July – August 2012 | USC-PRC Notes
"Promoting Health through Physical Activity"
I can’t believe that in a few short days, the Summer Olympics will begin. I remember watching them with great interest as a child. I am eager to see whether my 6-year-old son will also find them exciting and inspiring. As a society, we tune in to see the amazing athleticism and competition. Is there a way to help people harness that interest and excitement and apply it to their everyday lives? Something to ponder…. I hope that you enjoy watching the games, get inspired to try a new physical activity, and have a fun and active rest of your summer.
Sara Wilcox, PhD,
Director
Topics in this issue
NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Saudis Send First Female Athletes to the Olympics
Dr. Steven Blair Serves as an Olympic Torchbearer
Physical Education Programs In School Not Enough To Combat Obesity In Most States
Physical Education and Technology: Using Video Sports Games to Engage Students with Disabilities
Upcoming Events and Observances: August, September, October
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:
Transportation Act Signed into Law: Received with Mixed Reviews from Active Transportation Advocates
RESEARCH NOTES:
The Lancet: Special Edition on Physical Activity
Effect of Physical Inactivity on Major Non-Communicable Diseases Worldwide: an Analysis of Burden of Disease and Life Expectancy
The Pandemic of Physical Inactivity: Global Action for Public Health
Community-Engaged Interventions on Diet, Activity, and Weight Outcomes in U.S. Schools: A Systematic Review
Google Walkability: a New Tool for Local Planning and Public Health Research?
REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:
Population Shifts and Implications for Walking in the United States
PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:
National Park Foundation Supports Community Outreach Programs in the Golden Gate National Parks
Humana Active Outlook(R) Walking Program Launches to Improve Senior Health through Physical Activity and Socialization
Des Moines Public Schools Awarded $41,000 to Help Keep Kids Fit
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:
August, September, October
USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATE:
PRC Walking Intervention Continues to Recruit in Sumter County, SC
Data Collection Complete for SIP 09-028: Evaluation of a Self-Directed, Packaged Physical Activity Program for Adults with Arthritis
2012 Physical Activity and Public Health Courses to Take Place in September
NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Saudis Send First Female Athletes to the Olympics: For the first time in Olympic history, all participating countries will send female athletes to compete in the official games. Saudi Arabia was the most recent country to allow female athletes to participate, and will send judo competitor Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani and 800-meter runner Sarah Attar to London this month. The decision has been received as a an important step forward for Saudi women’s rights and athletic participation, as women do not have physical education in Saudi Arabia, and are not allowed to participate in sports clubs. Women’s rights advocates hope that the Olympic appearance will help put pressure on the country to allow for more athletic participation for women in the country.
[Source: NPR]
Dr. Steven Blair Serves as an Olympic Torchbearer: In recognition of his impressive history of research contributions to the areas of physical activity and chronic disease prevention, Dr. Steven Blair, professor of Exercise Science and Epidemiology & Biostatistics at the University of South Carolina, was named one of the 8,000 inspirational torchbearers for the 2012 Olympic Games. Dr. Blair carried the torch 350 yards across Reading, England on July 11 at approximately 4:20am EDT. More information about the upcoming Olympic Games and all of the torchbearers can be found on the official torch website: Moment to Shine
[Source: London 2012]
Physical Education Programs In School Not Enough To Combat Obesity In Most States: According to new research on the state-level physical activity requirements across the US, very few states currently require the minimum physical activity that is recommended by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education for children. A mere six states require enough physical activity in elementary schools, two states require enough in middle schools, and no states require adequate physical activity for high school students. The shortcomings of physical activity requirements highlight a disconnect between evidence supporting the inclusion of physical activity in childhood to help establish healthy behaviors and prevent chronic disease, and the lowering priority of spending time and money in schools to provide the necessary physical education for children.
[Source:Huffington Post]
Physical Education and Technology: Using Video Sports Games to Engage Students with Disabilities: Opportunities for children with special physical needs to participant in sports often become scarcer as the children grow up, as many sports and games require an increasing physical intensity and advanced skills that can make them difficult to participate in. Some educators are beginning to use active video games to offer students with special needs more outlets to be physically active and to increase their self-confidence in their physical abilities. At the Aaron School in New York City, students use Kinect Sports to engage students in simulated sports, in a safe and comfortable environment that is more predictable and less threatening than playing otherwise.
[Source: Huffington Post]
UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES:
AUGUST
National Immunization Awareness Month
August 1-31, 2012
National Health Center Week
August 5-11, 2012
SEPTEMBER
America On The Move, September
September 1-30, 2012
Fruit and Veggies - More Matters Month
September 1-30, 2012
Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month
September 1-30, 2012
Healthy Aging® Month
September 1-30, 2012
National Cholesterol Education Month
September 1-30, 2012
National Yoga Month
September 1-30, 2012
Whole Grains Month
September 1-30, 2012
World Alzheimer's Month
September 1-30, 2012
European Mobility Week
September 14-20, 2012
National Turn Off the TV Week
September 14-20, 2012
Active Aging Week
September 23-29, 2012
Alzheimer's Action Day
September 21, 2012
World Heart Day
September 27, 2012
National Women's Health & Fitness Day
September 26, 2012
Walk to Work Day [Australia]
September 28, 2012
Family Health and Fitness Day USA
September 29, 2012
OCTOBER
Healthy Lung Month
October 1-31, 2012
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 1-31, 2012
National Physical Therapy Month
October 1-31, 2012
International Walk to School Month
October 1-31, 2012
International Day of the Older Persons
October 1, 2012
National Child Health Day
October 1, 2012
International Walk to School in the USA Day
October 3, 2012
World Food Day
October 16, 2012
World Osteoporosis Day
October 20, 2012
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:
Transportation Act Signed into Law: Received with Mixed Reviews From Active Transportation Advocates:Months of negotiations and drafts of bills were finally resolved when a conference committee of the US Congress came to a bipartisan agreement on June 28th, that will authorizes the federal transportation program through 2014. President Obama signed Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). Active transport and safe streets advocates bemoaned the new deal, as it strips money from alternative transportation sources such as bike path building and walking safety. However, the deal does come as a relief, as the previous bill had expired in 2005, and had been held together with temporary extensions over the past 7 years.
[Source: US Senate, US Department of Transportation, Transportation for America, New York Times]
RESEARCH NOTES:
The Lancet: special edition on physical activity: In preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, The Lancet has released a special edition featuring articles on physical activity. Below are summaries of two of the articles from the special edition; the full collection can be found on The Lancet.
Effect of physical inactivity on major non-communicable diseases worldwide: an analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy: While there is strong evidence to show that physical inactivity increases risk of many chronic diseases, researchers sought to quantify the averted disease and gains in life expectancy that could occur at a population level if inactive people became more physically active. The results, presented by country, show the remarkably strong relationship between physical inactivity and increased disease and decreased life expectancy. Comparisons are also made between the decreases in life expectancy from physical inactivity and those caused by cigarette smoking and obesity.
Lee, I-M, Shiroma, EJ, Lobelo, F, et al. (2012) “Effect of physical inactivity on major non-communicable diseases worldwide: an analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy”. Lancet.
The pandemic of physical inactivity: global action for public health: Citing a lag in the implementation of effective programs and strategies to increase physical activity in the way that research has demonstrated is necessary, Kohl et al. argue that the best way for health practitioners to effectively increase physical activity is through a systems approach to population health, a move away from the traditional focus on individuals. While physical activity is known to have extensive health benefits, the authors argue that physical activity promotion must be made a public health priority. Strategies that are suggested here include the integration of multiple public sectors across regions (workforce, research, policy, and practice), and a combined approach that makes changes to the physical activity environment at multiple levels, simultaneously (e.g., individual, social, and physical levels).
Kohl, HW, Craig, CL, Lambert, EV, et al. (2012). “The pandemic of physical inactivity: global action for public health”. Lancet.
Community-Engaged Interventions on Diet, Activity, and Weight Outcomes in U.S. Schools: A Systematic Review: Community-engagement in interventions and working through existing networks, such as schools, are two strategies that have helped improve outcomes of obesity prevention interventions, though little is known about the effectiveness of using both of these strategies in combination with one another. This systematic review examined sixteen studies that targeted obesity by working through schools while also using some community engagement strategies. Researchers fount that a number of community engagement strategies enhanced the results of the school interventions, including: “capacity-building efforts, engagement in needs assessments and results dissemination, and durable partnerships”.
Krishnaswami, J, Martinson, M, Wakimoto, P, & Anglemeyer, A. (2012) “Community-Engaged Interventions on Diet, Activity, and Weight Outcomes in U.S. Schools: A Systematic Review”. Am J Prev Med.
Google walkability: a new tool for local planning and public health research?: A variety of new tools integrating physical activity and GPS or other location services have emerged in recent years, but little is known about how publically available neighborhood data compares to information that researchers might use to form a walkability instrument for a study area. Researchers tested the effectiveness of using multicomponent walkability scores to examine associations with actual walking behavior, as compared to single component items. After finding that multicomponent items were more strongly associated with walking behaviors, researchers tested the effectiveness of using a tool developed using Google walkability data (publically available information), and one developed with private data. The investigation showed that using the public data yielded very similar results, demonstrating that free tools like Google walkability could be very helpful in assessing the built environmental influences on walking.
Vargo, J, Stone, B, Glanz, K. (2012). “Google walkability: a new tool for local planning and public health research?” J Phys Act Health.
REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:
Population Shifts and Implications for Walking in the United States:A recently published report from two researchers at Hunter College in New York, NY, projects that changes in national demographics will lead to increases in both utilitarian and recreational walking in the US. The authors of the report, Drs. Peter Tuckel and William Milczarski, state that three major demographic shifts are likely to change the profile of walking in America and to cause a major increase in the number of walkers: “(1) the aging of the baby boomers, (2) the different transportation priorities of young people, and (3) the decline of the suburbs.” The report concludes by calling upon the country to keep this growing climate of active transport in mind as decisions are made about the walkability of future neighborhoods.
[Source: America Walks]
PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:
National Park Foundation Supports Community Outreach Programs in the Golden Gate National Parks: The National Park Foundation recently selected 49 parks to participate in the 2012 America’s Best Idea grant program, including the Golden Gate National Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Best Idea grant program was established to connect under-engaged populations with their national parks in new and significant ways. In the Golden Gate National Parks, the funds will be used to support a new program at San Francisco’s Crissy Field working “to provide culturally-relevant park experiences for new audiences and address language and transportation barriers”. The National Park Foundation has granted over $1.2 million through the Active Trails program since 2008, and has relied on the work of over 3,100 volunteers and 86 project partners to complete the work.
[Source: SF Gate]
Humana Active Outlook(R) Walking Program Launches to Improve Senior Health through Physical Activity and Socialization: After promising results in a pilot study, Humana is launching their walking program online and across the US to 17 Humana Guidance Centers nationwide. The program encourages seniors to join a walking group and to attend weekly group walks, where they are taught proper walking and stretching techniques, as well as providing a venue for the seniors to make walking friends and benefit from the social support of fellow walkers. Participants also receive a pedometer, and can upload their pedometer data after walks to see their step counts, calorie burn, and distance walked. In a pilot study, Humana saw widespread participation of seniors, and large increases in walking among participants, which encouraged the company to expand the program and hopefully expand the number of seniors benefitting from more physical activity.
[Source: Market Watch]
Des Moines Public Schools awarded $41,000 to help keep kids fit:Thirty-five Des Moines elementary schools were awarded $41,000 from the Midwest Dairy Council’s Fuel Up to Play 60 campaign, which strive to encourage children to eat healthy and get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. The schools plan to use the funds to support changes to the student breakfast menus and to purchase new physical fitness equipment.
[Source: Des Moines Register]
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:
AUGUST
none
SEPTEMBER
Physical Activity and Public Health Courses
September 11-19, 2012
Park City, UT
OCTOBER
86th Annual ASHA School Health Conference
October 10-13, 2012
San Antonio, TX
140th American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition
October 27-31, 2012
San Francisco, CA
Be Active: 4th International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health (ICPAPH)
October 31-November 2, 2012
Sydney, Australia
USC PRC UPDATES:
PRC Walking Intervention Continues to Recruit in Sumter County, SC: The Prevention Research Center’s core research project, Sumter County On The Move! (SCOTM!), is on the move! The project is investigating whether strategies for mobilizing, supporting, and reinforcing existing social networks are effective for increasing physical activity levels among residents of Sumter County, SC. Thus far, the program has enrolled over 100 participants in walking groups of 4-8 members, and recruitment is ongoing. The evaluation of this walking intervention will employ a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design, in which participants will be assessed at enrollment in the intervention (baseline), 6-months after enrollment, and again 6-months after program completion. Measures at each time point will include survey instruments to assess awareness, attitudes, perceptions of social support and self-efficacy, as well as physical activity assessments through 7-day accelerometry. For more information, visit Sumter County on the Move!.
Data Collection Complete for SIP 09-028: Evaluation of a Self-directed, Packaged Physical Activity Program for Adults with Arthritis: Data collection has ended for STEPS to Health (SIP 09-028). The study enrolled 401 adults with arthritis. Half of the participants were randomized to a 12-week self-directed exercise program (First Step to Active Health®) and half to an attention-control self-directed healthy eating program (Steps to Healthy Eating). Participants completed self-reported and physical performance measures at baseline, at the end of the 12-week program, and 6 months later. At the final measurement visit, participants who started with the exercise program received the nutrition program and vice versa. Adults with arthritis are at increased risk for other health problems that could benefit from exercise and healthy eating. If shown to be effective, both programs could be widely disseminated at a low cost to adults with arthritis. Outcome analyses are underway.
2012 Physical Activity and Public Health Courses to Take Place in September: The Physical Activity and Public Health (PAPH) Courses are currently in their 18th year of successful training for professionals in the field. The PAPH Courses will be held in Park City, UT from September 11-19. The Courses include an 8-day Postgraduate Course on Research Directions and Strategies and a 6-day Practitioner’s Course on Community Interventions. To learn more about the courses, visit: http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/education.htm.
Writer: Danielle Schoffman
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This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48-DP-001936 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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