UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER NOTES
“Promoting Health through Physical Activity”

From the information contained in this edition of PRC Notes, it is clear to me that the active living/livable community movement is in full force. New legislation to support these concepts is being introduced. Web-based resources are growing. New community initiatives are being implemented. New trainings are now offered. National conferences now routinely have sessions devoted to these models. And, new funding streams are becoming available. If you haven't yet embraced the active living/livable community strategies in either your research or practice, you're missing a wonderful opportunity. It's time to get on the bandwagon before you miss the ride!

Steve Hooker, PhD, Director
Delores Pluto, PhD, Newsletter Editor (dmpluto@sc.edu)
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu

NEWS YOU CAN USE: International Walk to School Week; Family Health & Fitness Day USA

RESEARCH NOTES: Evidence Based PA for School Aged Youth; Convergent Validity of the PAQ for Adults

REPORTS AND GUIDELINES: Fitness and Academic Achievement; Preventing Childhood Obesity Available from IOM; Obesity Focused Newsletter

ASSESSMENT TOOLS: Community Assessment Tool; Livable Communities Evaluation Guide

NEW WEBSITES: Active Living Resource Center Website; Active Transportation Website; IPEN Website

PROMOTING PA: NIH Launches We Can!; Golden Shoes Promote PA

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES: US Conference of Mayors Adopts Complete Streets; Trails for Health; Free Land Use Publications and Resources

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS: Walk21; International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health (Save the Date!)

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATE: Recent Publications

INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL WEEK: International Walk to School Week is October 3-7, 2005 (International Walk to School Day is October 5). Register your event and find your country's website at http://www.iwalktoschool.org. Go For Green of Canada has several reports available online for schools and communities interested in increasing the number of children who walk to school. The site (http://www.saferoutestoschool.ca/tourtheworld.asp) also has posters, brochures and advice on how to plan your walk to school event.
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FAMILY HEALTH AND FITNESS DAY USA: Family Health & Fitness Day USA is September 24, 2005. Events will take place at community sites including hospitals, health clubs, YMCAs, state & county health departments, park districts, houses of worship, and schools nationwide. For more information and to learn how to register, visit www.fitnessday.com/family
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For a list of PA related observances and events, visit the PA links section of our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/PAlinks/index.htm
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RESEARCH NOTES

EVIDENCE BASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR SCHOOL AGED YOUTH: A systematic literature review of the effects of physical activity on health and behavior outcomes found that most interventions used supervised moderate to vigorous activity for 30 to 45 minutes for 3 to 5 days per week. The panel of reviewers agreed that school aged youth should participate daily in 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous PA under ordinary conditions (rather than controlled, experimental conditions) in order to have a beneficial effect on health and behavior outcomes. Strong WB, Malina RM, Blimkie CJ, Daniels SR, et al. Evidence Based Physical Activity for School Aged Youth, The Journal of Pediatrics, 146(6):732-737, 2005
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CONVERGENT VALIDITY OF THE PAQ FOR ADULTS: Two studies were conducted to develop the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adults (PAQ-AD). In Study 1, convenience sample of 247 college students completed an adult version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) (the questionnaire was modified to reflect adult schedules and activities), Activity Rating, Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (LTEQ), Healthy Physical Activity Questionnaire (HPAQ) and Self-report Physical Activity Recall (SR-PAR). In Study 2, 184 predominantly middle-class, Caucasian adults completed the same questionnaires from Study 1 and sub groups wore one of three PA measurement devices. PAQ-A correlates moderately with other measures of PA in adults. The addition of this measure to the measure for older children and adolescents can be useful to longitudinal research projects that measure physical activity over a number of years. Copeland JL, Kowalski KC, Donen RM, Trembley MS. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2(2):216-226, 2005
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For additional summaries of recent research on promoting physically active lifestyles, visit the Research Updates section of our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/updates/index.htm
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REPORTS AND GUIDELINES

FITNESS AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: In April 2005, California Dept. of Education released the results of a study examining the relationship between test scores and physical fitness. Findings show a strong positive relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement. The relationship between fitness and achievement was stronger for females and higher SES students. To view the report, go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf/documents/2004pftresults.doc [CDC PA listserv]
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PREVENTING CHILDHOOD OBESITY AVAILABLE FROM IOM: "Preventing Childhood Obesity - Health in the Balance" is now available from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. This book examines the causes, extent, and consequences of childhood obesity and provides a prevention-oriented action plan that identifies the short and long-term interventions. Visit http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11015.html for ordering information
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OBESITY FOCUSED NEWSLETTER: The latest issue of Chronic Disease Notes & Reports, a publication of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, focuses on the increasing problem of obesity. Several articles discuss the need for physical activity promotion and successful initiatives such as VERB and Active Community Environments. Find the issue online at http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/cdnr.htm#winter2005 Chronic Disease Notes & Reports, Vol. 17 No. 2 Winter 2005
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ASSESSMENT TOOLS

