November - December 2010 | USC-PRC Notes

“Promoting Health through Physical Activity”

I just returned from the annual American Public Health Association meeting in Denver, CO. As outgoing chair of the Physical Activity Special Primary Interest Group (PA SPIG), I was busy with meetings and professional networking. I did squeeze in 3-4 scientific sessions and was extremely impressed with their quality. These presentations were provided by researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and advocates. It is abundantly clear to me that the nexus between science, practice and policy is much greater than it was 10-15 years ago. This will be required even more in the future if we hope to stem the tide of sedentary lifestyle and its health consequences. This newsletter, as have previous editions, contains information from each of these important sectors to help keep you as informed as possible so you can continue to make a positive contribution to the field of physical activity and public health. On a personal note, I hope you will enjoy the upcoming holiday season with family and friends. All of us at the USC PRC wish you the very best and a Happy New Year!

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

IN THIS ISSUE – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Free Webinar on Joint-Use Agreements; The National Bike Summit; Bike League 2020 Vision Strategic Plan

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON: $1 Billion Allocated to Bike/Ped Projects in 2010; Complete Streets in the Nation’s Capital; White House Reportedly Green-Lights Transportation Bill; however…

RESEARCH NOTES: Walking and Cycling to Health: A Comparative Analysis of City, State, and International Data; Beyond Recreational Physical Activity: Examining Occupation and Household Activity, Transportation Activity, and Sedentary Behavior in Relation to Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk; Trends in Leisure-, Transport-, and Work-Related Physical Activity in Canada 1994-2005

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:New Resource: Safe Routes to School and Health: Understanding the Physical Activity Benefits of Walking and Bicycling to School; New BHFNC Website; State Indicator Report on Physical Activity 2010; National Action Guide

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES: New Program Recognizes Walk Friendly Communities; Achieve (Action Communities for Health, Innovation, and Environmental Change); Increasing Physical Activity through Community Design

SCHOOLS: NCSRTS Seeks Applications for $1,000 Grants; Video Games Help Schools Get Kids Moving, Exercising More; Inclusive Physical Education

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS: 138th American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition; 2010 International Sports Management Conference: Bridging Research and Practice; State Trail Administrators Annual Meeting; European Public Health Association (EUPHA) Annual Conference; Texas Obesity Research Center 2010 Conference; International Council on Active Aging Conference

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATE:Community Partnership Engagement Award- 2010

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

FREE WEBINAR ON JOINT-USE AGREEMENTS. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is partnering with the National Center for Safe Routes to School and America Walks to offer a free webinar called "Making New Places for Play: Joint Use Agreements between Schools and Parks" on Nov. 30, 2010, at 1 p.m., EST. This webinar will examine how such agreements can be negotiated to allow shared use of school recreational facilities, parks, and community recreation centers. Benefits include reduced costs, better services to the public, and increased access to new recreational and physical-activity opportunities for all ages. Reserve a seat at http://www.nrpa.org/Content.aspx?id=4270

THE NATIONAL BIKE SUMMIT. Learn how you can ask Congress to make strategic transportation investments that foster healthy people and healthy communities. The National Bike Summit has improved bicycle-friendliness and livability in many communities, but the need and opportunity to improve physical activity, safety and livability in the U.S., while reducing congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on oil – remains greater today than a decade ago. The Summit will be held March 8-10, 2011 in Washington, D.C. to act on a simple solution - the bicycle. Register and learn more here. [Source: American Bicyclist Update, November 8, 2010]

BIKE LEAGUE 2020 VISION STRATEGIC PLAN. Last month, the League of American Bicyclists’ Board and staff started a long-term visioning and planning process. They will be drafting 10-year measurable outcomes in support of their mission and the priority areas of advocacy, education, and promotion. They want to know what you think. Your input will help them shape the 10-year vision plan and give them direction for the next decade. Please take their short survey at http://preview.tinyurl.com/235k4jo. [Source: American Bicyclist Update, October 12, 2010]

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.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

$1 BILLION ALLOCATED TO BIKE/PED PROJECTS IN 2010. For the second year in a row, federal spending on bicycle and pedestrian projects exceeded $1 billion. According to the Federal Highway Administration's Financial Management Information System (FMIS), U.S. states spent $1.04 billion of federal funds on bicycle and pedestrian projects in fiscal year 2010. More than a third of those funds ($337 million) came from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funds. Read more at http://preview.tinyurl.com/367tshr. [Source: American Bicyclist Update, November 08, 2010]

COMPLETE STREETS IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL. On October 18th, the District of Columbia formally adopted Complete Streets as its guiding policy for transportation projects. Effective immediately, the policy establishes a vision for all transportation and other public space projects to “accommodate and balance the choice, safety, and convenience of all users of the transportation system.” The District has much to gain, since nearly 40% of residents rely on their feet, bikes, and public transportation to get to work, school, shops, and community destinations. The newly policy will ensure efforts to make a more livable District through improved transportation options. [Source: CenterLines 265. October 27, 2010]

