NSLP/SBP, attending public
schools. They have a mean BMI value 0.401 higher than counterparts
attending private schools (p < .05). If the child both attends public school
and is eligible for the NSLP/SBP, then his or her BMI is 0.725 higher (p <
.001). Children taking part in the NSLP or SBP have a 4.5% higher
probability of being overweight (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of
household socioeconomic status, children attending public schools have
higher BMI than those attending private schools. Eligibility for free or
reduced-cost lunch or breakfast programs at public schools is positively
correlated with children's BMI. Children attending public schools are more
likely to be overweight. In lower socioeconomic status households, school
type does not have a significant effect on the probability of being
overweight. Policy recommendations for factors to address childhood
obesity are discussed.
Merten, M. J. (2010). Parental health and adolescent obesity in the context of
community disadvantage. Health & Place, 16(5), 1053-1057.
This study examined whether parental physical health, including obesity,
is associated with adolescent obesity considering the context and level of
community disadvantage using survey data from 13,907 adolescents (1218 years of age) and their parent(s) from Wave 1 of the National
Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health as well as 1990 census tract data
Poor parental health, particularly obesity, is associated with adolescent
obesity, even in disadvantaged contexts, however, community
disadvantage moderates this relationship suggesting parental health
factors are less salient in terms of adolescent obesity when community
disadvantage is extreme. Strategies to reduce adolescent obesity should
consider level of community disadvantage to determine whether efforts
should target the community or family-level.
Okely, A. D., Hardy, L. L., Booth, M. L., Dobbins, T. A., Denney-Wilson, E. A., &
Yang, B. (2010). Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness among children and
adolescents in Australia: 1997 and 2004. Journal of Sports Sciences, 28(8), 851857.
In this paper, we describe changes in cardiorespiratory fitness among
children and adolescents in New South Wales, Australia from 1997 to
2004. Altogether, 4363 children and adolescents were surveyed in 1997
and 3720 were surveyed in 2004. Participants were randomly selected
from Grades 4 and 6 in primary school and Grades 8 and 10 in high
schools. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed on both occasions using
the 20-m shuttle run test. There was a very small, but statistically
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significant, increase in the median number of laps completed for primary
(P = 0.02) and high school girls (P = 0.02) and high school boys (P =
0.01); however, the prevalence of adequate cardiorespiratory fitness did
not change significantly from 1997 to 2004 for primary or high school boys
or girls. Cardiorespiratory fitness was higher among the most socially
advantaged boys and girls and this tertile also recorded the greatest
increases in all but one group. Over the period 1997 to 2004, the
prevalence of adequate cardiorespiratory fitness among students rose
slightly in general. It is concerning that the gap between low and high
socio-economic tertiles appears to have widened.
Salmon, J., Timperio, A., Chu, B., & Veitch, J. (2010). Dog Ownership, Dog
Walking, and Children's and Parents' Physical Activity. Research Quarterly for
Exercise and Sport, 81(3), 264-271.
This study aimed to determine cross-sectional associations of dog
ownership, dog walking, and physical activity (PA) among children and
their parents. Objective measures of PA were obtained for children ages
5-6 and 10-12 years from 19 primary schools across Melbourne, Australia.
Parents self-reported their PA, dog ownership, and frequency of dog
walking: 53% of families owned a dog, 41% of children who owned a dog
did not walk their dog at all, and 32% reported never or rarely walking their
dog as a family. Dog ownership was associated with an additional 29
min/day in PA among younger girls, and 70 and 59 min/week more in PA
among mothers of younger bays and older girls, respectively. Among
mothers of older girls, dog owners were 1.6 times as likely to meet PA
guidelines. Mothers with older boys and girls, and fathers with younger
boys, who reported walking the dog regularly as a family, spent more time
in PA (105,90, and 158 more min/week, respectively). Promoting dug
ownership and dog walking among children and as a family are potential
strategies for increasing PA participation in some families.
Silva, P., Sousa, M., Aires, L., Seabra, A., Ribeiro, J., Welk, G., et al. (2010).
Physical activity patterns in Portuguese adolescents: The contribution of
extracurricular sports. European Physical Education Review, 16(2), 171-181.
In Portugal, two sports systems exist, one through schools and the other
in community clubs. The purpose was to determine the impact of extracurricular sports (EC sports) on boys' and girls' moderate to vigorous
physical activity (MVPA). 208 adolescents (79 boys and 129 girls),
between 12 and 18 years old, wore an accelerometer over seven days.
Four EC sport categories based on reported involvement were: no sports,
school sports, club sports, both sports. Multivariable logistic regression
was used to study the association of EC sports, age, gender and BMI on
the adolescent's MVPA. The school sport context was more relevant for
girls than clubs sport; however the opposite pattern emerged for boys.
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BMI was not related to adolescent's MVPA. EC sports increase the
likelihood of achieving PA guidelines. The unique social and
environmental contexts of school and club sports deserve additional
attention in youth activity research.
Soren, K., & Jo, C. (2010). The prevalence of overweight and obesity among
Danish school children. Obesity Reviews, 11(7), 489-491.
P>In 14 Danish municipalities physicians have gathered weight and height
data from 7541 9th grade students (86.7% of all students in 9th grade
participating). Overall 25.2% of the population were overweight (body
mass index > 90th percentile). Boys were more frequently overweight than
girls (29.3% vs. 21.1%) (P < 0.05). 14.1% of the boys and 8.2% of the girls
were obese (body mass index > 97th percentile). Categorizing the
participating municipalities by socioeconomic status students in
municipalities with low status had a significantly higher prevalence of
overweight than students in municipalities with high status. Overweight
and obesity among Danish school children is a major concern and there
are significant social differences in the prevalence of overweight.
van der Horst, K., Oenema, A., te Velde, S. J., & Brug, J. (2010). Do individual
cognitions mediate the association of socio-cultural and physical environmental
factors with adolescent sports participation? Public Health Nutr, 13(10A), 17461754.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of perceived physical
environmental factors (availability of physical activity (PA) attributes at
home, PA facilities in the neighbourhood, neighbourhood pleasantness
and safety) and social environmental factors (parental sports behaviour
and parental rule regarding sports participation) with adolescent leisuretime sports participation, and to explore whether the associations found
were mediated by individual cognitions as derived from the theory of
planned behaviour (TPB). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: In
school-year 2005/2006 adolescents from seventeen schools in Rotterdam,
the Netherlands, completed a questionnaire during school hours that
included self-reported measures of leisure-time sports participation,
perceived physical environmental factors and TPB variables. Information
about parental sports behaviour and parental rule was obtained from a
questionnaire that was completed by one parent of the adolescents.
SUBJECTS: Data were collected from 584 adolescent-parent
combinations. RESULTS: Data were analysed with multi-level logistic
regression analyses. Availability of PA attributes at home (OR = 1.26),
parents' sports behaviour (OR = 2.03) and parental rule (OR = 1.64) were
associated with a higher likelihood of adolescents' leisure-time sports
participation. These associations were partly mediated by attitude and
intention. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents were more likely to engage in
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leisure-time sports when PA attributes were available at home, when
parents participated in sports activities and had a rule about their offspring
participation in sports activities. These associations were partly mediated
by attitude and intention. These results suggest that parents can
importantly promote sports participation among their offspring by making
sports activities accessible and a family routine.
Social Environment and Adult Physical Activity/Obesity
Alwan, H., Viswanathan, B., Williams, J., Paccaud, F., & Bovet, P. (2010).
Association between weight perception and socioeconomic status among adults
in the Seychelles. Bmc Public Health, 10.
Background: Few studies have examined the association between weight
perception and socioeconomic status (SES) in sub-Saharan Africa, and
none made this association based on education, occupation and income
simultaneously. Methods: Based on a population-based survey (n = 1255)
in the Seychelles, weight and height were measured and self-perception
of one's own body weight, education, occupation, and income were
assessed by a questionnaire. Individuals were considered to have
appropriate weight perception when their self-perceived weight matched
their actual body weight. Results: The prevalence of overweight and
obesity was 35% and 28%, respectively. Multivariate analysis among
overweight/obese persons showed that appropriate weight perception was
directly associated with actual weight, education, occupation and income,
and that it was more frequent among women than among men. In a model
using all three SES indicators together, only education (OR = 2.5; 95% CI:
1.3-4.8) and occupation (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2-4.5) were independently
associated with appropriate perception of being overweight. The OR
reached 6.9 [95% CI: 3.4-14.1] when comparing the highest vs. lowest
categories of SES based on a score including all SES indicators and 6.1
[95% CI: 3.0-12.1] for a score based on education and occupation.
Conclusions: Appropriately perceiving one's weight as too high was
associated with different SES indicators, female sex and being actually
overweight. These findings suggest means and targets for clinical and
population-based interventions for weight control. Further studies should
examine whether these differences in weight perception underlie
differences in cognitive skills, healthy weight norms, or body size ideals.
Brownson, R. C., Parra, D. C., Dauti, M., Harris, J. K., Hallal, P. C., Hoehner, C.,
et al. (2010). Assembling the Puzzle for Promoting Physical Activity in Brazil: A
Social Network Analysis. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7, S242-S252.
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Background: Physical inactivity is a significant public health problem in
Brazil that may be addressed by partnerships and networks. In
conjunction with Project GUIA (Guide for Useful Interventions for Physical
Activity in Brazil and Latin America), the aim of this study was to conduct a
social network analysis of physical activity in Brazil. Methods: An online
survey was completed by 28 of 35 organizations contacted from
December 2008 through March 2009. Network analytic methods examined
measures of collaboration, importance, leadership, and attributes of the
respondent and organization. Results: Leadership nominations for
organizations studied ranged from 0 to 23. Positive predictors of
collaboration included: south region, GUIA membership, years working in
physical activity, and research, education, and promotion/practice areas of
physical activity. The most frequently reported barrier to collaboration was
bureaucracy. Conclusion: Social network analysis identified factors that
are likely to improve collaboration among organizations in Brazil.
Coogan, P. F., Cozier, Y. C., Krishnan, S., Wise, L. A., Adams-Campbell, L. L.,
Rosenberg, L., et al. (2010). Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status in Relation to
10-Year Weight Gain in the Black Women's Health Study. Obesity, 18(10), 20642065.
We prospectively assessed the association of neighborhood
socioeconomic status (SES) with 10-year weight change and with incident
obesity among 48,359 women in the Black Women's Health Study
(BWHS). Lower neighborhood SES was significantly associated with 10year weight gain after adjustment for individual SES and behavioral
variables, such as physical activity and caloric intake. Low neighborhood
SES was also associated with increased incidence of obesity during 10
years of follow-up among women of normal weight at baseline (BMI < 25
kg/m(2)). The associations were most evident among BWHS participants
who had graduated from college. These prospective data suggest that
lower neighborhood SES contributes to overweight and obesity in AfricanAmerican women.
Fish, J. S., Ettner, S., Ang, A., & Brown, A. F. (2010). Association of perceived
neighborhood safety on body mass index. Am J Public Health, 100(11), 22962303.
OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether there is an association
between perceived neighborhood safety and body mass index (BMI),
accounting for endogeneity. METHODS: A random sample of 2255 adults
from the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey 2000-2001 was
analyzed using instrumental variables. The main outcome was BMI using
self-reported height and weight, and the main independent variable was
residents' report of their neighborhood safety. RESULTS: In adjusted
analyses, individuals who perceived their neighborhoods as unsafe had a
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BMI that was 2.81 kg/m(2) (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.11, 5.52)
higher than did those who perceived their neighborhoods as safe.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that clinical and public health
interventions aimed at reducing rates of obesity may be enhanced by
strategies to modify the physical and social environment that incorporate
residents' perceptions of their communities.
Krzyzanowska, M., & Umlawska, W. (2010). The relationship of Polish students'
height, weight and BMI with some socioeconomic variables. Journal of Biosocial
Science, 42(5), 643-652.
The aim of this study was to assess the variation in student body height,
weight and BM I in relation to several socioeconomic factors. Data
(collected in 1998) were obtained through a structured questionnaire from
2800 students (1023 men and 1777 women) from Wroclaw Universities,
Poland. Information on students' age, reported height and weight and their
place of residence prior to starting university, the number of siblings and
parents' education were collected. Students with mothers or fathers with
higher education had, on average, higher mean heights, but after
correcting for other socioeconomic variables only place of residence
showed a significant association with height and BMI, with those living in
medium or large urban centres having a higher mean height and those
living in small or medium urban areas having a lower mean BMI.
Molloy, G. J., Dixon, D., Hamer, M., & Sniehotta, F. F. (2010). Social support and
regular physical activity: does planning mediate this link? Br J Health Psychol,
15(Pt 4), 859-870.
OBJECTIVES: Social support for physical activity is reliably associated
with regular physical activity, however the social cognitive processes,
particularly post-intentional processes, that can explain this link have not
been well characterized. In this study, we examined the extent to which
the relationship between social support for physical activity and
subsequent physical activity can be accounted for by planning processes.
DESIGN AND METHOD: The design was prospective observational and
the sample consisted of 903 university students. Participants completed
standard theory of planned behaviour, planning, and physical activity
measures at 2 time points, approximately 7 weeks apart. A gender
stratified multiple mediation model was conducted to test the study
hypotheses. RESULTS: A significant interaction between social support
and gender was observed. This indicated that lower levels of social
support for physical activity were associated with lower levels of physical
activity at Time 2, for women only. In multiple mediation analysis, this was
partly explained by the indirect effects of social support through perceived
behavioural control and coping planning. CONCLUSION: These findings
highlight the importance of interpersonal processes in understanding the
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post-intentional social cognitive determinants of regular physical activity. It
is likely that planning processes relating to physical activity are often
influenced by those in the ongoing immediate social environment who
support this behaviour. Future development of theory and interventions
should take account of the socially interactive nature of planning
processes.
Oh, A. Y., Zenk, S. N., Wilbur, E., Block, R., McDevitt, J., & Wang, E. (2010).
Effects of Perceived and Objective Neighborhood Crime on Walking Frequency
Among Midlife African American Women in a Home-Based Walking Intervention.
Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7(4), 432-441.
Background: Crime may be a significant barrier to physical activity for
urban African American women, yet few studies have examined this
relationship in intervention studies. This study examines relationships
among neighborhood crime incidents, perceptions of crime and safety,
and adherence in a walking intervention among urban, midlife AfricanAmerican women. Methods: The sample includes 148 women living in the
City of Chicago. Violent crimes, disorder crimes, gun violence, and crimerelated safety were examined. Adherence to walking frequency was
measured as the percentage of recommended walks completed. Results:
Controlling for demographic characteristics and treatment group,
multivariate regression analyses showed walking adherence was not
associated with any of the crime measures or crime-related safety (R-2 =
0.130 to 0.147). The effect of enhanced treatment did not differ by levels
of objective or perceived neighborhood crime or safety. Weak to moderate
bivariate correlations were observed between objective crime measures
and perceived disorder crime and crime-related safety (r = 0.04 to 0.25).
Conclusions: Weak correlations between perceived and objective crime
measures suggest they are measuring different aspects of the crime
environment. Future studies should examine perceived and objective
measures in other populations and settings and other neighborhood social
factors which may moderate crime and safety effects on outcomes of
physical activity interventions.
Ortiz-Hernandez, L., & Ramos-Ibanez, N. (2010). Sociodemographic factors
associated with physical activity in Mexican adults. Public Health Nutrition, 13(7),
1131-1138.
Objective: To estimate the physical activity level among Mexican adults
and to establish the sociodemographic variables that may be linked to
active lifestyles. Design: Data from a cross-sectional survey were
analysed. Physical activity was assessed using the short version of the
International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The independent variables
were sex, age, socio-economic status and size of town. Ordinal regression
models were fitted to assess the association of physical activity levels with
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sociodemographic factors. Setting: Fieldwork was conducted from
November 2002 through April 2003; the non-response rate was 3.1%.
Subjects: Data from a national representative sample (n 38 746) of
Mexican adults aged >18 years old were analysed. Results: Almost 60%
of the population was classified into the high physical activity level.
Women were less active than men in rural areas; in urban areas, the
opposite trend was observed. In women, higher socio-economic status
was associated with less physical activity, while among men there were no
differences. People from rural and urban areas had a higher probability of
engaging in physical activity than those from cities. In urban localities and
cities, respondents of low socio-economic status had a lower probability of
engaging in physical activity. Conclusions: Using a validated instrument to
measure physical activity, we found that the prevalence of active lifestyle
among Mexican adults was high. The socioeconomic and gender
inequalities are different according to size of town (i.e. an effect modifier),
which must be considered in the design of policies and programmes to
promote physical activity.
Stafford, M., Brunner, E. J., Head, J., & Ross, N. A. (2010). Deprivation and the
Development of Obesity A Multilevel, Longitudinal Study in England. American
Journal of Preventive Medicine, 39(2), 130-139.
Background: Evidence indicates that the rising trend in overweight and
obesity may be stronger for people from more socioeconomically
advantaged backgrounds. Purpose: This study used longitudinal,
multilevel data to describe trajectories of BMI for people living in moreversus less-deprived neighborhoods. Methods: Data from 2501 women
and 5650 men in the Whitehall II study who were followed for up to 13
years from 1991 to 2004 were analyzed in 2009. BMI was measured on
up to three occasions by a trained nurse. The Townsend index of multiple
deprivation at census-ward level from the 1991 U.K. census captured
neighborhood deprivation. Growth curves summarized change in BMI for
men and women according to level of neighborhood deprivation, adjusted
for age, individual socioeconomic position (captured by civil service
employment grade), smoking status, alcohol intake, and physical activity
level. Results: Women who remained in the most-deprived neighborhoods
between 1991 and 2004 had higher initial BMI and greater weight gain.
Compared to those in the least-deprived neighborhoods, weight gain for a
woman of average height in one of the most-deprived neighborhoods was
1.0 kg more over 10 years. Neither BMI nor change in BMI in men was
associated with neighborhood deprivation. Conclusions: Whitehall II
provides longitudinal evidence of socioeconomic differences in weight gain
among middle-aged women, indicating that the neighborhood environment
makes a contribution to the development of overweight and obesity.
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Measurement
Aicken, C., Roberts, H., & Arai, L. (2010). Mapping service activity: the example
of childhood obesity schemes in England. Bmc Public Health, 10.
Background: Childhood obesity is high on the policy agenda of wealthier
nations, and many interventions have been developed to address it. This
work describes an overview of schemes for obese and overweight children
and young people in England, and the 'mapping' approach we used.
Methods: Our search strategy, inclusion criteria and coding frame had to
be suitable for describing a potentially large number of schemes within a
short timeframe. Data were collected from key informants, scheme
publicity and reports, and via a web-survey. To be included, schemes had
to be based in England, follow a structured programme lasting at least two
weeks, promote healthy weight, and be delivered exclusively to
overweight and/or obese children and young people (age range 4-18).
Data were entered into a coding frame recording similar information for
each scheme, including any underpinning research evidence, evaluation
or monitoring reports. Priority questions were identified in consultation with
colleagues from the Department of Health and the Cross Government
Obesity Unit. Results: Fifty-one schemes were identified. Some operated
in multiple areas, and by using estimates of the number of schemes
provided by multi-site scheme leads, we found that between 314 and 375
local programmes were running at any time. Uncertainty is largely due to
the largest scheme provider undergoing rapid expansion at the time of the
mapping exercise and therefore able to provide only an estimate of the
number of programmes running. Many schemes were similar in their
approach, had been recently established and were following NICE
guidelines on interventions to promote healthy weight. Rigorous evaluation
was rare. Conclusions: Our methods enabled us to produce a rapid
overview of service activity across a wide geographic area and a range of
organisations and sectors. In order to develop the evidence base for
childhood obesity interventions, rigorous evaluation of these schemes is
required. This overview can serve as a starting point for evaluations of
interventions to address obesity. More generally, a rapid and systematic
approach of this type is transferable to other types of service activity in
health and social care, and may be a tool to inform public health planning.
Badland, H. M., Duncan, M. J., Oliver, M., Duncan, J. S., & Mavoa, S. (2010).
Examining commute routes: applications of GIS and GPS technology.
Environmental Health & Preventive Medicine, 15(5), 327-330.
The application of geographic information systems (GIS) to describe
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commute route elements is commonplace, yet the accuracy of GISestimated commute routes is not clear. This study compared GISestimated commute routes against actual routes traveled as measured
using global positioning systems (GPS) to examine differences in urban
form surrounding travel routes across different buffer sizes and travel
modes. Thirty-seven adults from Auckland, New Zealand participated in
the study between January and March 2008. Participants wore GPS units
and completed a travel log for 7 days. GPS data were integrated into a
GIS database to ascertain commute routes. Overall, 29 commute journeys
were appropriately captured by GPS. Levels of agreement between actual
and shortest commute routes were dependent on the buffer size selected,
built environment variable examined, and travel mode. Despite technical
difficulties, GPS assessment of routes traveled is recommended to
provide an accurate assessment of commute journey urban form
elements.
Blunt, G. H., & Hallam, J. S. (2010). The Worksite Supportive Environments for
Active Living Survey: Development and Psychometric Properties. American
Journal of Health Promotion, 25(1), 48-57.
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to develop a self-report
instrument to measure perceived physical and social environmental
factors in the worksite setting that are shown to influence physical activity.
Design. Initial items were generated from a review of the literature and
were sent out for peer and expert panel review. A revised questionnaire
was sent to 1250 participants to determine and test the emerging factor
structure. Setting. The instrument was tested at two worksites in the midSouth. Participants. Participants consisted of a random sample of regular
full-time employees at the two worksites. Measures. Principal axis
factoring with a varimax rotation was used to explore the data in the first
group of participants. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the fit
of the final model in the second group of participants. Measures used
included the comparative fit index, parsimony goodness of fit index, root
mean square error of approximation, and the root mean square residual.
Results. The final analysis showed an adequate fit of the data to the
hypothesized factor structure (n = 683). The instrument showed good
internal consistency, temporal stability, construct reliability, and
discriminant validity. Conclusion. The Worksite Supportive Environments
for Active Living Survey is a reliable and valid tool for investigating
perception of the worksite environment related to physical activity.
Cerin, E., Sit, C. H. P., Cheung, M. C., Ho, S. Y., Lee, L. C. J., & Chan, W. M.
(2010). Reliable and valid NEWS for Chinese seniors: measuring perceived
neighborhood attributes related to walking. International Journal of Behavioral
Nutrition and Physical Activity, 7.