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT TOOL: The Environmental Nutrition and Activity Community Tool (ENACT) offers a concrete menu of strategies to improve nutrition and activity environments on a local level. ENACT can be used to learn more about best practices and promising approaches to improve nutrition and physical activity environments and to conduct assessments and select priorities for changing each of the listed environments. Visit http://www.preventioninstitute.org/sa/enact/enact/index.htm for full access to tools, resources, articles and other practical "how to" information for implementing the ENACT strategies. [Prevention Institute e-Update]
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LIVABLE COMMUNITIES EVALUATION GUIDE: AARP's "Livable Communities: An Evaluation Guide" is now available online. This updated version is designed to help residents, advocates, and local leaders identify areas of success and potential opportunities for improvement in their community. Although written from the perspective of persons age 50 and older, the topics are applicable to residents of all ages and abilities. Topics discussed include transportation; walkability; safety and security; shopping; housing; health services; recreation and cultural activities; and other community services. To read the guide, visit: http://www.aarp.org/research/housing-mobility/indliving/d18311_communities.html
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NEW WEBSITES

ACTIVE LIVING RESOURCE CENTER WEBSITE: The Active Living Resource Center has announced a new website targeted to groups that want to improve their communities' pedestrian and bicycling environment. The site provides advice and resources to help community members plan and fund pedestrian and biking accommodation projects, Safe Routes programs and much more. Visit the site at http://www.activelivingresources.org [Centerlines #124]
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ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION WEBSITE: Bikes Belong, the League of American Bicyclists, and Active Living by Design have launched a new website created to encourage more people to use "active transportation." The site provides information, tools, resources, and inspiration for people to include bicycling and walking in their daily routines. Visit the site at: www.activetransportation.org [Bikeleague News 6/20/05]
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IPEN WEBSITE LAUNCHED: The International Physical Activity and the Environment Network (IPEN) has launched it's own website. IPEN initiative seeks to stimulate, inform, and support systematic and rigorous studies of physical activity and the environment. The site provides details about the network such as how to join, advice on how to conduct an IPEN study and other resources. Visit www.ipenproject.org
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PROMOTING PA

NIH LAUNCHES WE CAN! To help families adopt healthier lifestyles, NIH launched a new national public education program targeting parents and caregivers of children ages 8 to 13. Developed by NHLBI and promoted in collaboration with several other NIH institutes, national health and youth organizations, and community-based groups, "We Can!" ("Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition!") provides resources to encourage healthy eating, increase physical activity, and reduce sedentary time. The program offers a parents' handbook in Spanish and English as well as a new six-lesson curriculum for parents and tested curricula for children through community-based sites. A new online resource provides parents, caregivers, communities, national partners, and media up-to-date health information and tips on maintaining a healthy weight for families. For more information, visit http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov/ or call toll-free 866-35-WE CAN (866-359-3226). [CDC PA Listserv]
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GOLDEN SHOES PROMOTE PA: Cambridge Walks, a collaboration among city departments, businesses, health care organizations, and private citizens to promote physical activity in Cambridge, MA, has implemented several city-wide physical activity challenges for all ages. For example, to promote walking, "golden shoes" are placed throughout neighborhoods and parks. Find a specially marked shoe and win great prizes! Check out this and other community physical activity programs at: http://www.ci.cambridge.ma.us/cdd/et/ped/prog/ped_cambwalks.html
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PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES

US CONFERENCE OF MAYORS ADOPTS COMPLETE STREETS: The United States Conference of Mayors passed a resolution in support of a Complete Streets agenda in June. Complete Streets is a vision of a "seamless network of on-street bicycling and walking facilities, trails and transit connecting homes, jobs, schools, shops, families and friends." For more information about Complete Streets, go to:
http://www.americabikes.org/completestreets.asp [Centerlines #125]
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TRAILS FOR HEALTH: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now offers it's "Trails for Health: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Environments" brochure in English and Spanish for general audiences. A brochure is also available for health promotion professionals, advocates, and policy makers at http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/trails.htm
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FREE LAND USE PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES: The Local Government Commission offers several free publications and resources focusing on land use and creating active, livable communities. Articles, presentations, fact sheets, tips, tools and case studies are included on their website http://www.lgc.org/freepub/land_use/index.html
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UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

WALK21: The 6th International Conference on Walking in the 21st Century - "Everyday Walking Culture" - will take place in Switzerland September 22-23. The conference will focus on the planned implementation of walking into daily life by technical, political and structural means.

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INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH - SAVE THE DATE: The Physical Activity and Health Branch at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will host the International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health on 17-20 April 2006 in Atlanta, GA. This event will commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the release of the landmark U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health. Key scientific and programmatic advances in the field in the past 10 years will be emphasized and the direction of future research and promotion will be highlighted. Abstracts and contributed papers will be accepted for presentation at the Congress. Stay tuned for more info.

For a more complete list of conferences and workshops, visit the PA links section of our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/PAlinks/index.htm.
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USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATE

RECENT PUBLICATIONS OF THE USC PRC: Wilcox S, Sharpe PA, Hutto B, Granner ML. Psychometric Properties of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise Questionnaire. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2(3):285-297, 2005.
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This and past issues of the “University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center Notes” are available on our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/Newsletter/index.htm.

To submit an item, please e-mail Delores Pluto at dmpluto@sc.edu.

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For continuing discussions about physical activity, join the Physical Activity and Public Health On-Line Network listserv. Instructions are located on our website, at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/newsletter/commands.htm

The USC Prevention Research Center is a member of the CDC Prevention Research Center's National Network, consisting of 28 Centers in the U.S. For more information about the PRC National Network, visit http://www.cdc.gov/prc.

Prevention Research Center
Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina
730 Devine Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
803-777-4253

This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 5-U48-DP-000051 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC