QUARTER 4: October – December 2019 | USC-PRC Notes
"Promoting Health through Physical Activity"
Topics in this issue
NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Announced Sports Award Winners
Parks and Recreation Departments Supporting Mental and Physical Health
Saturday Night Lights: Lighting the Way for Young Athletes
Running USA Announces Youth Program Award Nomination Window
UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES:
January, February, March
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:
Members of Congress Launch New Caucus on Transportation Policy
RESEARCH NOTES:
Race/Ethnic Variations in School-Year Versus Summer Differences in Adolescent
Physical Activity
The Impact of Shorter, More Frequent Outdoor Play Periods on Preschoolers’ Physical
Activity
During Childcare: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Correlates of Physical Activity Among Disadvantaged Groups: A Systematic Review
Association of Physical Activity and Fracture Risk Among Postmenopausal Women
REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:
Strategies to Support Physical Activity for Parents and Caregivers of Young Children
Americans’ Engagement with Parks Report
Rural Play Streets Guide
PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:
Maryland State Park Offers Free Camping Gear for Veterans
Minnesota Program Gives Children with Autism a Place to Play
Expanding Park Access in Grand Rapids, Michigan
RWJF Announces Culture of Health Community Winners
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:
January, February, March
USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:
Update from the USC PRC Core Research Project
Update from the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance
Update from the South Carolina Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network III
NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Announced Sports Award Winners
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has announced the three recipients of the 2019 Sports Award. The selected programs received a $10,000 cash prize to fund sport initiatives that promote health and physical activity in their communities. Examples of creative sports programs included: soccer programs for individuals of any ability, youth tennis programs, and a figure skating initiative that focuses on leadership and the power of education for young girls. Read more about this year’s award winners here. The call for applications for 2020 award winners is scheduled to be available online this spring.
[Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation]
Parks and Recreation Departments Supporting Mental and Physical Health
One session at this year’s National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Conference offered insight as to how parks can support mental and physical health. Based on research that shows those who suffer from mental health conditions benefit from physical activity and nature, NRPA has promoted programs supporting activities in the park. Parks departments across the country are advocating for the combination of physical and mental well-being initiatives. Some examples of successful programs include the Mindfulness Walk, Fit2Lead, and the Walk with a Doc initiative. You can read more about how physical activity and parks can positively influence mental health here.
[Source: National Recreation and Park Association]
Saturday Night Lights: Lighting the Way for Young Athletes
Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus Vance, has launched a youth sports and development program entitled Saturday Night Lights (SNL) at 14 gyms across New York City. The SNL program, which opens neighborhood and school gyms for youth access on Saturday nights, aims to offer a safe space for youth to participate in sports programs. The neighborhoods in which SNL operates are largely under-resourced, and this program provides opportunities for children in the community to be active. SNL offers sports and dance programs at no cost to youth. Due to high participation and enthusiasm for SNL, the program is expanding and is expected to include 20 gyms across all five boroughs of New York City by the end of 2019.
[Source: Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion]
Running USA Announces Youth Program Award Nomination Window
Running USA has announced that nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Youth Program Award. The award of $10,000 is one of four that will be presented at the 2020 Running USA Conference. Youth running programs that work to promote running and health, specifically obesity prevention, among all youth are eligible to apply. Community outreach, program demographics, and program reach will all be considered as part of the application process. Nominations may be submitted online.
