QUARTER 4: October - December 2017 | USC-PRC Notes
"Promoting Health through Physical Activity"
Topics in this issue
NEWS YOU CAN USE:
American Heart Association Launches Healthy for Good Movement
Rx for a Healthy Community
Increasing Cost of Admission to National Parks
Car-Free Sundays Rally Community to be Physically Active
A Dose of Nature: Doctors Prescribe a Day in the Park for Anxiety
Upcoming Events and Observances: January, February, March
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:
Federal Program that Helps Tackle Health Disparities Threatened in ’18 Budget
Recap: 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Meeting 5
RESEARCH NOTES:
Special Supplement: Preventive Medicine
Impact of a Workplace Physical Activity Tracking Program on Biometric Health Outcomes
Effects of Active Commuting and Leisure-time Exercise on Fat Loss in Women and Men
with Overweight and Obesity:
A Randomized Controlled Trial
Increased Physical Activity Associated with Less Weight Regain Six Years After “The
Biggest Loser” Competition
Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2018: The CREP Edition
REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:
2017 Bicycle Friendly State Ranking
HP2020 Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Infographic
The 2017 United States Report Card on Walking and Walkable Communities: A Foundation for Assessing Future Progress
Built Environment Recommendations to Increase Physical Activity Real-World Examples
PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:
Kingsport, Tennessee logs 1 Million Miles of Physical Activity in One Year
“Stay on Course 4 Communities” Program Mentors Youth through Golf
Nation’s Mayors Launch Groundbreaking 10-Minute Walk to a Park Program
Alabama 5k Moves Community Toward Healthier Future
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:
January, February, March
USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:
Announcing the 2018 Physical Activity & Public Health Courses!
Update from the USC PRC Core Research Project
Update from the National Physical Activity Plan
Update from the South Carolina Healthy Brain Research Network
Update from the South Carolina Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network II
NEWS YOU CAN USE:
American Heart Association Launches Healthy for Good Movement
In an effort to help people “eat smart, add color, move more, and be well,” the American Heart Association has launched the Healthy for Good Campaign. The campaign, based on ample evidence that regular physical activity can help people improve and maintain health, includes information about important but simple lifestyle changes that individuals can make each day. Like previous campaigns, Healthy for Good encourages people to start moving at least 150 minutes a week and to find activities that are realistic and enjoyable. Physical activity materials are provided including information on starting an activity routine, understanding basic fitness, staying motivated, and increasing light activity such as walking. The site also includes tips, workout routines, videos, and infographics about increasing and maintaining physical activity. Even more, the campaign includes healthy recipes, science-based weight management techniques, stress management, and tobacco cessation materials. For more information and to get regular updates, individuals can “join the movement” by signing up online.
[Source: American Heart Association]
Rx for a Healthy Community
In anticipation of a 2018 report that will rank America’s “Healthiest Communities,” U.S. News has partnered with the Aetna Foundation and developed an information hub that provides data about community health and health disparities. The community rankings will examine health outcomes such as obesity rates and life expectancy in more than 3000 counties. Determinants of health including access to green spaces, healthy foods, and opportunities for recreation and physical activity will also be incorporated in the analysis. In addition to community-level data on health indicators, the site provides a community profile highlighting positive changes that Oklahoma City has implemented, transforming the city by increasing the number of sidewalks, wellness centers, and biking and running trails.
[Source: US News]
Increasing Cost of Admission to National Parks
The US National Park system has a rich history of providing opportunities for physical activity to Americans who can enjoy hiking, biking, walking, swimming, and several other outdoor activities. However, The National Park Service plans to increase the cost of admission during seasons of highest attendance at 17 popular parks such as: Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Joshua Tree. Advocates report that the proposed increase will help pay for systematic infrastructure improvements, while critics say that increasing entry fees to national parks will discourage diversity and will decrease visits from low-income Americans and racial minorities. Comments can be made at the National Parks Service site through December 22.
[Source: NY Times]
Car-Free Sundays Rally Community to be Physically Active
Communities interested in increasing physical activity through foot-traffic may consider organizing a Car-Free Day by blocking off several city blocks and hosting programs such as group exercise classes, family and kid-friendly tours, arts and culture, and food tasting. The innovative technique has been tested by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in Singapore where the program’s success in 2017 is highlighted by plans to continue in 2018. Car Free Sundays’ organizers highlight the fun atmosphere created by the program and how people can explore the city in a whole new way, either on foot or on a bicycle. These types of events may also help raise awareness and educate citizens about the social, physical, and emotional benefits of a city less dependent on cars. Interested communities can read more about the program and how they can consider having their own car-free day in their city.
[Source: Straits Times]
A Dose of Nature: Doctors Prescribe a Day in the Park for Anxiety
Ecotherapy, nature-based programs, and exercise that can help people cope with mental or physical illness is a growing trend among physicians looking to find new ways to help people coping with chronic disease. To help patients deal with anxiety, depression, and chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure or diabetes, doctors are increasingly recommending that patients spend time participating in outdoor physical activity. The non-profit Park RX America and other organizations work with physicians to promote physical activity prescriptions across the country using evidence of the connection between outdoor physical activity and improved mental and physical health outcomes. Evidence is accumulating that outdoor physical activity and time spent in nature help people recover faster from illness and protect them from future anxiety and stresses. For more information on park prescriptions, tool kits, and case studies, visit the Park RX website.
[Source: NBC News]
JANUARY
Cervical Health Awareness Month
January 1-31, 2018
FEBRUARY
American Heart Month
February 1-28, 2018
National Cancer Prevention Month
February 1-28, 2018
National Wise Health Consumer Month
February 1-28, 2018
National Wear Red Day
February 3, 2018
National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week
February 11-17, 2018
2018 Hike the Hill
February 10-15, 2018
MARCH
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
March 1-31, 2018
National Kidney Month
March 1-31, 2018
National Nutrition Month
March 1-31, 2018
National School Breakfast Week
March 5-9, 2018
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week
March 11-17, 2018
Kick Butts Day
March 21, 2018
American Diabetes Alert Day
March 27, 2018
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:USC PRC UPDATES:
Federal Program that Helps Tackle Health Disparities Threatened in ’18 Budget
The Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Program (REACH), an evidence-based, community health program within the CDC, is under threat of losing funding for the 2018 fiscal year. The REACH program uses community-based participatory approaches to reduce health disparities such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity in racial and ethnic minorities. For example, funding for this program has helped make improvements to the environment to reduce pedestrian death rates. REACH funding has also supported the development of more active transportation projects and other physical activity programs to address health disparities in underserved communities. Without the REACH program, communities will have increased difficulty reducing health disparities. You can take action and tell Congress to support REACH here.
[Source: Transportation for America]
2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Committee Meeting 5
The Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee held its final meeting of 2017 from October 16-20. During the meeting, eight subcommittees and one working group presented findings from literature reviews to the full Advisory Committee to address specific questions about the strength of evidence supporting physical activity in subpopulations including pregnant women, youth, and older adults. A recap of the meeting, including meeting notes, presentation slides, and videos are available for review. The committee will compile the evidence into a scientific report that will be submitted to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and posted publicly online in 2018. The report will include methodology, conclusion statements, evidence portfolios, and a grade for the evidence supporting each conclusion. Federal staff will use this report, in conjunction with additional evidence, to complete the second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans in 2018.
[Source: Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion]
RESEARCH NOTES:
Special Supplement: Preventive Medicine
A special supplement to the journal Preventive Medicine is available that highlights a variety of perspectives on physical activity in public spaces worldwide. The special issue, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Active Living Research, features 16 articles addressing physical activity promotion from 5 continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Studies included in the supplement address issues including urban development, bike-share programs, neighborhood design, and the impacts of policy change promoting active lifestyles. Full copies of the articles published in the supplement are available on the Active Living Research website.
[Source: Special Issue, October 2017. Promoting Physical Activity in Public Spaces to Advance a Culture of Health. Preventive Medicine.]
Impact of a Workplace Physical Activity Tracking Program on Biometric Health Outcomes
As use of mobile health and activity trackers increases, many organizations have combined worksite wellness programs with these components. This longitudinal study recruited active employees and adult dependents in an eligible health plan who participated in a web-based, physical activity tracking. Biometric screenings were recorded between 2011 and 2014. The authors discovered that participation in the program was significantly associated with a 0.275 decrease in BMI compared to those who did not participate. No significant impacts were observed on cholesterol or blood pressure. While health benefits of participation on employees may seem minimal, results are consistent with the literature on workplace initiatives affecting biometric outcomes. Given the difficulty of program implementation in real-world settings, employers should not get discouraged about promoting worksite wellness programs.
