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

As the dust settles from the recent flurry of legislative actions at the federal level, it is apparent that additional economic resources and partners will be available to promote research and practice focused on activity-friendly policies, communities and lifestyles.  It is incumbent upon physical activity researchers and professionals to step forward and make the best use of this opportunity.  This economic shot in the arm could prove to be a turning point in the fight against sedentary behavior and unfavorable environments and policies.  I know that we are up to the challenge!  I wish all of us success as we mobilize our expertise and experience to shine the spotlight on physical activity as one the best ways to enhance the health of individuals, communities, and our nation,

Steve Hooker, PhD, Director
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Denver, CO Bike Share Program; Geocaching; New Neighborhood Safety Brochure; World Physical Activity Day; National TV Turnoff Week; National Start! Walking Day

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON: Transportation: Call for Big, Bold Change; Trails, Walking, Biking: $825 Million in Stimulus Package

RESEARCH NOTES: Neighborhood Environment and Income; Test-retest reliability of the Women's Health Initiative physical activity questionnaire; Prevalence of self-reported physically active adults - United States, 2007

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:How States Encourage Bicycling, and Walking; New SRTS Progress Report Available; PRC Partnership Tool (PTT); Community Health Status Indicators

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES: Car-Free Weekends; The Greenprints Project; North Carolina Kids Get Their Game On

SCHOOLS: Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH); Safe Routes Snapshots: Columbia, SC

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS: SPARK Spring and Summer Institutes; 124th American Alliance for Health, Physical Activity, Education, Recreation and Dance National Convention; 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health; SOPHE Mid-Year Scientific Conference; 4th International Making Cities Liveable Conference

USC PEVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES: National Physical Activity Plan

DENVER, CO BIKE SHARE PROGRM. The Denver 2008 Democratic National Convention Host Committee presented a gift of $1 million toward the creation of America's first large scale community bike share program. Plans call for 30-40 automated kiosk-style bike racks across the city to facilitate a fleet of 500 specifically designed bicycles. Creating a community-wide bike share program in a major city positions Colorado as a leader in friendly bicycle accommodations. The program is modeled on dramatically successful programs in many European cities. View a brief video on the BCycle bike share program at http://www.bcycle.com/. [Source: Centerlines, Issue: 219, 01/21/2009]

GEOCACHING. If you love playing with the latest gadgets and exploring the great outdoors, try the “hot” new sport of geocaching: using hand-held GPS (global positioning system) devices to find waterproof containers (holding small toys, a log book, or other items) hidden outdoors. Go to geocaching.com for a list of caches, with latitude and longitude coordinates. Described as “hiking with a purpose,” geocaching uses technology to motivate the gadget-prone outdoors. Visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html; look under activities to see a video of kids geocaching in Minnesota. [Source: NRPA Weekly, March 3, 2009; originally published in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota StarTribune on 02/27/09]

NEW NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY BROCHURE: The Active Living Resource Center (ALRC) has created a new brochure entitled "Traffic! A Problem in Your Neighborhood?" It is available as an artwork file that ALRC staff will customize for free with the logo, tagline, and contact information of a sponsoring group or organization. It can then be printed and distributed locally. Artwork sets are available in English and Spanish. Brochures and artwork sets are produced through an outreach program supported by a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant. See the brochure at http://www.activelivingresources.org/assets/Neighborhood_safety_English.pdf  (English) and http://www.activelivingresources.org/assets/Neighborhood_safety_Spanish.pdf  (Spanish). Request a customized artwork set at: http://www.activelivingresources.org/links6.php.

WORLD PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DAY. Agita Mundo Network encourages the world to celebrate the World Day for Physical Activity on April 6, 2009: “Active Neighborhood Builds Health.” You can organize your event in April (around 1st to 10th) and register it at this website: http://www.agitamundo.org/site_en.htm. In past years, more than 6.000 events have happened all around the world.

NATIONAL START! WALKING DAY. April 8, 2009 is the day that adults nationwide can make the pledge to Start! walking and to become active and heart healthy, especially in the workplace. Visit http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053117

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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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

TRANSPORTATION: CALL FOR BIG, BOLD CHANGE: Every six years, Congress sets transportation and infrastructure priorities, allocating billions of dollars for projects that shape our communities for generations. This year's reauthorization of the transportation bill is our best chance to create a system where cyclists and pedestrians are safe, trains are faster and run cleaner, public transportation is available and efficient, roads and bridges are in good repair, and Americans everywhere benefit from a smarter network of transportation alternatives. Make sure your representatives and senators hear the voices of thousands of regular Americans calling out for big, bold change. Take Action at http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/t/3224/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=259. [Source: Transportation for America, February 2009]