[Source: Running USA]
UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES:
JANUARY
Cervical Health Awareness Month
January 1-31, 2020
FEBRUARY
American Heart Month
February 1-29, 2020
National Cancer Prevention Month
February 1-29, 2020
National Wise Health Consumer Month
February 1-29, 2020
National Wear Red Day
February 7, 2020
2020 Hike the Hill
February 8-13, 2020
National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week
February 9-15, 2020
MARCH
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
March 1-31, 2020
National Kidney Month
March 1-31, 2020
National Nutrition Month
March 1-31, 2020
National School Breakfast Week
March 4-8, 2020
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week
March 8-14, 2020
Kick Butts Day
March 18, 2020
American Diabetes Alert Day
March 24, 2020
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:
Members of Congress Launch New Caucus on Transportation Policy
Representatives from Illinois, Massachusetts, and California have established a new caucus entitled the “Future of Transportation.” The purpose of this caucus is to examine existing policies that impede transportation for individuals and transportation reform. One key issue the caucus will prioritize is “community connectivity,” the integration of bicycle and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. The representatives noted close ties between transportation and social justice, and how the current system may not be serving the needs of individuals who do not have access to walkable infrastructure or public transit. The caucus will work to set new transportation goals to propose to Congress.
[Source: Transportation for America]
RESEARCH NOTES:
Race/Ethnic Variations in School-Year Versus Summer Differences in Adolescent Physical Activity
During the summer, adolescents’ schedules are less structured, which can lead to less physical activity, more sedentary behavior, and more screen time compared to the school year. The purpose of this study was to examine seasonal differences in these behaviors in a group of diverse, low-income students from five states. Physical activity and sedentary time of the adolescents included in the study was measured through surveys and accelerometry, while screen time was measured via self-report. Enjoyment of physical activity for all participants was lowest during the summer. Furthermore, sedentary time was found to be higher among all respondents in the summer and the increase was greatest among African Americans. Tailored physical activity programs for low-income minority adolescents could help to increase activity levels in the summertime.
[Source: Sallis, J. F., Conway, T. L., Cain, K. L., Geremia, C., Bonilla, E., & Spoon, C. (2019). Race/Ethnic Variations in School-Year Versus Summer Differences in Adolescent Physical Activity. Preventive Medicine.]
The Impact of Shorter, More Frequent Outdoor Play Periods on Preschoolers’ Physical Activity during Childcare: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Children’s outdoor activity peaks at the very start of playtime. Shorter, more frequent times allocated for physical activity may make children more active. This randomized controlled trial determined the impact of four 30-minute outdoor play times on the physical activity of preschoolers. Twelve childcare centers were included in the study; six centers implemented the play time intervention for eight weeks while the remaining six centers retained their two 60-minute play times as usual. Activity was assessed for five days through accelerometry of all children included in the study (n=185). Although no difference in the children’s activity was found between the different settings, future studies might include different measurement techniques to decrease the high attrition rate that limited the current study’s conclusions.
[Source: Driediger, M., Truelove, S., Johnson, A. M., Vanderloo, L. M., Timmons, B. W., Burke, S. M., ... & Tucker, P. (2019). The Impact of Shorter, More Frequent Outdoor Play Periods on Preschoolers’ Physical Activity during Childcare: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. International journal of environmental research and public health.]
Correlates of Physical Activity Among Disadvantaged Groups: A Systematic Review
Socioeconomically disadvantaged adults report lower participation in leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and unspecified physical activity (PA) than those who have access to more resources. However, the specific variables that are associated with LTPA and unspecified PA for these adults are unknown. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review to identify the variables most commonly associated with LTPA and unspecified PA among socioeconomically disadvantaged adults. A total of 73 studies were included in the review. Mental health status as well as perceived benefits and enjoyment of physical activity were consistently, positively associated with LTPA. Self-rated health, functional capacity, and physical activity self-efficacy were consistently, positively associated with unspecified PA. The researchers noted a lack of strong and consistent evidence in the available literature but recommended that future studies should seek to improve PA self-efficacy, and perceptions of benefits and enjoyment for both LTPA and PA.
[Source: Craike, M., Bourke, M., Hilland, T. A., Wiesner, G., Pascoe, M. C., Bengoechea, E. G., & Parker, A. G. (2019). Correlates of Physical Activity Among Disadvantaged Groups: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.]