[Source: Jiani, Y. et al. 2017 Impact of a Workplace Physical Activity Tracking Program on Biometric Health Outcomes. Preventive Medicine]
Effects of Active Commuting and Leisure-time Exercise on Fat Loss in Women and Men with Overweight and Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Active transportation to and from work may increase physical activity levels and aid in weight loss. To examine this, researchers randomized physically inactive men and women who were overweight or obese into 3 groups: (1) habitual lifestyle, (2) active commuting, or (3) leisure-time moderate or vigorous exercise. Follow-up at 3 and 6 months found that fat mass was reduced in active commuting and the moderate and vigorous exercise groups. Further analyses indicated that fat loss was greater in vigorous exercise groups compared to moderate exercise. These results indicated that active transportation, in addition to moderate or vigorous physical activity, may be an effective strategy for increasing physical activity and improving fat loss.
[Source: Quist, J.S. et al, 2017. Effects of active commuting and leisure-time exercise on fat loss in women and men with overweight and obesity: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Obesity]
Increased Physical Activity Associated with Less Weight Regain Six Years After “The Biggest Loser” Competition
Recent media coverage has highlighted significant weight regain experienced by contestants on The Biggest Loser gameshow. The purpose of this study was to investigate how physical activity and energy intake continued to impact weight loss and weight regain in Biggest Loser participants. Individuals were measured using DEXA, indirect calorimetry, and doubly labeled water at baseline, week 6, and week 30 of the show, and again 6 years later. During the competition, contestants that increased physical activity by 160% lost significantly more weight compared to those who increased physical activity by only 34%. At follow-up, participants who increased physical activity were significantly less likely to have regained excess weight; no association was found between energy intake and weight regain. Findings support the importance of increasing physical activity for long-term weight loss and weight management.
[Source: Kerns J.C. et al. 2017. Increased Physical Activity Associated with Less Weight Regain Six Years After “The Biggest Loser” Competition. Obesity]
Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2018: The CREP Edition
The American College of Sports Medicine has published the 12th edition of the Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends. The survey included a list of 40 possible trends compiled by editors representing corporate, clinical, community, and commercial fitness sectors as well as researchers from several academic institutions. Respondents ranked trends on a scale ranging from 1 (least likely to be a trend) to 10 (most likely to be a trend). The top five fitness trends for 2018 were: (1) high-intensity interval training, (2) group training, (3) wearable technology, (4) body weight training, and (5) strength training. Trends including worksite health promotion and smartphone exercise apps have fallen out of the top 20 trends from 2017. The author suggests that these trends are applicable to all sectors of physical activity including research, and can be used to increase and improve physical activity levels for multiple populations.
[Source: Thompson, W. 2017. Worldwide survey of fitness trends for 2018: The CREP edition. ACSM’s Health and Fitness Journal]
REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:
2017 Bicycle Friendly State Ranking
The Bicycle Friendly State Ranking provides state-level scores based on a weighted analysis in 5 areas: (1) infrastructure and funding, (2) education and encouragement, (3) legislation and enforcement, (4) policies and programs, and (5) evaluation and planning. Each state is also assessed on progress in 5 Bicycle Friendly Actions: (1) Complete Streets Policy, (2) Safe Passing Law, (3) Statewide Bike Plan in the last 10 Years, (4) Bicycle Safety Emphasis in Highway Safety Plan, and (5) 2% or More Federal Funds on Bicycle or Pedestrian Projects. Overall, since 2015, more states have increased their number of bicycle friendly actions. The individual state reports also provide summaries of bicycle friendly actions and suggestions for improvements.
[Source: Bike League Bicycle Friendly America]
HP2020 Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Infographic
Each month, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion creates an infographic highlighting progress toward one of the Healthy People 2020 Leading Health Indicators. The November infographic focused on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. Using data from the National Health Interview Survey and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the Healthy People 2020 target of having 20.1% of adults 18 years or older meet physical activity guidelines has been met. However, a decrease is still needed in obesity rates for adults and children and adolescents, and an increase is needed in daily vegetable intake for all persons 2 years or older.
[Source: Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion]
The 2017 US Report Card on Walking and Walkable Communities
The National Physical Activity Plan Alliance has released the first comprehensive assessment of walking and walkability in the U.S. Using information from several national datasets such as the American Community Survey, the National Health Interview Survey, and the National Household Travel Survey, the report outlines the extent to which individuals and communities in the U.S. meet standards for walking. These walkability standards include individual and community level factors such as walking behaviors, pedestrian infrastructure, safety, community walking programs, and pedestrian policies. Grades for each of the factors assessed were low. However, experts highlight that this report establishes a baseline for future comparisons as communities nationwide make improvements in policy and infrastructure to support walking and walkability.