WHITE HOUSE REPORTEDLY GREEN-LIGHTS TRANSPORTATION BILL; HOWEVER…. USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood has told members of the Transportation Equity Network that he has received approval from the White House to move on the country's next 6-year transportation bill, to be included in the President's budget request for fiscal year 2012." However, the current extension of the existing transportation law, expires on December 31st. Consensus is that if Congress instead opts for a two-year extension this fall, there would be “little to no likelihood” of passage of full reauthorization during the 2012 presidential election cycle. [Source: American Trails, at http://www.americantrails.org/reauth.html]

RESEARCH NOTES:

WALKING AND CYCLING TO HEALTH: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CITY, STATE, AND INTERNATIONAL DATA. This study analyzed city- and state-level data from the United States and international data from 15 countries to study the relationship between "active travel" -- bicycling or walking rather than driving -- and physical activity, obesity and diabetes. The results showed that more than half of the difference in obesity rates among countries is negatively associated with walking and cycling rates. Additionally, statistically significant positive relationships were found between active travel and physical activity and statistically significant negative relationships between active travel and diabetes at the stat and city level. The authors express the need for U.S. cities to encourage more walking and cycling for daily travel by providing safe, convenient and attractive infrastructure, such as sidewalks, crosswalks, bike paths and lanes, and intersection modifications that protect pedestrians and cyclists. Pucher, Buehler, Bassett, Dannenberg. "Walking and Cycling to Health: A Comparative Analysis of City, State, and International Data." Am J Public Health, 100(10), 1986-1992. (AJPH.2009.189324. 2010)

BEYOND RECREATIONAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: EXAMINING OCCUPATION AND HOUSEHOLD ACTIVITY, TRANSPORTATION ACTIVITY, AND SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR IN RELATION TO POSTMENOPAUSAL BREAST CANCER RISK. The relationship between structured, recreational physical activity and reductions in the risk of breast cancer has been widely established. However, a similar relationship between physical activity in household, occupational, and transportation settings and breast cancer risk has not been fully explored. Using data from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study involving 97,039 participants, the authors examined non-recreational physical activity behaviors among women who would later develop breast cancer. The results of this study suggest there is an inverse relationship, independent of recreational physical activity, between increasing levels of activity at the home, the job, and in commuting with risk of breast cancer. Among women reporting heavy lifting at work or home, a 38% reduction in risk was observed compared to those who reported sitting all day. These results suggest if an individual cannot meet the recommended guidelines for recreational physical activity, activity at home or work may still hold a protective effect for breast cancer. George, Irwin, Matthews, et al. "Beyond recreational physical activity: examining occupational and household activity, transportation activity, and sedentary behavior in relation to postmenopausal breast cancer risk." Am J Public Health 100(11): 2288-95, 2010. (AJPH.2009.180828)

TRENDS IN LEISURE-, TRANSPORT-, AND WORK-RELATED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CANADA 1994-2005. Despite reductions in caloric intake and increases in leisure-time physical activity over the past 30-40 years among Canadian adults, the combined prevalence of overweight and obese individuals rose from 49% to 59% between 1978 and 2004. The authors of this manuscript hypothesized this increase to be a result of decreases in non-recreational physical activity levels, specifically in work and transportation domains. Using data from the National Population Health Surveys and the Canadian Community Health Surveys, the authors found both men and women to be less inactive (more active) during leisure time and transportation, but more inactive at work. Given the large amount of time individuals spend at work, the authors hypothesize this increase in inactivity may contribute to the overall increases in overweight and obese Canadian adults. Juneau and Potvin. "Trends in leisure-, transport-, and work-related physical activity in Canada 1994-2005." Preventive Medicine, 51(5): 384-386, 2010. (doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2010.09.002)

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

NEW RESOURCE: SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL AND HEALTH: UNDERSTANDING THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BENEFITS OF WALKING AND BICYCLING TO SCHOOL. Walking and biking are two of the easiest ways to be active. The National Center for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) has prepared a new research-based resource that specifically looks at the potential physical activity benefits of a SRTS program and describes strategies for measuring those benefits. To view the resource, visit www.saferoutesinfo.org/online_library/details.cfm?id=4619

NEW BHFNC WEBSITE. The British Health Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity has created a new website as a useful resource for promoting physical activity. The new and improved website provides visitors with a wide range of information, including:

Curriculum support
Health & Safety advice and guidance
Calendar of events
Latest news in Physical Education & School Sport

The new website is an essential reference point for anyone working in physical education. The website has been completely re-designed to allow easier access to the most commonly used features. Visit the Association for Physical Education and School Sport (afPE) website at http://www.afpe.org.uk/. [Source: AusPAnet, Tuesday, October 26, 2010]

STATE INDICATOR REPORT ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY 2010. This report presents 12 policy and environmental indicators derived from strategies recommended by The Guide to Community Preventive Services, CDC’s Guide to Strategies for Increasing Physical Activity in the Community, The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation, and The National Physical Activity Plan. They are from multiple data sources and measure several aspects of a state’s ability to support physical activity. You can find this report at http://preview.tinyurl.com/295lgey.