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Background: The effects of the built environment on walking in seniors
have not been studied in an Asian context. To examine these effects, valid
and reliable measures are needed. The aim of this study was to develop
and validate a questionnaire of perceived neighborhood characteristics
related to walking appropriate for Chinese seniors (Neighborhood
Environment Walkability Scale for Chinese Seniors, NEWS-CS). It was
based on the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale - Abbreviated
(NEWS-A), a validated measure of perceived built environment developed
in the USA for adults. A secondary study aim was to establish the
generalizability of the NEWS-A to an Asian high-density urban context and
a different age group. Methods: A multidisciplinary panel of experts
adapted the original NEWS-A to reflect the built environment of Hong
Kong and needs of seniors. The translated instrument was pre-tested on a
sample of 50 Chinese-speaking senior residents (65+ years). The final
version of the NEWS-CS was interviewer-administered to 484 seniors
residing in four selected Hong Kong districts varying in walkability and
socio-economic status. Ninety-two participants completed the
questionnaire on two separate occasions, 2-3 weeks apart. Test-rest
reliability indices were estimated for each item and subscale of the NEWSCS. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to develop the measurement
model of the NEWS-CS and cross-validate that of the NEWS-A. Results:
The final version of the NEWS-CS consisted of 14 subscales and four
single items (76 items). Test-retest reliability was moderate to good (ICC >
50 or % agreement > 60) except for four items measuring distance to
destinations. The originally-proposed measurement models of the NEWSA and NEWS-CS required 2-3 theoretically-justifiable modifications to fit
the data well. Conclusions: The NEWS-CS possesses sufficient levels of
reliability and factorial validity to be used for measuring perceived
neighborhood environment in Chinese seniors. Further work is needed to
assess its construct validity and generalizability to other Asian locations. In
general, the measurement model of the original NEWS-A was
generalizable to this study context, supporting the feasibility of crosscountry and age-group comparisons of the effect of the neighborhood
environment on walking using the NEWS-A as a tool to measure the
perceived built environment.
Cheadle, A., Samuels, S. E., Rauzon, S., Yoshida, S. C., Schwartz, P. M., Boyle,
M., et al. (2010). Approaches to Measuring the Extent and Impact of
Environmental Change in Three California Community-Level Obesity Prevention
Initiatives. American Journal of Public Health, 100(11), 2129-2136.
Despite growing support among public health researchers and
practitioners for environmental approaches to obesity prevention, there is
a lack of empirical evidence from intervention studies showing a favorable
impact of either increased healthy food availability on healthy eating or
changes in the built environment on physical activity. It is therefore critical
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that we carefully evaluate initiatives targeting the community environment
to expand the evidence base for environmental interventions. We describe
the approaches used to measure the extent and impact of environmental
change in 3 community-level obesity prevention initiatives in California.
We focus on measuring changes in the community environment and
assessing the impact of those changes on residents most directly exposed
to the interventions.
Fuller, D. L., Muhajarine, N., Cities, S., & Healthy Kids Res, T. (2010).
Replication of the Neighborhood Active Living Potential Measure in Saskatoon,
Canada. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 39(4), 364-367.
Background: Few neighborhood observational measures have been
replicated by separate research teams in different cities. Purpose: This
study replicates the neighborhood active living potential observation
measure in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Methods: Observers (n =
5) participated in a 3-day neighborhood active living potential training
session. Observers rated 60 neighborhoods in Saskatoon during the
summer of 2009 by following a predetermined walking route constructed
by joining ten randomly selected street segments for each neighborhood.
Pairs of observers independently rated neighborhoods using an 18-item
observation grid. Items represented three a priori-defined domains of
active living potential: activity friendliness (six items); safety (four items);
and density of destinations (eight items). Data analysis was conducted in
autumn 2009. Results: Application of ecometric multilevel modeling
analyses showed that once inter-item and inter-observer variability were
statistically controlled, one third of the variability in observations was
among neighborhoods. Reliability estimates for observers were 0.84 for
items measuring activity friendliness, 0.82 for safety, and 0.91 for density
of destinations. Convergent validity showed that neighborhood income
was associated negatively with density of destinations, positively with
safety, and not associated with activity friendliness. Percentage of people
in the neighborhood walking to work was positively associated with density
of destinations and not associated with safety or activity friendliness.
Conclusions: Results replicate findings from Montreal, Canada, that the
three dimensions of the neighborhood active living potential measure have
good reliability and convergent validity. Neighborhood active living
potential appears to be a stable measure capturing three essential
elements of neighborhoods.
Jones, N. R., Jones, A., van Sluijs, E. M. F., Panter, J., Harrison, F., & Griffin, S.
J. (2010). School environments and physical activity: The development and
testing of an audit tool. Health & Place, 16(5), 776-783.
The aim of this study was to develop, test, and employ an audit tool to
objectively assess the opportunities for physical activity within school
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environments A 44 item tool was developed and tested at 92 primary
schools in the county of Norfolk, England, during summer term of 2007.
Scores from the tool covering 6 domains of facility provision were
examined against objectively measured hourly moderate to vigorous
physical activity levels in 1868 9-10 year old pupils attending the schools.
The tool was found to have acceptable reliability and good construct
validity, differentiating the physical activity levels of children attending the
highest and lowest scoring schools The characteristics of school grounds
may influence pupil's physical activity levels
Jones-Smith, J. C., & Popkin, B. M. (2010). Understanding community context
and adult health changes in China: development of an urbanicity scale. Soc Sci
Med, 71(8), 1436-1446.
The classification of places as either urban or rural is typically based on an
absolute threshold of population and/or population density. However,
conceptual definitions of urbanization and urbanicity encompass
dimensions beyond solely population size and population density. Multiple
important distinguishing urban characteristics beyond population size have
been described. The crude classification of places as urban or rural
coupled with infrequent updates to this information creates a measure that
is prone to misclassification error. An improved measure of urbanicity
would draw information from the domains that characterize urban and
rural places, would be sensitive to changes over time, and would
represent gradations on the continuum from rural to urban environments.
The goal of the current study was to develop such a scale from existing
data, test whether the scale was reliable and valid, and assess whether it
provided information beyond what could be determined from the traditional
urban/rural dichotomous variable. We utilized established scaling
procedures from the psychometric literature to construct and evaluate a
multicomponent scale to measure urban features on a continuum in
China. We also provided an example of its potential contribution to health
research by examining its relationship with the adult body mass index
(BMI). Because the scale was constructed and tested using established
scaling procedures and using a wide array of variables, it represents an
improvement over previous attempts at such a scale and will provide a
reliable and valid measurement tool for researchers in this arena. We
demonstrate that the scale predicts the incidence of overweight/obesity
populations in China, but it promises to be most useful for other economic,
demographic, social welfare, and health outcomes.
Mendoza, J. A., Watson, K., Baranowski, T., Nicklas, T. A., Uscanga, D. K., &
Hanfling, M. J. (2010). Validity of instruments to assess students' travel and
pedestrian safety. Bmc Public Health, 10.
Background: Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs are designed to
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make walking and bicycling to school safe and accessible for children.
Despite their growing popularity, few validated measures exist for
assessing important outcomes such as type of student transport or
pedestrian safety behaviors. This research validated the SRTS school
travel survey and a pedestrian safety behavior checklist. Methods: Fourth
grade students completed a brief written survey on how they got to school
that day with set responses. Test-retest reliability was obtained 3-4 hours
apart. Convergent validity of the SRTS travel survey was assessed by
comparison to parents' report. For the measure of pedestrian safety
behavior, 10 research assistants observed 29 students at a school
intersection for completion of 8 selected pedestrian safety behaviors.
Reliability was determined in two ways: correlations between the research
assistants' ratings to that of the Principal Investigator (PI) and intraclass
correlations (ICC) across research assistant ratings. Results: The SRTS
travel survey had high test-retest reliability (kappa = 0.97, n = 96, p <
0.001) and convergent validity (kappa = 0.87, n = 81, p < 0.001). The
pedestrian safety behavior checklist had moderate reliability across
research assistants' ratings (ICC = 0.48) and moderate correlation with the
PI (r = 0.55, p =< 0.01). When two raters simultaneously used the
instrument, the ICC increased to 0.65. Overall percent agreement (91%),
sensitivity (85%) and specificity (83%) were acceptable. Conclusions:
These validated instruments can be used to assess SRTS programs. The
pedestrian safety behavior checklist may benefit from further formative
work.
Oliver, M., Badland, H., Mavoa, S., Duncan, M. J., & Duncan, S. (2010).
Combining GPS, GIS, and Accelerometry: Methodological Issues in the
Assessment of Location and Intensity of Travel Behaviors. Journal of Physical
Activity & Health, 7(1), 102-108.
Background: Global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information
systems (GIS), and accelerometers are powerful tools to explain activity
within a built environment, yet little integration of these tools has taken
place. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of combining GPS, GIS,
and accelerometry to understand transport-related physical activity (TPA)
in adults. Methods: Forty adults wore an accelerometer and portable GPS
unit over 7 consecutive days and completed a demographics
questionnaire and 7-day travel log. Accelerometer and GPS data were
extracted for commutes to/from workplace and integrated into a GIS
database. GIS maps were generated to visually explore physical activity
intensity, GPS speeds and routes traveled. Results: GPS, accelerometer,
and survey data were collected for 37 participants. Loss of GPS data was
substantial due to a range of methodological issues, such as low battery
life, signal drop out, and participant noncompliance. Nonetheless, greater
travel distances and significantly higher speeds were observed for
motorized trips when compared with TPA. Conclusions: Pragmatic issues
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of using GPS monitoring to understand TPA behaviors and
methodological recommendations for future research were identified.
Although methodologically challenging, the combination of GPS
monitoring, accelerometry and GIS technologies holds promise for
understanding TPA within the built environment.
Ridgers, N. D., Stratton, G., & McKenzie, T. L. (2010). Reliability and Validity of
the System for Observing Children's Activity and Relationships During Play
(SOCARP). Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7(1), 17-25.
Background: Children frequently engage in diverse activities that are
broadly defined as play, but little research has documented children's
activity levels during play and how they are influenced by social contexts.
Assessing potentially modifiable conditions that influence play behavior is
needed to design optimal physical activity interventions. Methods: System
for Observing Children's Activity and Relationships during Play (SOCARP)
was developed to simultaneously assess children's physical activity, social
group sizes, activity type, and social behavior during play. One hundred
and fourteen children (48 boys, 66 girls; 42% overweight) from 8
elementary schools were observed during recess over 24 days, with 12
days videotaped for reliability purposes. Ninety-nine children wore a uniaxial accelerometer during their observation period. Results: Estimated
energy expenditure rates from SOCARP observations and mean
accelerometer counts were significantly correlated (r = .67; P < .01), and
interobserver reliabilities (ie, percentage agreement) for activity level
(89%), group size (88%), activity type (90%) and interactions (88%) met
acceptable criteria. Both physical activity and social interactions were
influenced by group size, activity type, and child gender and body weight
status. Conclusions: SOCARP is a valid and reliable observation system
for assessing physical activity and play behavior in a recess context.
Riley-Jacome, M., Gallant, M. P., Fisher, B. D., Gotcsik, F. S., & Strogatz, D. S.