TRAILS, WALKING, BIKING: $825M IN STIMULUS PACKAGE. President Obama has already signed into law an economic recovery package that contains $825 million in funding for Transportation Enhancements. While representing less than two percent of transportation funding in the bill, this investment could create tens of thousands of jobs and critical active transportation connections that communities need: the immediate job creation will also deliver long-term benefits for communities by reducing traffic congestion, climate emissions, oil dependence and obesity rates. Visit www.railstotrails.org/atfa to learn more about the immediate and long-term benefits of funding active transportation. [Source: Centerlines, Issue: 221, February 19, 2009

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RESEARCH NOTES:

NEIGHBORHOOD BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND INCOME: EXAMINING MULTIPLE HEALTH OUTCOMES.  The purpose of this cross sectional study was to determine the association between neighborhood built environment and median income to multiple health outcomes, and to determine whether the associations were similar for low and high income neighborhoods.  32 neighborhoods were stratified by income and walkability.  Participants were aged 20 – 65 years (n = 2199, 26% ethnic minority). The authors concluded that living in walkable neighborhoods was associated with more physical activity and lower overweight/obesity, with lower and higher income groups benefiting similarly from living in high walkability neighborhoods. Sallis, Saelens, Frank, et al. “Neighborhood built environment and income: examining multiple health outcomes.” Social Science and Medicine, in press.

TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY OF THE WOMEN'S HEALTH INITIATIVE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE. The study’s purpose was to examine the test-retest reliability of the physical activity (PA) questionnaire used in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study.  Participants (n = 1092) were postmenopausal women aged 50 - 79 years, and were randomly selected from the baseline sample of participants in the WHI Observational Study. Overall, questions on recreational walking, moderate recreational PA, and strenuous recreational PA had higher test-retest reliability than questions on mild recreational PA.  No meaningful differences were observed by race/ethnicity, age, time between test and retest, and the amount of reported PA. Meyer, Evenson, Morimoto, et al. “Test-retest reliability of the Women's Health Initiative physical activity questionnaire.”  Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41(3), 530-538.

PREVALENCE OF SELF-REPORTED PHYSICALLY ACTIVE ADULTS. The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans report provides new guidelines for aerobic physical activity and muscle strengthening physical activity.  Recommendations for aerobic physical activity in the 2008 Guidelines differ from those used in Healthy People 2010 (HP 2010).  The CDC analyzed data from the 2007 BRFSS survey to establish baseline data for the 2008 Guidelines, and to compare the percentage of respondents who reported meeting these guidelines with the percentage who reported meeting HP 2010 objectives. Overall, 64.5% of respondents in 2007 reported meeting the 2008 Guidelines, and 48.8% of the same respondents reported meeting HP 2010 objectives. Public health officials should be aware that when applied to BRFSS data, the two sets of recommendations yield different results. Carlson, Fulton, Galuska, et al. “Prevalence of self-reported physically active adults - United States, 2007.”  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 57(48), 1297-1300, 2008.

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, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

HOW STATES ENCOURAGE BICYCLING AND WALKING. A new report published by the National Conference of State Legislators, Encouraging Bicycling and Walking: The State Legislative Role (http://www.ncsl.org/programs/pubs/summaries/014234-sum.htm) shows how state legislatures have proactively supported bicycling and walking as transportation choices, and includes discussion of Complete Streets measures considered and adopted in state legislatures.  The report also looks at related economic, public, and environmental health benefits of bicycling and walking.  Discussions of funding stream mechanisms, planning, infrastructure design, and safety improvements are also included.  It was published in partnership with Coalition members the League of American Bicyclists and Bikes Belong (http://bikesbelong.org/).

NEW PROGRESS REPORT AVAILABLE: The National Center for Safe Routes to School has completed a three-year progress report mapping the growth of SRTS throughout the nation. The report includes case studies and updates on current state and national initiatives in support of communities building Safe Routes to School programs. Please go to http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/report/.  [Source: NCSRTS News, Jan/Feb 2009]

PRC PARTNERSHIP TRUST TOOL (PTT). All materials needed to implement the PTT are now available. The PTT is designed to engage PRCs’ academic, community, and public health practice partners in a dialogue about issues that foster and hinder trust. It allows partners to explore strengths, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop strategies for enhancing trust. For more information on the development of the PTT and its benefits, and to download the components visit http://www.cdc.gov/prc/about-prc-program/partnership-trust-tools.htm. [Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Prevention Research Centers Program Update, January 20, 2009]

COMMUNITY HEALTH STATUS INDICATORS (CHSI) Report. An overview of key health indicators for local communities is available to encourage dialogue about improving a community's health. It contains over 200 measures for each of the 3,141 U.S. counties. Community profiles can be displayed on maps or downloaded in brochure format. Mapping capability allows users to visually compare their own counties with similar counties (termed peer counties) and adjacent counties. The report can serve as a starting point for community needs assessment; quantification of vulnerable populations; and measurement of preventable diseases, disabilities, and deaths. See more at http://www.communityhealth.hhs.gov/HomePage.aspx

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PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