NATIONAL ACTION GUIDE. The State Indicator Report on Physical Activity,2010 provides national- and state-levels information on the physical activity levels of Americans and on related policy and environmental supports. This action guide summarizes physical activity levels and also provides potential action items to support state-level policy and environmental changes to increase physical activity among all Americans. Access the guide at http://preview.tinyurl.com/2cajcly.

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES

NEW PROGRAM RECOGNIZES WALK FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) has officially launched Walk Friendly Communities (WFC), a national recognition program to encourage towns and cities across the United States to establish or recommit to a high priority for safe walking. The PBIC will assess communities' commitment to improving conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access and comfort, and will recognize communities that set the bar in fostering and accommodating walking. The program began accepting applications nationwide on November 1, 2010." Applications are de by December 15th. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/2bwkdvs. (Source: Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center Newsletter, Summer 2010]

ACHIEVE (ACTION COMMUNITIES FOR HEALTH, INNOVATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE). The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) invites local health departments to submit applications to become an ACHIEVE community. ACHIEVE communities receive support to strengthen a coalition of community partners (YMCA, Parks & Rec, schools, etc) and develop a community action plan that addresses comprehensive chronic disease prevention through policy, systems, and environmental change strategies. 2011 grant applications are now available at http://www.achievecommunities.org/Pages/default.aspx. [Source: SPARK E Newsletter October, 2010]

INCREASING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THROUGH COMMUNITY DESIGN. The Active Living Resource Center's newest publication, Increasing Physical Activity (IPA) Guide will help you and your community work towards the goal of a healthy community in which walking and bicycling are normal parts of daily life. The guide can be downloaded at http://preview.tinyurl.com/26jp28v . A "Feet to the Streets" webinar, sponsored by the National Center for Bicycling and Walking and Robert Woods Johnson Foundation, presented a guided tour of the publication. This webinar was recorded and is available for free viewing at http://tinyurl.com/362hdsw

SCHOOLS

NCSRTS SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR $1,000 GRANTS. The National Center for Safe Routes to School (NCSRTS) is accepting applications for 25 mini-grants of $1,000 each. These mini-grants support the goal of enabling and encouraging children to walk and bicycle to school safely. They will fund activities that range from efforts to help start or sustain a program, to creative ideas for improving safety and/or increasing the number of students walking and rolling to school. To learn more about the possibilities, go to http://tinyurl.com/yb3kbc6. [Source: CenterLines 265, October 27, 2010]

VIDEO GAMES HELP SCHOOLS GET KIDS MOVING, EXERCISING MORE. Last year, an elementary school in Las Cruces, NM has students doing five minutes of an active video game (“Just Dance” for Nintendo Wii) at the beginning of each school day. The dance video is broadcast to classroom TV monitors. Interestingly, tardiness decreased! When they started the activity again this year, students cheered. They love the fact that their teachers dance with them. The school administration was inspired to try this idea by researchers at New Mexico State University who are investigating the use of active video games as part of an obesity-prevention project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. [Source: Parks and Recreation Weekly News Brief, Oct. 12, 2010]

INCLUSIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION. It can be very challenging for physical education teachers to include students with special needs into their classes effectively . For a list of strategies (pertaining to organization and management, equipment, and activity modifications) to help ensure that all students are able to participate in physical education, Click Here. [Source: The Official SPARK Blog, November 2010]

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

138TH AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING AND EXPOSITION, 11/6/2010 - 11/10/2010, Denver, CO, http://www.apha.org/meetings/

2010 INTERNATIONAL SPORTS MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: BRIDGING RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, 11/4/2010 - 11/6/2010, Lausanne, Switzerland, http://www.worldeventsforum.com/ismc/

STATE TRAIL ADMINISTRATORS ANNUAL MEETING, 11/11/2010 - 11/13/2010, Chattanooga, TN, http://www.ibrc.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/stam2010/index.htm

EUROPEAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION (EUPHA) ANNUAL CONFERENCE, 11/13/2010 - 11/13/2010, Amsterdam, Netherlands, http://www.eupha.org/site/upcoming_conference.php

TEXAS OBESITY RESEARCH CENTER 2010 CONFERENCE, 11/18/2010 - 11/19/2010, Houston, TX, http://hhp.uh.edu/obesity/conference/

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON ACTIVE AGING CONFERENCE, 2010, 12/2/2010 - 12/4/2010, San Diego, CA, http://www.icaa.cc/convention.htm

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.

USC PRC UPDATES:
NCC COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP ENGAGEMENT AWARD- 2010. On October 11, 2010, the USC Prevention Research Center received the National Community Committee’s inaugural award for fostering close collaboration with our local community committees in respect to our CDC-funded core Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) projects in Sumter County. NCC Committee members work together to make recommendations about how community committees can share information and better serve individual PRCs as well as the national program. The USC PRC will also be eligible for the upcoming Community-Based Participatory Research Best Practice Award.

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.

Writers: Marsha Stepp, Robin Shook

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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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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