(2010). Enhancing Community Capacity to Support Physical Activity: The
Development of a Community-Based Indoor-Outdoor Walking Program. Journal
of Primary Prevention, 31(1-2), 85-95.
The University at Albany Prevention Research Center, guided by a needs
assessment in two underserved communities (one urban, one rural),
initiated a pilot project that opened a public school for community walking
in a rural setting. This study examined a 9-week program for potential
barriers, benefits, influential factors, and the physical activity levels of
program participants. Evaluation was based on daily logs, pedometer
diaries, participant surveys, and focus groups. Results indicated that rural
schools provide a useful resource for residents and increase participants'
physical activity levels. A more comprehensive rural community walking
program has been implemented as a result of these findings.
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Sallis, J. F. (2010). Measuring Physical Activity: Practical Approaches for
Program Evaluation in Native American Communities. Journal of Public Health
Management and Practice, 16(5), 404-410.
Promoting physical activity is a high priority in the United States,
especially for Native American populations, due to very high rates of
inactivity-related chronic diseases. High-quality physical activity measures
can contribute to achieving health goals. Measuring a sample of the
population can identify high-risk subgroups and geographic locations that
can be targeted for interventions. Outcomes of physical activity
interventions should be evaluated because this is the only way to
determine whether they are effective. Three types of measures are
practical for use in nonresearch settings, although they still present
challenges. First, self-reports are commonly used; they are low-cost but
the least accurate. Second, objective monitors such as pedometers,
accelerometers, and heart rate monitors can provide accurate information,
but resources and expertise are needed to collect and manage data.
Third, direct observation can be used to evaluate school physical
education programs and assess how people are using parks and other
physical activity facilities. Studies of Native American populations have
used a variety of measures. Good evaluations can lead to program
improvements, documenting positive results can attract funding to
continue and expand programs, and communicating results can persuade
other communities to adopt effective approaches. Program evaluations
using quality physical activity measures can contribute to achieving the
goal of improved health in Native American communities.
Sallis, J. F., Kerr, J., Carlson, J. A., Norman, G. J., Saelens, B. E., Durant, N., et
al. (2010). Evaluating a Brief Self-Report Measure of Neighborhood
Environments for Physical Activity Research and Surveillance: Physical Activity
Neighborhood Environment Scale (PANES). Journal of Physical Activity &
Health, 7(4), 533-540.
Background: Neighborhood environment attributes of walkability and
access to recreation facilities have been related to physical activity and
weight status, but most self-report environment measures are lengthy. The
17-item PANES (Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale) was
developed to be comprehensive but brief enough for use in multipurpose
surveys. The current study evaluated test-retest and alternate-form
reliability of PANES items compared with multi-item subscales from the
longer NEWS-A (Neighborhood Environment Walkability ScaleAbbreviated). Methods: Participants were 291 adults recruited from
neighborhoods that varied in walkability in 3 US cities. Surveys were
completed twice with a 27-day interval. Results: Test-retest ICCs for
PANES items ranged from .52 to .88. Spearman correlations for the
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PANES single item vs NEWS-A subscale comparisons ranged from .27 to
.81 (all P < .01). Conclusions: PANES items related to land use mix,
residential density, pedestrian infrastructure, aesthetic qualities, and
safety from traffic and crime were supported by correlations with NEWS-A
subscales. Access to recreation facilities and street connectivity items
were not supported. The brevity of PANES allows items to be included in
studies or surveillance systems to expand knowledge about neighborhood
environments.
Community Interventions
Aboelata, M. J., & Navarro, A. M. (2010). Emerging Issues in Improving Food
and Physical Activity Environments: Strategies for Addressing Land Use,
Transportation, and Safety in 3 California-Wide Initiatives. American Journal of
Public Health, 100(11), 2146-2148.
Mounting research has suggested linkages between neighborhood safety,
community design, and transportation patterns and eating and activity
behaviors and health outcomes. On the basis of a review of evaluation
findings from 3 multisite healthy eating and activity initiatives in California,
we provide an overview of 3 community process strategies--engaging
local advocates, linking safety to health, and collaborating with local
government officials--that may be associated with the successful
development and implementation of long-term community improvement
efforts and should be explored further.
Barkin, S. L., Gesell, S. B., Poe, E. K., & Ip, E. H. (2010). Changing Overweight
Latino Preadolescent Body Mass Index: The Effect of the Parent-Child Dyad.
Clinical Pediatrics, 50(1), 29-36.
Background: Latino children are disproportionately burdened by obesity.
Objective: To assess whether body mass index (BMI) change in
preadolescents reflected that of their participating parent. Methods: A total
of 72 Latino overweight/obese preadolescents (BMI >= 85%) and a parent
participated in a randomized controlled trial. The intervention group
received 5 monthly 60-minute sessions at a recreation center (group
physical activity, goal setting). The control group received 2 standard-ofcare clinic visits plus a group discussion. Results: Between baseline and
6-month follow-up, 47% of children (mean change = -0.37, SD = 2.48) and
63% of parents (mean change = -0.88, SD = 3.53) decreased their BMI.
Parent-child dyad BMI change was significantly correlated (r=.53, P=.001).
In linear modeling, those preadolescents in the control group were more
likely to lose absolute BMI units (-0.96, P=.03); whereas those who had
parents who gained BMI over the time interval were more likely to
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increase their BMI (0.17, P=.008). Conclusions: Obesity interventions
should focus on the parent-child dyad.
Brink, L. A., Nigg, C. R., Lampe, S. M. R., Kingston, B. A., Mootz, A. L., & van
Vliet, W. (2010). Influence of Schoolyard Renovations on Children's Physical
Activity: The Learning Landscapes Program. American Journal of Public Health,
100(9), 1672-1678.
Objectives. We examined whether schoolyard improvements led to
increased physical activity levels among both boys and girls and assessed
the aspects of schoolyard design that have an impact on physical activity.
Methods. In a quasi-experimental research design, 6 schools with
renovated schoolyards and 3 control schools were divided into activity
areas. We calculated measures of children's physical activity by area
during school hours as well as after-school hours. Results. The volume of
schoolyard use was significantly higher at schools with renovated
schoolyards than at control schools, and students were significantly more
active at these schools. Also, activity levels were significantly higher
among both boys and girls in certain schoolyard areas, such as those with
soft surfaces. Conclusions. Because few public elementary schools in the
United States provide daily physical education or its equivalent for all
students throughout the school year, noncurriculum approaches to
increasing children's physical activity are important. Renovated
schoolyards increase the number of children who are physically active, as
well as their overall activity levels, and reduce sedentary behaviors.
Bryant, C. A., Courtney, A. H., McDermott, R. J., Alfonso, M. L., Baldwin, J. A.,
Nickelson, J., et al. (2010). Promoting Physical Activity Among Youth Through
Community-Based Prevention Marketing. Journal of School Health, 80(5), 214224.
BACKGROUND: Community-based prevention marketing (CBPM) is a
program planning framework that blends community-organizing principles
with a social marketing mind-set to design, implement, and evaluate public
health interventions. A community coalition used CBPM to create a
physical activity promotion program for tweens (youth 9–13 years of
age) called VERBâ„¢ Summer Scorecard. Based on the national VERBâ„¢
media campaign, the program offered opportunities for tweens to try new
types of physical activity during the summer months. METHODS: The
VERBâ„¢ Summer Scorecard was implemented and monitored between
2004 and 2007 using the 9-step CBPM framework. Program performance
was assessed through in-depth interviews and a school-based survey of
youth. RESULTS: The CBPM process and principles used by school and
community personnel to promote physical activity among tweens are
presented. Observed declines may become less steep if school officials
adopt a marketing mind-set to encourage youth physical activity:
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deemphasizing health benefits but promoting activity as something fun
that fosters spending time with friends while trying and mastering new
skills. CONCLUSIONS: Community-based programs can augment and
provide continuity to school-based prevention programs to increase
physical activity among tweens.
Chomitz, V. R., McGowan, R. J., Wendel, J. M., Williams, S. A., Cabral, H. J.,
King, S. E., et al. (2010). Healthy Living Cambridge Kids: A Community-based
Participatory Effort to Promote Healthy Weight and Fitness. Obesity (19307381),
18, S45-S53.
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a communitybased healthy weight intervention on child weight and fitness. Cambridge
Public Schools (CPS) have monitored BMI and fitness annually since
2000. Annual increases of overweight and obesity from 2000 (37.0%) to
2004 (39.1%), triggered a multidisciplinary team of researchers,
educators, health care, and public health professionals to mobilize
environmental and policy interventions. Guided by the social-ecological
model and community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles, the
team developed and implemented Healthy Living Cambridge Kids (HLCK),
a multicomponent intervention targeting community, school, family, and
individuals. The intervention included city policies and community
awareness campaigns; physical education (PE) enhancements, food
service reforms, farm-to-school-to-home programs; and family outreach
and “BMI and fitness reports―. Baseline (2004) to follow-up (2007)
evaluation design assessed change in children’s weight and fitness
status. A cohort of 1,858 K-5th grade children participated: 37.3% black,
14.0% Hispanic, 37.1% white, 10.2% Asian, 1.7% other race; 43.3% were
lower income. BMI z-score (0.67–0.63 P < 0.001) and proportion obese
(20.2–18.0% P < 0.05) decreased, and mean number of fitness tests
(0–5) passed increased (3.7–3.9 P < 0.001). Whereas black and
Hispanic children were more likely to be obese at baseline (27.0 and
28.5%, respectively) compared with white (12.6%) and Asian (14.3%)
children, obesity among all race/ethnicity groups declined. Concurrent with
a 3-year community intervention, modest improvements in obesity and
fitness were observed among CPS children from baseline to follow-up.
The CBPR approach facilitated sustaining policies and program elements
postintervention in this diverse community. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR
De Cocker, K. A., De Bourdeaudhuij, I. M., & Cardon, G. M. (2010). The effect of
a multi-strategy workplace physical activity intervention promoting pedometer use
and step count increase. Health Education Research, 25(4), 608-619.
Pedometer use and step count goals have become popular in physical
activity (PA) interventions in different settings. Previous pedometer-based
workplace interventions were short term, uncontrolled and executed
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outside Europe. This European quasi-experimental study evaluated the
effects of a 20-week pedometer-based PA workplace intervention.
Pedometer-based and self-reported PA from one intervention worksite (68
participants at follow-up) was compared with the data of a comparison
workplace (79 participants at follow-up). A downward trend in overall step
counts from baseline (end of summer) to follow-up (winter) was found (F =
3.3, P = 0.071). However, the intervention effect revealed a significant
smaller decrease in the intervention workplace (-618 steps/day) than in
the comparison workplace (-1389 steps/day) (F = 8.8, P = 0.004). This
intervention effect was only present in already active participants, reaching
10 000 steps/day at baseline (intervention participants: -1706 steps/day;
comparison participants: -4006 steps/day) (F = 5.5, P = 0.023). Overall
project awareness was very high (97%) and the intervention strategies
were judged 'good to very good' by 57-95% of the participants. However,
the proportion of intervention participants reporting that they had changed
their PA behavior because of the intervention (31%) and reporting that
they had used the pedometer during the intervention (48%) was limited.
Future workplace projects should give extra attention to inactive
employees.
De Meij, J. S. B., Chinapaw, M. J. M., Kremers, S. P. J., Van der Wal, M. F.,
Jurg, M. E., & Van Mechelen, W. (2010). Promoting physical activity in children:
the stepwise development of the primary school-based JUMP-in intervention
applying the RE-AIM evaluation framework. British Journal of Sports Medicine,
44(12), 879-887.
Background There is a lack of effective intervention strategies that
promote physical activity (PA) in school children. Furthermore, there is a
gap between PA intervention research and the delivery of programmes in
practice. Evaluation studies seldom lead to adaptations in interventions
that are subsequently evaluated by implementation on a wider scale. The
stepwise development and study of JUMP-in aims to add knowledge to
better understand how, when and for whom intervention effects (or lack of
effects) occur. Methods This paper describes the stepwise development of
JUMP-in, a Dutch school-based multi-level intervention programme, aimed
at the promotion of PA behaviour in 6-12-year-old children. JUMP-in
incorporates education, sports, care and policy components. JUMP-in
consists of six programme components: 1. Pupil Follow-up Monitoring
System; 2. School sports clubs; 3. In-class exercises with "The Class
Moves!"; 4. Personal workbook "This is the way you mover; 5. Parental
Information Services; 6. Extra lessons in physical education, Motor
Remedial Teaching and extra care. The process and effect outcomes of a
pilot study were translated into an improved programme and intervention
organisation, using the RE-AIM framework (Reach, Efficacy, Adoption,
Implementation and Maintenance). This paper presents the process and
results of the application of this framework, which resulted in a wide-scale
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implementation of JUMP-in. Results The application of the RE-AIM
framework resulted in challenges and remedies for an improved JUMP-in
intervention. The remedies required changes at three different levels: (1)
the content of the programme components; (2) the organisation and
programme management; and (3) the evaluation design. Conclusions
Considering factors that determine the impact of PA interventions in 'real
life' is of great importance. The RE-AIM framework appeared to be a
useful guide by which process and effect outcomes could be translated
into an improved programme content and organisation.
Hoehner, C. M., Brownson, R. C., Allen, D., Gramann, J., Behrens, T. K., Floyd,
M. F., et al. (2010). Parks Promoting Physical Activity: Synthesis of Findings
From Interventions in Seven National Parks. Journal of Physical Activity &
Health, 7, S67-S81.
Background: We synthesized the results of 7 National Park Service pilot
interventions designed to increase awareness of the health benefits from
participation in recreation at national parks and to increase physical
activity by park visitors Methods: A content analysis was conducted of the
final evaluation reports of the 7 participating parks Pooled data were also
analyzed from a standardized trail-intercept survey administered in 3
parks. Results: The theme of new and diverse partnerships was the most
common benefit reported across the 7 sites. The 2 parks that focused on
youth showed evidence of an increase in awareness of the benefits of
physical activity Many of the other sites found high levels of awareness at
baseline (approaching 90%), suggesting little room for improvement. Five
of the 7 projects showed evidence of an increase in physical activity that
was associated with the intervention activities. Multivariate analyses
suggested that the media exposure contributed to a small but significant
increase in awareness of the importance of physical activity (6%) and
number of active visits (7%). Conclusions: Enhancements and replication
of these programs represents a promising opportunity for improving
partnerships between public health and recreation to increase physical
activity.
Kerr, J., Norman, G. J., Adams, M. A., Ryan, S., Frank, L., Sallis, J. F., et al.
(2010). Do neighborhood environments moderate the effect of physical activity
lifestyle interventions in adults? Health & Place, 16(5), 903-908.
This study builds upon the current literature investigating the relationship
between individuals' physical activity and the built environment This
prospective study of two lifestyle interventions in adults explores the
moderating effect of the built environment measured both objectively and
by self-report. Results show that overweight men in an intervention group
increased their walking significantly more if they lived in less walkable
neighborhoods Overweight women were more likely to increase their
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physical activity over time if they perceived better safety from traffic. This
study suggests that psychosocial interventions can help men overcome
environmental barriers to walking
Kong, A. S., Burks, N., Conklin, C., Roldan, C., Skipper, B., Scott, S., et al.
(2010). A pilot walking school bus program to prevent obesity in Hispanic
elementary school children: role of physician involvement with the school
community. Clin Pediatr (Phila), 49(10), 989-991.
Mathews, L. B., Moodie, M. M., Simmons, A. M., & Swinburn, B. A. (2010). The
process evaluation of It's Your Move!, an Australian adolescent communitybased obesity prevention project. Bmc Public Health, 10, 1-13.
Background: Evidence on interventions for preventing unhealthy weight
gain in adolescents is urgently needed. The aim of this paper is to
describe the process evaluation for a three-year (2005-2008) project
conducted in five secondary schools in the East Geelong/Bellarine region
of Victoria, Australia. The project, 'It's Your Move!' aimed to reduce
unhealthy weight gain by promoting healthy eating patterns, regular
physical activity, healthy body weight, and body size perception amongst
youth; and improve the capacity of families, schools, and community
organisations to sustain the promotion of healthy eating and physical
activity in the region. Methods: The project was supported by Deakin
University (training and evaluation), a Reference Committee (strategic
direction, budgetary approval and monitoring) and a Project Management
Committee (project delivery). A workshop of students, teachers and other
stakeholders formulated a 10-point action plan, which was then translated
into strategies and initiatives specific to each school by the School Project
Officers (staff members released from teaching duties one day per week)
and trained Student Ambassadors. Baseline surveys informed intervention
development. Process data were collected on all intervention activities and
these were collated and enumerated, where possible, into a set of
mutually exclusive tables to demonstrate the types of strategies and the
dose, frequency and reach of intervention activities. Results: The action
plan included three guiding objectives, four on nutrition, two on physical
activity and one on body image. The process evaluation data showed that
a mix of intervention strategies were implemented, including social
marketing, one-off events, lunch time and curriculum programs,
improvements in infrastructure, and healthy school food policies. The
majority of the interventions were implemented in schools and focused on
capacity building and healthy eating strategies as physical activity
practices were seen by the teachers as already meeting students' needs.
Conclusions: While substantial health-promoting activities were conducted
(especially related to healthy eating), there remain further opportunities for
secondary schools to use a whole-of-school approach through the school
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curriculum, environment, policies and ethos to improve healthy eating,
physical activity and healthy body perceptions in youth. To achieve this,
significant, sustained leadership will be required within the education
sector generally and within schools specifically.
Muller-Riemenschneider, F., Nocon, M., Reinhold, T., & Willich, S. N. (2010).
Promotion of Physical Activity Using Point-of-Decision Prompts in Berlin
Underground Stations. International Journal of Environmental Research and
Public Health, 7(8), 3063-3070.
To evaluate point-of-decision prompts in the promotion of stair use in
Germany, motivational posters were placed at three underground stations
in Berlin. The proportion of passengers using stairs or stairways was
counted before, during installation, and two weeks after removal of
posters. In total, 5,467 passersby were counted. Stair use increased
significantly in women, but not in men. The present pilot study thereby
shows that the use of point-of-decision prompts is also feasible in
Germany and it provides some evidence of effectiveness.
Methodologically rigorous studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Parra, D. C., McKenzie, T. L., Ribeiro, I. C., Ferreira Hino, A. A., Dreisinger, M.,
Coniglio, K., et al. (2010). Assessing physical activity in public parks in Brazil
using systematic observation. Am J Public Health, 100(8), 1420-1426.
OBJECTIVES: We assessed park use in Recife, Brazil, and differences in
physical activity and occupation rates in public parks with and without the
Academia da Cidade Program (ACP), which provides cost-free,
supervised physical activity classes. METHODS: We used the System for
Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) in 128
targeted areas in 10 park sites (5 ACP sites, 5 non-ACP sites) to obtain
data on the number of users and their physical activity levels and
estimated age. Each area was assessed 4 times a day for 11 days over a
4-week period. RESULTS: A total of 32 974 people were observed during
5589 observation visits to target areas. People using ACP parks were
more likely to be seen engaging in moderate-to-vigorous (64% vs 49%)
and vigorous (25% vs 10%) physical activity. Relatively more participants
in ACP sites than in non-ACP sites were females (45% vs 42% of park
users) and older adults (14.7% vs 5.7% of park users). CONCLUSIONS:
On the basis of systematic observation, ACP appears to be a useful
strategy in promoting park use and physical activity among the population
in Recife.
Prins, R. G., van Empelen, P., Beenackers, M. A., Brug, J., & Oenema, A.
(2010). Systematic Development of the YouRAction program, a computertailored Physical Activity promotion intervention for Dutch adolescents, targeting
personal motivations and environmental opportunities. Bmc Public Health, 10.
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Background: Increasing physical activity (PA) among adolescents is an
important health promotion goal. PA has numerous positive health effects,
but the majority of Dutch adolescents do not meet PA requirements. The
present paper describes the systematic development of a theory-based
computer-tailored intervention, YouRAction, which targets individual and
environmental factors determining PA among adolescents. Design: The
intervention development was guided by the Intervention Mapping
protocol, in order to define clear program objectives, theoretical methods
and practical strategies, ensure systematic program planning and pilottesting, and anticipate on implementation and evaluation. Two versions of
YouRAction were developed: one that targets individual determinants and
an extended version that also provides feedback on opportunities to be
active in the neighbourhood. Key determinants that were targeted
included: knowledge and awareness, attitudes, self-efficacy and subjective
norms. The extended version also addressed perceived availability of
neighbourhood PA facilities. Both versions aimed to increase levels of
moderate-to-vigorous PA among adolescents. The intervention structure
was based on self-regulation theory, comprising of five steps in the
process of successful goal pursuit. Monitoring of PA behaviour and
behavioural and normative feedback were used to increase awareness of
PA behaviour; motivation was enhanced by targeting self-efficacy and
attitudes, by means of various interactive strategies, such as web movies;
the perceived environment was targeted by visualizing opportunities to be
active in an interactive geographical map of the home environment; in the
goal setting phase, the adolescents were guided in setting a goal and
developing an action plan to achieve this goal; in the phase of active goal
pursuit adolescents try to achieve their goal and in the evaluation phase
the achievements are evaluated. Based on the results of the evaluation
adolescents could revise their goal or choose another behaviour to focus
on. The intervention is delivered in a classroom setting in three lessons.
YouRAction will be evaluated in a cluster-randomized trial, with classes as
unit of randomization. Evaluation will focus on PA outcomes, cognitive
mediators/moderators and process measures. Discussion: The planned
development of YouRAction resulted in two computer-tailored
interventions aimed at the promotion of PA in a Dutch secondary school
setting.
Reis, R. S., Hallal, P. C., Parra, D. C., Ribeiro, I. C., Brownson, R. C., Pratt, M.,
et al. (2010). Promoting Physical Activity Through Community-Wide Policies and
Planning: Findings From Curitiba, Brazil. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7,
S137-S145.
Background: Community programs have been suggested to be an
important and promising strategy for physical activity (PA) promotion.
Limited evidence is available regarding knowledge of and participation in
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these programs in Latin America. Objective: To describe participation in
and knowledge of community PA programs and to explore associations
with leisure-time PA in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. Methods: A cross
sectional telephone survey was conducted among adults in Curitiba, Brazil
(n = 2097). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to
determine levels of PA, and specific questions were used to evaluate the
extent to which respondents knew about or participated in the programs
conducted by the municipality. Logistic regression was used to assess the
meeting of PA recommendations in leisure time based on program
knowledge and participation. Results: Knowledge of PA programs was
high (91.6%) and 5.6% of population participated in the programs. After
adjusting for individual characteristics, exposure to Curitiba's PA
community programs was associated with leisure-time PA (POR = 2.9,
95% CI = 2.9-3.0) and walking for leisure (POR = 2.4; 95% CI = 2.3-2.4).
The associations were stronger among men than among women.
Conclusions: Knowledge and participation in Curitiba's community PA
programs were associated with meeting recommended levels of PA in
leisure time.
Ross, R. K., Baxter, R. J., Standish, M., Solomon, L. S., Jhawar, M. K., Schwartz,
P. M., et al. (2010). Community Approaches to Preventing Obesity in California.
American Journal of Public Health, 100(11), 2023-2025.
The authors discuss obesity, health disparities, and social justice and
programs adopted under The California Endowment to address these
issues in the state. Programs adopted to target these problems include the
Healthy Eating Active Communities (HEAC) program and the Central
California Regional Obesity Prevention Program (CCROPP). The
programs are described and evaluated.
Samuels, S. E., Craypo, L., Boyle, M., Crawford, P. B., Yancey, A., & Flores, G.
(2010). The California Endowment's Healthy Eating, Active Communities
program: a midpoint review. Am J Public Health, 100(11), 2114-2123.
OBJECTIVES: We conducted a midpoint review of The California
Endowment's Healthy Eating, Active Communities (HEAC) program, which
works in 6 low-income California communities to prevent childhood obesity
by changing children's environments. The HEAC program conducts
interventions in 5 key childhood environments: schools, after-school
programs, neighborhoods, health care, and marketing and advertising.
METHODS: We measured changes in foods and beverages sold at
schools and in neighborhoods in HEAC sites; changes in school and afterschool physical activity programming and equipment; individual-level
changes in children's attitudes and behaviors related to food and physical
activity; and HEAC-related awareness and engagement on the part of
community members, stakeholders, and policymakers. RESULTS:
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Children's environments changed to promote healthier lifestyles across a
wide range of domains in all 5 key childhood environments for all 6 HEAC
communities. Children in HEAC communities are also engaging in more
healthy behaviors than they were before the program's implementation.
CONCLUSIONS: HEAC sites successfully changed children's food and
physical activity environments, making a healthy lifestyle a more viable
option for low-income children and their families.
Childhood Obesity & Miscellaneous
Babey, S. H., Hastert, T. A., Wolstein, J., & Diamant, A. L. (2010). Income
disparities in obesity trends among California adolescents. Am J Public Health,
100(11), 2149-2155.
OBJECTIVES: We assessed income-specific trends in obesity rates
among a diverse population of California adolescents. METHODS: We
used data from 17,535 adolescents who responded to the California
Health Interview Survey between 2001 and 2007 to examine disparities in
obesity prevalence by family income and gender. RESULTS: Between
2001 and 2007, obesity prevalence significantly increased among lowerincome adolescents but showed no statistically significant differences
among higher-income adolescents after adjustment for age, gender, and
race/ethnicity. Although the overall disparity in obesity by family income
doubled in this time period, trends were more consistent among male
adolescents than among female adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The
magnitude of the income disparity in obesity prevalence among California
adolescents more than doubled between 2001-2007. The overall leveling
off of adolescent obesity prevalence rates could indicate that efforts to
decrease childhood obesity are having an impact; however, our results
suggest that efforts to prevent childhood obesity may be failing to help
adolescents from lower-income families, particularly male adolescents.
Baggett, C. D., Stevens, J., Catellier, D. J., Evenson, K. R., McMurray, R. G., He,
K., et al. (2010). Compensation or displacement of physical activity in middleschool girls: the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls. International Journal of
Obesity, 34(7), 1193-1199.
Objective: The 'activitystat' hypothesis suggests that increases in
moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) are accompanied by a
compensatory reduction in light physical activity (LPA) and/or an increase
in inactivity to maintain a consistent total physical activity level (TPA). The
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purpose of this study was to identify the evidence of compensation in
middle-school girls. Subjects: Participants were 6916, 8th grade girls from
the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG). Design: Inactivity and
physical activity were measured over 6-consecutive days using
accelerometry (MTI Actigraph). A within-girl, repeated measures design
was used to assess associations between physical activity and inactivity
using general linear mixed models. Results: Within a given day, for every
one MET-minute more of inactivity, there was 3.18 MET-minutes (95%
confidence interval (CI): -3.19, -3.17) less of TPA (activity > 2 METS) on
the same day. Daily inactivity was also negatively associated with TPA on
the following day. Each additional minute of MVPA was associated with
1.85 min less of inactivity on the same day (95% CI: -1.89, -1.82). Daily
MVPA was also negatively associated with inactivity the following day.
Conclusion: Our results, based on 6 days of observational data, were not
consistent with the 'activitystat' hypothesis, and instead indicated that
physical activity displaced inactivity, at least in the short term. Longer
intervention trials are needed, nevertheless our findings support the use of
interventions to increase physical activity over discrete periods of time in
middle-school girls.
Brockman, R., Jago, R., & Fox, K. R. (2010). The contribution of active play to
the physical activity of primary school children. Preventive Medicine, 51(2), 144147.
Objective. To examine associations between active play and the physical
activity of 10- to 11-year-old children. Method. Cross-sectional study of
747, 10- tot11-year-olds, conducted between February 2008 and March
2009 in Bristol, UK. Mean minutes of moderate to vigorous physical
activity (MVPA) and mean activity levels (counts per minute, CPM) were
assessed by accelerometer. Frequency of active play was self-reported.
Results. Regression models indicated that frequent active play (5 or more
days per week) was associated with mean daily activity levels (CPM)
(girls: p = <0.01; boys: p = <0.01), but was only associated with mean
daily MVPA for girls (p = <0.01). For leisure-time physical activity, active
play was associated with children's CPM (girls: p = 0.02; boys: p = <0.01)
and MVPA (girls: p = <0.01; boys: p = 0.03) on weekdays after school, but
was only associated with weekend day CPM for boys (p = <0.01).
Conclusion. Active play is associated with children's physical activity with
after-school potentially being a critical period. Strategies to promote active
play may prove to be a successful means of increasing children's physical
activity.
Chillon, P., Ortega, F. B., Ruiz, J. R., Veidebaum, T., Oja, L., Maestu, J., et al.
(2010). Active commuting to school in children and adolescents: an opportunity
to increase physical activity and fitness. Scand J Public Health, 38(8), 873-879.
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AIMS: The purpose was to describe the patterns of commuting to school
in young people and to examine its associations with physical activity (PA)
and cardiorespiratory fitness. METHODS: The sample comprised 2271
Estonian and Swedish children and adolescents (1218 females) aged 9-10
years and 15-16 years. Data were collected in 1998/99. Mode of
commuting to and from school was assessed by questionnaire. Time
spent (min/day) in PA and average PA (counts/min) was measured by
accelerometry. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by means of a
maximal cycle ergometer test. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent of the
participants reported active commuting to school (ACS). Estonian youth
showed lower levels of ACS than Swedish (odds ratio, 0.64; 95%
confidence interval, 0.53-0.76) and girls reported lower levels than boys
(0.74; 0.62-0.88). ACS boys showed higher PA levels than non-ACS boys
for moderate, vigorous, MVPA, and average PA levels (all p </= 0.01).
Participants who cycled to school had higher cardiorespiratory fitness than
walkers or passive travellers (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly twothirds of the participants actively commuted to school. ACS may provide
an opportunity to increase levels of daily PA, especially in boys, and
cardiorespiratory fitness, especially if cycling. Public health strategies
should develop and test ACS patterns to get more evidence and promote
bike-friendly environments.
Craig, C. L., Cameron, C., Griffiths, J. M., & Tudor-Locke, C. (2010). Descriptive
Epidemiology of Youth Pedometer-Determined Physical Activity: CANPLAY.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 42(9), 1639-1643.
CRAIG, C. L., C. CAMERON, J. M. GRIFFITHS, and C. TUDOR-LOCKE.
Descriptive Epidemiology of Youth Pedometer-Determined Physical
Activity: CANPLAY. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 42, No. 9, pp. 16391643, 2010. Purpose: Objective measurement with body worn
instrumentation is a preferred and increasingly common way to gather
information about young people's physical activity. Measured samples
have been typically small and recruited through schools. The purpose of
this article was to present the descriptive epidemiology of children and
youth pedometer-determined physical activity on the basis of a large
national sample. Methods: Children and youth (19,789) were recruited
through random digit dialing. Participants were asked to wear the
pedometer for seven consecutive days and to log daily steps. Of the 58%
of participants who returned pedometer data, 95% wore the pedometer for
at least 5 d. Daily step counts below 1000 or above 30,000 steps were
truncated accordingly, and all values were included in the descriptive
analysis. Results: Boys and girls aged 5-19 yr took 12,259 and 10,906
steps per day, respectively. Daily steps were higher among boys than girls
and declined by age group in a pattern consistent with that predicted by
other smaller samples internationally. Weekday steps per day were
generally higher than weekend day steps per day and varied by season.
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Conclusions: This study demonstrates the viability of using relatively
inexpensive pedometers and methods for the surveillance of young
people's physical activity. The resulting descriptive data provide key
information regarding the population distribution of pedometer-determined
physical activity that may be useful for identifying target groups for
population strategies and other interventions.
Cui, Z., Huxley, R., Wu, Y., & Dibley, M. J. (2010). Temporal trends in overweight
and obesity of children and adolescents from nine Provinces in China from 19912006. Int J Pediatr Obes, 5(5), 365-374.
OBJECTIVES: To assess temporal changes in mean body mass index
(BMI) and the impact of socio-economic status on the prevalence of
overweight and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents in nine
provinces between 1991 and 2006. METHODS: Analysis of height and
weight data in children and adolescents aged 7-17 years with complete
information on age, gender, region, height and weight from consecutive
China Health and Nutrition Surveys (CHNS). Measurements were
recorded in 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2006. Household income
data in 2006 were included in the analysis of the impact of socio-economic
status on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and
adolescents. BMI cut-offs recommended by IOTF were used to define
childhood overweight and obesity, as well as the Chinese cut-offs. The
Cochrane-Mantel-Haenszel test for trend was used to examine the
temporal trends in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity.
Generalised estimating equations analysis was performed to assess the
changes in BMI during the study period after adjusting for age, sex, region
and income. RESULTS: In Chinese children and adolescents mean BMI
steadily increased from 17.4 kg/m(2) (95% CI: 17.3-17.5) in 1991 to 18.3
kg/m(2) (95% CI: 18.1-18.5) in 2006, after adjusting for age, sex, region
and income level. There was a corresponding increase in the prevalence
of overweight and obesity from 5.2% in 1991 to 13.2% in 2006. The
greatest increase occurred among male children and adolescents in whom
the prevalence of excess body weight tripled from 4.8% in 1991 to 15.4%
in 2006, compared with 5.4% and 11.0% in females over the same period.
In 2006, those from higher income families tended to have the highest
prevalence of overweight and obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of
overweight and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents has
increased steadily over the past 15 years with the increase being apparent
in all age, sex and income groups. However, the most noticeable increase
was in children from urban areas and those from higher income
backgrounds.