CAR-FREE WEEKENDS: Last summer, Kansas City, Missouri closed Cliff Drive, the only urban Scenic Byway in the state, to motorized vehicles on weekends from May through October. “The Innovative Car Free Weekends” pilot program was initiated to provide safe opportunities for pedestrian and bicycle-oriented activities that promote healthy lifestyles. Based on last year’s success, the city decided to expand it, and will now close Cliff Drive every weekend year round. Gates reopen each Monday at 8:00am. Read more at http://preview.tinyurl.com/c7jdmp. [Source: CenterLines Newsletter, Issue: 222, March 4, 2009; originally published in the Kansas Cyclist, February 27, 2009]

THE GREENPRINTS PROJECT. This project began as an initiative of the Mayor and City Council of Woodstock, Georgia in September 2007.  Residents, business owners, and landowners developed a plan for a “green infrastructure system” which would connect the City through a series of trails and open spaces. The result was the The Greenprints Project plan document which identified locations for future open spaces and planned a network of over 60 miles of trail system. A citizen action group is forming a 501(c)3 group to advocate and fundraise for future development. Access plan documents at http://preview.tinyurl.com/bdguqz. [Source:  Cherokee Tribune, 02/27/2009]

NORTH CAROLINA KIDS GET THEIR GAME ON. Henderson County was one of five counties chosen to implement a comprehensive program addressing childhood obesity. On a cold day in January, the Henderson County Partnership for Health sponsored “Be Active Day,” the first event in their project. Dozens of children jumped on bouncy balls, threw beanbags, played Nerf games, jumped rope, hula-hooped, and hopscotched. Representatives of more than twelve health-related agencies and organizations handed out information to parents hoping to inspire them and their kids to be more physically active. Read more at

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SCHOOLS:

COORDINATED APPROACH TO CHILD HEALTH (CATCH).  The Alliance for a Healthier Generation has approved three CATCH programs to be included in the resource database used by schools enrolled in their "Healthy Schools Program:" CATCH Go for Health for the classroom, CATCH PE for physical education, and CATCH Kids Club for after-school. The program offers solutions for schools to become healthier places that promote physical activity and healthy eating. Any school can enroll. One of the benefits is access to the resource database. If your school would like to join the Program, visit www.HealthierGeneration.org/schools. [Source: CATCH NEWS, (3)4, 2009]

SAFE ROUTES SNAPSHOTS: COLUMBIA, SC. There is a Comprehensive Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program at Rosewood Elementary School. A teacher and parent noticed on her walks to school with her daughter that cars were driving too fast near the school and running the red light at one of the school's main intersections. The teacher heard about SRTS, and with help from parents, teachers, administrative staff, and the school nurse, she worked to develop and implement SRTS activities at Rosewood Elementary. Listen to a new NCSRTS podcast featuring Tracy Shaw from Rosewood at: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/podcast/saferoutespodcast001.cfm. [Source: NCSRTS News, Jan-Feb 2009]

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UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

SPARK SPRING AND SUMMER INSTITUTES: After-School/Active Recreation-April 7 & 8, 2009, Early Childhood - April 9 & 10, 2009; Elementary P.E.: Level 1: K-2 - July 13 & 14, 3-6 - July 15 & 16, Level 2: K-6 - July 27-29, 2009; Middle School - July 30 & 31, 2009; High School – August 3 & 4, 2009.  Attendees learn new content ideas and instructional strategies designed to make physical activity more comprehensive, active, and enjoyable for kids. Participants can expect both activity and instructional-based lessons throughout the two-day training.  Space is limited to 40 for each Institute. For more information, please contact: Lindsay Santoro- lsantoro@sparkpe.org or call (800)-SPARK PE ext. 2239. http://www.sparkpe.org/institutes.jsp.

124TH AMERICAN ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, RECREATION AND DANCE NATIONAL CONVENTION AND EXPOSITION (AAHPERD 2009). March 31-April 4, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. http://www.aahperd.org/convention/

3RD INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH. May 5-8, 2009 in Toronto, Canada. http://www.cflri.ca/icpaph/en/index.php

SOPHE MID-YEAR SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE. May 6-9, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. http://www.sophe.org/event_items.asp?month=5&year=2009&item_id=12168

INTERNATIONAL MAKING CITIES LIVABLE (47th).  May10-14, 2009, in Portland, Oregon. http://www.livablecities.org/

USC PRC UPDATES:

NATIONAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PLAN. A plan that will help Americans become physically active every day is being developed. A conference seeking input from policymakers, scientists, healthcare providers and leaders in public health, education, transportation, media, business and industry and non-profit organizations will be held July 1 – 2, 2009, in Washington, D.C. University of South Carolina’s Prevention Research Center, with initial support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is taking the lead to organize the groups that will be involved in developing and implementing the National Physical Activity Plan, which is expected to be released in late 2009. Read more at http://www.physicalactivityplan.org/

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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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 Marsha Stepp at mstepp@mailbox.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 33 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
921 Assembly 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.

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