Association of Physical Activity and Fracture Risk Among Postmenopausal Women
Hip fractures in the older adult population are both common and debilitating. Physical activity is known to decrease the risk of hip fracture in older women, but it remains unclear how physical activity and sedentary behavior impact risk of fracture at alternate sites. This study examined data from the Women’s Health Initiative, a prospective cohort study of over 77,000 women aged 50-79. Women in the study self-reported their physical activity and sedentary time; fracture incidence (at any site) was also reported through a mailed annual health questionnaire. The authors found that higher physical activity was associated with a lower risk of hip fracture and overall fracture risk; also, mild activity and walking were associated with a lower risk of hip fracture. Future studies should continue to examine the relationship between light physical activity and fracture risk for women who are at risk who are unable to engage safely in activity.
[Source: LaMonte, M. J., Wactawski-Wende, J., Larson, J. C., Mai, X., Robbins, J. A., LeBoff, M. S., ... & Hovey, K. M. (2019). Association of Physical Activity and Fracture Risk Among Postmenopausal Women. JAMA network open.]
REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:
Strategies to Support Physical Activity for Parents and Caregivers of Young Children
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) released a report detailing three strategies that parents can use to help promote physical activity to their children. These strategies include (1) coactivity—or being active along with the child, (2) using novel technology such as videos or wearable devices to increase enjoyment of activity, and (3) reorganizing their schedule to prioritize physical activity in the child’s day. ACSM notes that new parents may be especially at risk of physical inactivity; therefore, prioritizing physical activity as a family and building activity into everyday life is important for both parent and child.
[Source: American College of Sports Medicine]
Americans’ Engagement with Parks Report
The Engagement with Parks Report is part of a broader effort led by the National Recreation and Park Association to learn more about Americans’ interaction with their local parks. Key findings from the 2019 report indicated that 70% of Americans live within walking distance of a park and/or recreation facility and 64% had visited a local park and/or recreation facility within the past month. Additionally, 93% of survey respondents indicated that it is important to protect natural resources with parks, trails, and green spaces.
[Source: National Recreation and Park Association]
Rural Play Streets Guide
Play Streets is a physical activity intervention that creates urban spaces for kids to play by temporarily closing streets to traffic. Baylor University has adapted this initiative for rural spaces in the Guide to Implementing Play Streets in Rural Communities. The Guide provides recommendations for how to initiate and implement Play Streets in a rural setting, as well as examples from communities that have successfully implemented the program. Also included in the guide is an evaluation template, resources such as example advertisements for the program, and feedback from other communities on challenges they faced when implementing Play Streets. Rural Play Streets communities have been established in Maryland, North Carolina, and Texas, and have successfully increased opportunities for kids to play.
[Source: Baylor University]
PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:
Maryland State Park Offers Free Camping Gear for Veterans
Veterans will now be able to go camping with new gear thanks to Operation: Campout!, an outreach program implemented in six Maryland state parks. The goal of Operation: Campout! is to reconnect veterans with their families in a safe and relaxing natural setting. Funded by a grant from Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, the program has greatly reduced camping costs for veteran participants. Operation: Campout! is hoping to expand its reach, offering resources to more camping lovers and at more parks.
[Source: The Baltimore Sun]
Minnesota Program Gives Children with Autism a Place to Play
Minneapolis’ Parks and Recreation Department has created the first safe space in Minnesota for children with autism to play together. Children with special needs may not be able to be as active as other kids because they may become overwhelmed in crowded parks or may not have a safe space to play. Thanks to this informal program supported by the Parks and Recreation Department in Minneapolis, children with autism are able to come together to engage in physical activity and work with sensory objects. This program is also helpful for parents, who may be able to get support from other parents while their children play. While this program has started off small, however shows promising results for future growth.
[Source: Minnesota Daily]
Expanding Park Access in Grand Rapids, Michigan
In many communities, after-hours use of school facilities is a common practice to increase access to recreational spaces for community members. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, city government officials are building upon this concept by strategically enhancing school recreational facilities in neighborhoods where park and green space access is limited. A recently completed park, constructed within a schoolyard at a combined elementary and middle school, features an outdoor classroom, improved athletic fields and walking trails, and a new rainwater garden. The initiative has been propelled by a strong partnership among the City of Grand Rapids and school officials who have jointly prioritized improving access to green space for all residents of the city.
[Source: District Administration]
RWJF Announces Culture of Health Community Winners
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has announced the five community recipients of their annual Culture of Health Prize. The 2019 winners are: Broward County, FL; Gonzales, CA; Greenville County, SC; Lake County, CO; and Sitka, AK. The five communities were selected because of their commitment to advancing health, equity, and opportunities for all residents. Each community received a $25,000 prize and the opportunity to share their initiatives more broadly through the RWJF.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:
JANUARY
Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Mental Health Conference
January 16-18, 2020
New Orleans, LA
FEBRUARY
Active Living Conference
February 2-5, 2020
Orlando, FL
MARCH
National Bike Summit
March 15-17, 2020
Arlington, VA
American Academy of Health Behavior Annual Scientific Meeting
March 8-11, 2020
Napa Valley, CA
American College of Sports Medicine’s International Health & Fitness Summit
March 12-15, 2020
Atlanta, GA
USC PRC UPDATES:
Update from the USC PRC Core Research Project
The previous USC PRC core research project examined the dissemination & implementation of Faith, Activity, & Nutrition (FAN), a faith-based intervention to help promote changes to the church environment for physical activity and healthy eating.
The new funding cycle began this quarter with a focus on developing online modules to train churches across the nation to deliver FAN. The modules will cover information previously covered during in-person trainings, including how to provide opportunities, set policies, share messages, and engage pastors in physical activity and healthy eating. Participants will be able to access the modules from any device and in any location with an internet connection. Once the development of the modules is complete, they will be evaluated by a small pilot group before recruitment of churches for the implementation study begins.
On December 5, Dr. Sara Wilcox presented on predictors of implementation of the FAN intervention, as part of a panel with three other PRC’s entitled “Addressing health disparities through engaged partnerships and the application of dissemination & implementation frameworks: Implementation research in the CDC prevention research center (PRC) network.” at the 12th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health. The panel was chaired by Ms. Brigette Ulin, Director of the PRC Program at CDC.
On December 12, Dr. Wilcox delivered a webinar sponsored by the RE-AIM Workgroup entitled, “Using the RE-AIM model in a faith-based dissemination & implementation study.” A recording of the webinar will be available here.
Update from the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance
This quarter, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance (NPAPA) Board of Directors approved a proposal to merge NPAPA with the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (NCPPA) and the National Physical Activity Society (NPAS). The boards of both NCPPA and NPAS approved the same proposal. Accordingly, the three organizations will proceed into a transition period with the goal of launching the new organization in early 2020. The new organization, which has not yet been named, will retain a focus on the National Physical Activity Plan, and it is anticipated that the NPAP "brand" will be maintained. NPAPA also released three State Liaison Reports this quarter. The reports include updates on the status of state-level legislation impacting physical activity in Kentucky, New York, and Washington, D.C.; Arkansas, Maine, and South Carolina; and Arizona, Maryland, and Minnesota. Additionally, David Buchner, MD MPH, a member of the board of directors of the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance and member of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, reflected on the latest Guidelines in a NPAPA commentary.
Update from the South Carolina Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network III
The SC-CPCRN is now in its third consecutive funding cycle and has a lot planned for the next five years. During years two and four, the CPCRN will bring back the Community Health Initiative Program (CHIP), a small-scale grant program where grantees in rural areas of South Carolina partner with federally qualified health clinics on the implementation and dissemination of evidence-based strategies or interventions focused on cancer prevention and control. SC-CPCRN III will also scale up cancer focused trainings and technical assistance from previous cycles. Two advisory councils (community-based and research focused) have been formed to assist with the implementation and dissemination of SC-CPCRN III work.
Writers: Kelsey Day and Lindsay Decker
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This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48DP006401 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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