Findlay, L. C., Garner, R. E., & Kohen, D. E. (2010). Patterns of Children's
Participation in 'Unorganized Physical Activity. Research Quarterly for Exercise &
Sport, 81(2), 133-142.
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Children's leisure-time or unorganized physical activity is associated with
positive physical and mental health, yet there is little information available
on tracking and predicting participation throughout the childhood and
adolescent years. The purpose of the current study was to explore
patterns of unorganized physical activity participation of children ages 4
through 17 years. Longitudinal data from the Canadian National
Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth were analyzed using
semiparametric group- based trajectory modeling. Participation in
unorganized physical activity was best represented by two trajectory
groups for boys (n = 4,476) and girls (n = 4,502). For boys, these groups
were labeled regular participation and infrequent participation. For girls,
there was also a regular group and a second group that reflected
infrequent and decreasing participation throughout childhood and
adolescence. A higher educational level for parents and having two
parents in the home predicted regular participation for boys. For girls,
none of the examined variables were significant predictors. The results
suggest that boys have a relatively stable pattern of unorganized physical
activity throughout childhood and adolescence; however, for some girls,
participation declines in adolescence.
Guthold, R., Cowan, M. J., Autenrieth, C. S., Kann, L., & Riley, L. M. (2010).
Physical activity and sedentary behavior among schoolchildren: a 34-country
comparison. J Pediatr, 157(1), 43-49 e41.
OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare levels of physical activity and
sedentary behavior in schoolchildren from 34 countries across 5 WHO
Regions. STUDY DESIGN: The analysis included 72,845 schoolchildren
from 34 countries that participated in the Global School-based Student
Health Survey (GSHS) and conducted data collection between 2003 and
2007. The questionnaire included questions on overall physical activity,
walking, or biking to school, and on time spent sitting. RESULTS: Very few
students engaged in sufficient physical activity. Across all countries,
23.8% of boys and 15.4% of girls met recommendations, with the lowest
prevalence in Philippines and Zambia (both 8.8%) and the highest in India
(37.5%). The prevalence of walking or riding a bicycle to school ranged
from 18.6% in United Arab Emirates to 84.8% in China. In more than half
of the countries, more than one third of the students spent 3 or more hours
per day on sedentary activities, excluding the hours spent sitting at school
and doing homework. CONCLUSIONS: The great majority of students did
not meet physical activity recommendations. Additionally, levels of
sedentariness were high. These findings require immediate action, and
efforts should be made worldwide to increase levels of physical activity
among schoolchildren.
Jodkowska, M., Oblacinska, A., & Tabak, I. (2010). Overweight and obesity
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among adolescents in Poland: gender and regional differences. Public Health
Nutr, 13(10A), 1688-1692.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in
Polish adolescents in 2005 using both the International Obesity Task
Force (IOTF) cut-offs and a national reference; to compare this to data
collected in 1995; and to assess whether there were differences in
overweight or obesity by gender and place of residence in 1995-2005.
DESIGN: BMI was calculated from measured height and weight, collected
in a cross-sectional study in five regions of Poland in 2005. Adolescents
were categorised as normal, overweight or obese based on IOTF cut-off
values, and by national weight for stature tables, where the 90th and 97th
percentiles were used as cut-off values for overweight and obesity.
SETTING: Population-based study set in Poland. SUBJECTS: A twostage sampling method was used to recruit 8065 pupils (3980 boys and
4085 girls) aged 13-15 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight
and obesity was 12.5 % and 1.9 %, respectively. No significant gender
differences were found, either in overweight or obesity. The prevalence of
overweight and obesity in 2005 had increased 2 % compared to 1995.
Overweight and obesity among adolescents were not related to urbanrural residence, but there were significant regional differences.
CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring trends in overweight and obesity among
adolescents in all regions of Poland using the same reference criteria is
important. Since regional differences in overweight and obesity rates
among adolescents were observed both in 1995 and 2005, future
research should investigate the potential causes of these differences.
Johnson, T. G., Brusseau, T. A., Darst, P. W., Kulinna, P. H., & White-Taylor, J.
(2010). Step counts of non-white minority children and youth by gender, grade
level, race/ethnicity, and mode of school transportation. J Phys Act Health, 7(6),
730-736.
BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study were to describe and analyze
the steps/d of nonwhite minority children and youth by gender, grade level,
race/ethnicity, and mode of school transportation. A secondary purpose
was to compare the steps/d of minority children and youth to their
Caucasian grade-level counterparts. METHODS: Participants were 547
minority youth grades 5 to 8 from 4 urban schools. Participants wore
sealed pedometers for 6 consecutive week/school days. Three hundred
and ten participants responded to a questionnaire concerning their mode
of transportation to and from school. RESULTS: Statistical analyses
indicated a main effect for gender (F(3, 546) = 13.50, P < .001) with no
interaction. Boys (12,589 +/- 3921) accumulated significantly more steps/d
than girls (9,539 +/- 3,135). Further analyses also revealed a significant
main effect for mode of school transportation (F(2, 309) = 15.97, P </=
.001). Walkers (12,614 +/- 4169) obtained significantly more steps/d than
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car (10,021 +/- 2856) or bus (10,230 +/- 3666) transit users.
CONCLUSIONS: Minority boys obtain similar steps/d as their Caucasian
grade-level counterparts; minority girls obtain less steps/d than their
Caucasian grade-level counterparts. Minority youth who actively commute
are more likely to meet PA recommendations than nonactive commuters.
King, G., Petrenchik, T., DeWit, D., McDougall, J., Hurley, P., & Law, M. (2010).
Out-of-school time activity participation profiles of children with physical
disabilities: a cluster analysis. Child Care Health and Development, 36(5), 726741.
Objective To determine out-of-school activity participation profiles of
school-aged children with physical disabilities. Methods Activity
participation profiles were determined by cluster analysing 427 children's
responses on multiple dimensions of participation (intensity, location,
companionship, enjoyment, preference) in five activity types (recreational,
active physical, social, skill-based, self-improvement). Socio-demographic,
child, parent, family and environmental predictors of group membership
were determined, along with child functioning, socio-demographic, selfconcept and social support variables significantly associated with group
membership. Results The cluster analysis revealed four groups, labelled
Social Participators (a highly social and neighbourhood-focused group),
Broad Participators (a group of high participators who enjoy participation),
Low Participators (a group with low enjoyment and weak preferences) and
Recreational Participators (a group of younger children who participate in
recreational activities with family members). The groups showed
meaningful differences across a range of socio-demographic, child,
parent, family and environmental variables. Conclusions The findings
support an affective and contextual view of participation, indicating the
importance of motivational theory and a person-environment approach in
understanding the complexity of children's out-of-school activity
participation.
Li, S., Treuth, M. S., & Wang, Y. (2010). How active are American adolescents
and have they become less active? Obes Rev, 11(12), 847-862.
The aim of this study was to systematically examine patterns and time
trends in US adolescents' physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours.
We examined findings from the nationally representative Youth Risk
Behavior Surveillance Surveys during 1991-2007, and fit regression
models estimating average annual changes and tested time trends, and
age, gender and ethnic differences. US adolescents had less PA but more
sedentary behaviours than recommended, but showed no clear evidence
of becoming less active. In 2007, 24.9% reported on average spending
>/=3 h of screen time per day for non-school work; only 34.7% met the
current PA recommendations, and it (25.6%) was even lower in girls. The
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prevalence of having sufficient vigorous PA changed little between 1993
and 2005 (from 65.8% to 64.1%). Encouraging changes regarding TV
viewing time and physical education (PE) were detected. PE daily
attendance rate and exercising >20 min during an average PE class
increased significantly, while watching TV >/=3 h d(1) decreased
significantly in recent years. Considerable sex, age and ethnic differences
existed in the patterns and trends. These national data show no clear
evidence of declining PA among US adolescents in recent years. Reduced
PA is not likely the major explanation of the recent increase in obesity
among US adolescents.
Lissner, L., Sohlstrom, A., Sundblom, E., & Sjoberg, A. (2010). Trends in
overweight and obesity in Swedish schoolchildren 1999-2005: has the epidemic
reached a plateau? Obesity Reviews, 11(8), 553-559.
The aim of this review is to synthesize published evidence on the most
recent trends in overweight and obesity among Swedish children.
Specifically, trends are reported among fourth graders (10-11 years) from
six different municipalities between 1999 and 2005. Weights and heights
in representative samples of children within each area were measured by
school nurses as part of routine school health examinations. Standardized
definitions of overweight, obesity and thinness were calculated by
methods described by Cole et al. in 2000 and 2007. In Stockholm, obesity
prevalence during academic years starting 1999 and 2003 decreased nonsignificantly from 4.4% to 2.8% in girls, and increased non-significantly
from 3.2% to 3.8% among boys. In Gothenburg, comparing academic
years starting 2000 and 2004, prevalence of overweight in girls decreased
from 19.6% to 15.9% (P < 0.01) while thinness increased from 9.5% to
11.9% (P < 0.05); no significant changes were observed in boys. Finally,
the Swedish National Institute of Public Health released figures from
Karlstad, Umea, Vasteras and Ystad in 2003-2005 during which time no
trends in prevalence could be clearly shown. The stabilized rates are
probably a result of regional and local actions that have taken place in
many sectors of society, rather than one specific measure or national
political action.
Maddah, M., Shahraki, T., & Shahraki, M. (2010). Underweight and overweight
among children in Zahedan, south-east Iran. Public Health Nutr, 13(10), 15191521.
OBJECTIVE: The present study examined the prevalence of underweight
and overweight in a group of primary-school children in Zahedan, southeast Iran. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in a randomly selected
population of schoolchildren. SETTING: Primary-school children in
Zahedan city. SUBJECTS: A random sample of 1079 students (boys =
500 and girls = 579). Data on child's age, parental educational levels,
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body weight and height were collected. RESULTS: The rate of
overweight/obesity among boys and girls was 8.9 % and 10.3 %,
respectively; and of underweight among boys and girls was 22.8 % and
19.9 %, respectively. Prevalence of overweight increased as the boys and
girls approached adolescence and it was more prevalent among girls than
boys. Prevalence of overweight was directly related to maternal education
in this population. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of underweight in
young children as well as increase in the prevalence of overweight in girls
and boys near adolescence are of concern. Early poor growth and
subsequent rapid weight gain near to adolescent stage is related to
adulthood obesity.
Melkevik, O., Torsheim, T., Iannotti, R. J., & Wold, B. (2010). Is spending time in
screen-based sedentary behaviors associated with less physical activity: a cross
national investigation. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical
Activity, 7.