[Source: National Physical Activity Plan Alliance]
Built Environment Recommendations to Increase Physical Activity Real-World Examples
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Community Prevention Services Task Force has released a two-page handout including real-world examples of built environment interventions and answers to frequently asked questions. The handout highlights eight communities across the U.S. that have implemented strategies to increase active transportation and land use or design policies encouraging outdoor activity. Strategies range from small-scale changes to large-scale community-wide interventions. For example, Atlanta, GA, has changed the built environment by converting abandoned railways into trails and plans to build a light-rail transit improving connectivity across 40 neighborhoods.
PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:
Kingsport, Tennessee logs 1 Million Miles of Physical Activity in One Year
Last November, nonprofit Healthy Kingsport launched the Million Mile City Challenge. The goal was to motivate community members to join together and log 1 million miles of physical activity in one year. To sustain the momentum of the challenge, Healthy Kingsport also developed a series of 30-day, virtual, micro-fitness challenges. Miles were calculated based on citizens’ physical activity minutes and steps, and tracked using Walker Tracker. In their first year, the residents of Kingsport logged nearly 1.6 million miles. To celebrate their success, Healthy Kingsport has set a goal of becoming a 2 Million Mile City in 2018.
[Source: Business Wire]
“Stay on Course 4 Communities” Program Mentors Youth through Golf
The Stay on Course 4 Communities Program, a five week program that teaches students valuable life lessons through golf, has completed its 3rd year at Morrisburg Public School. As part of Stay on Course 4 Communities, students learn character traits such as perseverance, resilience, and respect for the sport while increasing after-school physical activity. Students walk from school to the golf course where they improve their sports skill. Students even teach their adult mentors technology skills such as how to use iPads to take photos and videos. The program’s success is highlighted by mentors getting involved in other volunteer opportunities at the school to build relationships with the students.
[Source: Standard-Freeholder]
Nation’s Mayors Launch Groundbreaking 10-Minute Walk to a Park Program
Mayors from 134 cities across America have joined with The Trust for Public Land, the National Recreation and Park Association, and the Urban Land Institute to launch a new walking advocacy campaign. This collaborative campaign, called the “10-Minute Walk,” advocates for cities to establish parks within a 10-minute walk from every neighborhood. The multi-year partnership will continue to provide cities with tools for infrastructure developments, policy changes, and joint use agreements. Participating mayors represent diverse municipalities ranging from small towns to large cities. The U.S. Conference of Mayors also recently passed a unanimous resolution urging more mayors across the country to commit to the 10-minute walk to a park goal. More information about the campaign and a list of participating mayors can be found here.
[Source: PRNewswire]
Alabama 5k Moves Community Toward Healthier Future
Organizers of the 5K at the Junction run, held annually since 2012 in Birmingham, AL, want to help increase physical activity participation in African American communities. The race course directs runners through Birmingham’s Ensley neighborhood and is the only USA Track & Field-certified event in a predominantly black community in Alabama. The race organizers, who also founded the non-profit Black People Run Bike Swim, hope this annual race addresses health inequities and disparities in their community. The 5K at the Junction attracts over 400 participants and several virtual runners who participate in the 5K remotely to support the cause and the community.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:
JANUARY
Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Mental Health Conference
January 18-20, 2018
Portland, OR
FEBRUARY
New Partners for Smart Growth Conference: Building Safe, Healthy and Livable Communities
February 1-3, 2018
San Francisco, CA
Active Living Research Conference
February 11-14, 2018
Banff, Alberta, Canada
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: 14th Annual International Comprehensive Symposium
February 22-24, 2018
Miami, FL
MARCH
American Academy of Health Behavior Scientific Meeting
March 4-7, 2018
Portland, OR
National Bike Summit
March 5-7, 2018
Washington, DC
SHAPE America Southern District Conference
March 20-24, 2018
Nashville, TN
Aging in America. The Annual Conference of the American Society on Aging
March 26-29, 2018
San Francisco, CA
USC PRC UPDATES:
Announcing the 2018 Physical Activity & Public Health Courses!