Background: In Australia and the USA, national guidelines exist for limiting
children's screen-exposure to two hours per day. This study aims to
determine whether exceeding the suggested guidelines for screen-based
sedentary behavior is associated with reduced levels of physical activity
across different geographical regions. Methods: Data material were taken
from the 2005/2006 survey of "Health Behaviour in School-aged Children
(HBSC) study; A WHO cross-National Survey". Data were collected
through questionnaires from 11-, 13- and, 15-year olds. The final sample
included 200,615 adolescents from 39 different countries in Europe and
North America. Gender and country stratified analyses regressed time
spent in leisure-time vigorous physical activity (VPA) and days of 60
minutes moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on time spent in
screen-based sedentary behaviors. To simplify interpretation, the
estimates from each country were pooled using a meta-analytic
procedure. Results: Exceeding 2 hrs of daily total screen-time was
negatively associated with MVPA for both boys and girls, and with VPA for
girls. When investigating the different types of screen-based behaviors
separately, exceeding 2 hrs daily of TV viewing was associated with less
MVPA for both boys and girls and less VPA for girls. Gaming was
associated with less MVPA and VPA for boys, and non-gaming computer
use was associated with higher levels of VPA for both genders. Stronger
negative associations between physical activity and screen-based
sedentary behaviors were found in countries where mean levels of
physical activity were relatively high. The association between physical
activity and sedentary behavior was not significantly associated with
national levels of screen-based sedentary behaviors. Conclusions: The
displacement mechanism does not appear to be universal across
countries. On a national level, negative associations between physical
activity and screen-based sedentary behaviors are less likely to be found
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in countries with relatively low levels of physical activity. Consequently,
national guidelines for limiting children and adolescents time in screenbased sedentary behavior may not be conducive to increasing levels of
physical activity in all countries.
Morrow, J. R., Martin, S. B., & Jackson, A. W. (2010). Reliability and Validity of
the FITNESSGRAM (R): Quality of Teacher-Collected Health-Related Fitness
Surveillance Data. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 81(3), S24-S30.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality (reliability and
validity) of large-scale fitness testing in Texas and determine if reliabilities
and validities were related to potential confounding variables. Four test
administration scenarios were conducted to investigate the quality of data
collected statewide as part of the Texas Youth Evaluation Project.
leachers and/or expert test administrators tested individual students (N =
1,010) on two occasions. Criterion-referenced reliabilities were very good
to generally acceptable for all FITNESSGRAM (R) test items, with
musculoskeletal items having the lowest reliabilities. The validity of
teacher-administered tests was good. Reliability and validity of teacherobtained health-related fitness measures were generally unrelated to
potentially confounding student or school characteristics. Administrators,
teachers, parents, and students can feel comfortable with the reliability
and validity of the statewide health-related fitness testing in Texas.
Mota, J., Ribeiro, J. C., Carvalho, J., & Santos, M. P. (2010). The physical activity
behaviors outside school and BMI in adolescents. J Phys Act Health, 7(6), 754760.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the associations
between active transport (AT), nonorganized out of school physical activity
(NOPA) and organized out of school PA (OPA) with BMI in Portuguese
adolescents. METHODS: The sample comprised 1121 adolescents age
13 to 17 years-old, which were assigned to 1 of 4 PA groups according to
the sum of participation in different physical activity behaviors outside of
school [AT, OPA, and NOPA]. RESULTS: In boys but not in girls, BMI was
lower as the participation in more PA behaviors outside school increased.
For those who only carry out 1 PA behavior, AT was the most common
behavior (boys = 48.9%; girls = 55.1%). On the other hand, NOPA was the
most common behavior for those engaged in 2 types of PA (girls = 51.6%;
boys = 46%). For those that carried out all the PA behaviors outside
school OPA was the most common choice in both girls (59.5%) and boys
(54%). AT, NOPA and OPA are different sources of PA outside school that
accrued in different ways to the increased level of PA. CONCLUSIONS: In
boys but not in girls, BMI was lower as the participation in more PA
behaviors outside school increased.
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Raustorp, A., & Ekroth, Y. (2010). Eight-Year Secular Trends of PedometerDetermined Physical Activity in Young Swedish Adolescents. Journal of Physical
Activity & Health, 7(3), 369-374.
Background: To explore the secular trends (time change) of pedometerdetermined physical activity (steps per day) in Swedish young adolescents
13 to 14 years of age from 2000 to 2008. Methods: The study was
analyzed between 2 cross-sectional cohorts carried out in October 2000
(235, 111 girls) and October 2008 (186, 107 girls) in the same school,
using identical procedures. Data of mean steps per day were collected
during 4 consecutive weekdays (sealed pedometer Yamax SW-200
Tokyo, Japan) and in addition height and weight were measured. Results:
When comparing cohort 2000 with cohort 2008 no significant difference in
physical activity were found neither among girls (12,989 vs 13,338 [t = 0.98, P < .325]) nor boys (15,623 vs 15,174 [t = 0.78, P = .436]). The
share of girls and boys meeting weight control recommendations was
none significantly higher in 2008 both among girls (68% versus 62%) and
among boys (69% versus 65%). Conclusion: There was no significant
difference of young adolescents' physical activity during school weekdays
in 2008 compared with 2000. This stabilized physical activity level, in an
internationally comparison regarded as high, is promising. Enhanced
focus on physical activity in society and at school might have influenced
the result.
Schooling, C. M., Yau, C., Cowling, B. J., Lam, T. H., & Leung, G. M. (2010).
Socio-economic disparities of childhood Body Mass Index in a newly developed
population: evidence from Hong Kong's 'Children of 1997' birth cohort. Arch Dis
Child, 95(6), 437-443.
BACKGROUND: Childhood adiposity in developed countries is often
associated with lower socio-economic position (SEP) of the family and
neighbourhood. However, the association of adiposity with SEP varies
with national income. The authors examined whether childhood BMI was
associated with family or neighbourhood socio-economic characteristics in
a recently and rapidly developed Chinese population. METHODS: The
authors used multilevel modelling in Hong Kong's populationrepresentative 'Children of 1997' birth cohort (n=8327) to examine the
association of BMI z-score and overweight (including obesity) at ages 6-11
years with parental education, mother's birthplace, sex and neighbourhood
median income. RESULTS: In 7108 (85 % successful follow-up) children,
boys were more adipose than girls. The association of parental education
with BMI z-score varied with mother's birthplace (p value for interaction
0.001). In children of Hong Kong-born mothers, parental education was
negatively associated with BMI z-score (mean difference -0.15, 95% CI 0.25 to -0.05 for highest compared with lowest). However, in children of
mainland China-born mothers, parental education was positively
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associated with BMI z-score (0.18, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.34 in the same
comparison). Neighbourhood had no association with BMI z-score.
CONCLUSIONS: In this recently developed Chinese population, there was
no consistent association between socio-economic characteristics and
childhood BMI. Other factors, such as experience of economic transition,
as proxied by mother's place of birth, exerted a modifying impact. The
cultural and biological mechanisms underlying these socio-historical
intergenerational influences need to be determined, so that effective
interventions can be implemented in China and elsewhere.
Senbanjo, I. O., & Oshikoya, K. A. (2010). Physical activity and body mass index
of school children and adolescents in Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria. World
Journal of Pediatrics, 6(3), 217-222.
Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles are known to predispose to
overweight and obesity. These lifestyles are also known to track from
childhood into adulthood with consequent cardiovascular and metabolic
problems. This study aimed to describe the frequency of physical activity
and the relationship between physical activity and body mass index of
urban Nigerian school children and adolescents. Children from seven
schools in Abeokuta, southwest Nigeria were selected using a multistaged random sampling technique. Of 570 children, 411 (72.1%) were
involved in moderate to vigorous physical activities. Involvement in
physical activity was higher in older children (P < 0.001), males (P <
0.001), and children of mothers with a higher educational level (P=0.03).
Eleven (1.9%) children were overweight or obese whereas 163 (28.6%)
were underweight. There were more children with underweight than
overweight among the subject population with a high level of physical
activity (35.6% vs. 4.4%, P=0.499). A large proportion of the children in
urban Nigeria participate in physical activity. The prevalence of overweight
and obesity is low but undernutrition is a major nutritional problem among
these children.
Singh, G. K., Kogan, M. D., & van Dyck, P. C. (2010). Changes in State-Specific
Childhood Obesity and Overweight Prevalence in the United States From 2003 to
2007. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 164(7), 598-607.
Objective: To examine changes in state-specific obesity and overweight
prevalence among US children and adolescents between 2003 and 2007.
Design: Temporal cross-sectional analysis of the 2003 and 2007 National
Survey of Children's Health data. Setting: The 50 states and the District of
Columbia. Participants: A total of 46 707 and 44 101 children aged 10 to
17 years in 2003 and 2007, respectively. Main Outcome Measures:
Prevalence and odds of obesity and overweight, differentials in which
were examined by bivariate and logistic regression analyses. Results: In
2007, 16.4% of US children were obese and 31.6% were overweight. The
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prevalence of obesity varied substantially across the states, with
Mississippi having the highest prevalence (21.9%) and Oregon the lowest
prevalence (9.6%). Overweight prevalence varied from a low of 23.1% for
children in Utah to a high of 44.5% for children in Mississippi. Between
2003 and 2007, obesity prevalence increased by 10% for all US children
and by 18% for female children, declined by 32% for children in Oregon,
and doubled among female children in Arizona and Kansas. Children in
Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Georgia, and Kansas had
more than twice the adjusted odds of being obese than children in
Oregon. Individual, household, and neighborhood social and built
environmental characteristics accounted for 45% and 42% of the state
variance in childhood obesity and overweight, respectively. Conclusions:
Substantial geographic disparities in childhood obesity and overweight
exist, with an apparent shift toward higher prevalence in 2007 for several
states. Marked geographic disparities indicate the potential for
considerable reduction in US childhood obesity.
Yoo, S., Lounsbery, M. A., Bungum, T. J., & Gast, J. (2010). Adolescent gender
and ethnicity differences in physical activity perceptions and behavior. J Phys Act
Health, 7(6), 770-775.
OBJECTIVES: To examine gender and ethnicity differences in
adolescents' physical activity (PA) behavior and perceptions. METHODS:
Surveys designed to measure PA behavior and perception were
completed by 175 adolescents. Gender and ethnicity differences in PA
behavior were examined using chi-square tests. A two-way between
groups MANOVA was used to examine perception. RESULTS: No
significant differences were found between gender groups for PA.
Caucasian students were more likely to be active and to perceive that PA
makes their health better. Hispanics were more likely to perceive that PA
requires more time than Caucasians. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest
greater consideration be given to the ethnic orientation of PA behavior
antecedents when promoting PA to adolescents.
Zhang, J., Seo, D. C., Kolbe, L., Middlestadt, S., & Zhao, W. (2010). Trends in
overweight among school children and adolescents in seven Chinese Provinces,
from 1991-2004. Int J Pediatr Obes, 5(5), 375-382.
OBJECTIVE: To examine trends in body mass index (BMI) in relation to
energy intake and expenditure among Chinese school children and
adolescents from seven Provinces during 1991-2004, a time of rapid
economic development in China. METHODS: Combined cross-sectional
data derived from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (N = 1,977 in
1991, 2, 048 in 1993, 2,350 in 1997, 1,872 in 2000, and 1,275 in 2004)
was utilized to assess BMI and prevalence of overweight. Sequential
multiple regressions were conducted to assess the extent to which
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changes in energy intake and expenditure accounted for variation in BMI.
RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of overweight among school children
and adolescents doubled from 1991 to 2004. It increased from 6.5% to
16.1% for children aged 6-11 years and from 3.3% to 6.2% for
adolescents aged 12-18 years. Changes in energy intake, physical
activity, and sedentary activity explained 12% and 28% of variance in BMI,
respectively, for children and adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese
youths, especially children aged 6-11 years, became overweight rapidly
during 1991-2004, which coincided with rapid economic growth in China.
Effective policies and interventions are needed to curb the overweight
epidemic among Chinese youths.
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