The postgraduate course on research directions and strategies (September 11-19, 2018) and the practitioner’s course on community interventions (September 13-19, 2018) will be offered in 2018! To learn more about these courses, please visit http://www.asph.sc.edu/paph/ or contact Janna Borden, Project Coordinator, (803) 576-6050 or jsborden@mailbox.sc.edu
Update from the USC PRC Core Research Project
The USC PRC core research project examines the dissemination & implementation of Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN), a faith-based intervention to help promote changes to the church environment and policies that support physical activity and healthy eating. Faculty and staff from the USC PRC recently shared initial learnings about the FAN D&I project at several local and national conferences. Findings from Phase 1 of the D&I study were presented at the Eat Smart, Move More South Carolina Leadership Summit in Columbia, SC and at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Conference in Atlanta, GA. Graduate students also presented research at the APHA conference about the development and testing of a Church Environment Audit Tool, a unique tool measuring aspects of the church built environment that may impact physical activity and healthy eating. The USC PRC also had the opportunity to lead a workshop at the 4th Annual Healthy Churches 2020 Conference. The theme of the conference was Faith and Public Health: Leading Together to Find Solutions. Their workshop provided an overview of the FAN program and included initial findings and learnings from the D&I study. Finally, USC PRC staff attended the PRC Network meeting at the CDC in Atlanta, GA to present findings from Phase 1 of the FAN D&I study.
Update from the National Physical Activity Plan
This quarter the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance released the latest series of plan-related objectives, specifically for the Community Recreation, Fitness, and Parks sectors. The NPAPA also released two new commentaries on physical activity and public health. The first, “Tackling Health on all Fronts in Tennessee” documents a recent conversation with Leslie Meehan, the Director of Primary Prevention at the Tennessee Department of Health, exploring the role of physical activity within the Tennessee Department of Health's Health in All Policies Initiative. The second explores “Preaching What You Practice: Physical Activity Promotion in Healthcare” through a discussion with Dr. Liz Joy, Medical Director of Community Health and Food & Nutrition at Intermountain Healthcare.
A new NPAPA informational video, released in early October, introduces the vision, history, and overarching efforts of the NPAP. Additionally a NPAPA guest post on the HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion's Be Active Your Way blog highlighted the 2017 United States Report Card on Walking and Walkable Communities released in September. The post reviews the nine grades published in the Report Card and suggests opportunities for improvement.
Update from the South Carolina Healthy Brain Research Network
SC-HBRN team members presented at two national conferences this quarter: the 2017 American Public Health Association in Atlanta, GA and the Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference in Hilton Head, SC. In collaboration with other HBRN centers, they presented several studies including the HBRN Scholars Program, Alzheimer’s disease in social media, and health literacy in the context of Alzheimer’s disease research.
Update from the South Carolina Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network II
Dr. Daniela Friedman, SC-CPCRN II principal investigator, serves as the co-lead for the South Carolina Cancer Alliance (SCCA) Prostate Cancer Workgroup. The workgroup was recently awarded $10,000 to continue with implementation of its community based prostate health education program in rural counties of South Carolina.
Recent publication from previous work:
Choi, S. K., Seel, J. S., Steck, S. E., Payne, J., McCormick, D., Schrock, C. S., & Friedman, D. B. (2017). Talking About Your Prostate: Perspectives from Providers and Community Members. Journal of Cancer Education, 1-9.
Dr. Heather Brandt, SC-CPCRN II co-investigator, has been appointed to serve on the editorial board of the American Public Health Association’s (APHA) American Journal of Public Health (AJPH). Dr. Brandt will assist in developing and reviewing the Journal’s strategic plan and policy issues and provide direction and advice to the Journal’s editors and staff.
Dr. Abe Wandersman, SC-CPCRN II co-investigator, and his team were awarded the 2017 Outstanding Evaluation Award from the American Evaluation Association for their work on the Robert Wood Johnson funded SCALE Healthy Community Coalition Project.
Writers: John Bernhart and Caroline Dunn
To submit an item, please e-mail the USC PRC at uscprc@mailbox.sc.edu.
To subscribe to this newsletter, send an email to listserv@listserv.sc.edu. In the body of the e-mail type: SUBSCRIBE PRCNEWS yourfirstname yourlastname, as in: "SUBSCRIBE PRCNEWS Joe H. Smith". Alternatively, if you want to subscribe anonymously, send the command: "SUBSCRIBE PRCNEWS Anonymous". Your subscription will then be hidden automatically.
NOTE: Do not include any other text in the message, including any electronic signature. Once you have subscribed to the newsletter, you will be e-mailed a welcome message. Please save the e-mail for future reference.
To unsubscribe to this newsletter, send an email to listserv@listserv.sc.edu. In the body of the e-mail type: SIGNOFF PRCNEWS. Again, do not include any other text in the message.
There is no subscription cost for the newsletter. If you have an e-mail filter in place that only allows messages from approved email addresses, please add uscprc@mailbox.sc.edu to your approved list.
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.
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.
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
