QUARTER 2: April - June 2020 | USC-PRC Notes

"Promoting Health through Physical Activity"

Topics in this issue

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:

  • Update from the USC PRC Core Research Project
  • Update from the South Carolina Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network III

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

  • 2020 Recreational Trails Program Awards
  • Healthy Moments Radio
  • How to Create a Trail, FREE Live Webinar
  • Improving Physical Activity During Pregnancy
  • Upcoming Events and Observances: July, August, September

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

  • Congress to vote on Great American Outdoors Act

RESEARCH NOTES:

  • Physical Activity Based Pediatric Obesity Treatment, Depression, Self-Esteem and Bodymage: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis
  • The COVID-19 Pandemic and Physical Activity
  • Worn on the Older Body: Physical Activity Technologies and the Commitment to Health
  • Association Between Parent and Child Physical Activity: A Systematic Review
  • Built Environment, Physical Activity, and Obesity: Findings from the International Physical Activity and Environment Network (IPEN) Adult Study

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

  • In Praise of Walking – New Webinar by America Walks
  • Virtual and Physical Outcomes Webinar
  • Park and Recreation Month Toolkit
  • Planning Physical Activity in Rural Communities

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

  • Local Move Your Way Campaign Kicks Off in Streator, Illinois
  • Healthy Streets Austin
  • The Future of Physical Education
  • Tennessee Schools Resume Sports
  • High Standards for New York Schools’ Wellness Policies

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

  • July, August, September

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR:

Greetings from the University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center!

Working from home and having a severe reduction in out-of-home activities has given me more time to think and reflect.  Like many of you, I’ve been thinking a lot about COVID-19 and the persistent social and structural inequalities in our nation. I’ve spent much of my career working with communities to support and enhance physical activity and healthy eating - - yet I see the struggles and fear that African Americans have in simply going out for a run (or walk), or enjoying bird watching in the park, or simply being out in the community.  I see the struggles that many people in communities of color have in being able to afford and access healthy foods and adequate healthcare.

Our Center has a long history of working in collaboration with communities to ensure that assets, struggles, and solutions are defined by the community. We are committed to continuing this type of community-engaged research to promote health and social equity.  Until we have equity and justice for all, we all suffer.  Martin Luther King, Jr. stated this eloquently, “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.”
I have been fortunate to work in partnership with churches across South Carolina for the last 15+ years.  The church has been and will continue to be strong force in addressing racism, social injustice, and health inequalities.  In the last 3 months, we have been piloting an online version of the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) program. This program helps churches develop tailored and personalized plans to create environments that support physical activity and healthy eating for their members and communities. Our Community Advisory Board and other community partners have been instrumental in helping us to tailor the program and outreach efforts. I’m happy to share that the results of our pilot study were extremely positive, and we are actively planning for the national roll-out of FAN this Fall. We will share announcements on our listserv, via social media (Facebook and Twitter), and in our next newsletter.
Thank you for subscribing to the UofSC PRC newsletter.  I hope that something in it inspires you to foster positive change in your community!

- Sara Wilcox

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:

Update from the USC PRC Core Research Project

The University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center’s Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) program completed a pilot study of the FAN Online Training. The training includes 8 self-paced weekly interactive lessons designed to teach churches how to create a healthier church environment that supports healthy eating and physical activity in the church setting.  Nine participants representing 9 diverse churches of across the country completed the training and provided feedback on each lesson via online surveys. Participants were also interviewed following the completion of the study to share more information about their overall training experience. Results were shared with the PRC’s community advisory board, and revisions outlined. Over the course of the next quarter the research team will revise the FAN Online Training and begin recruitment for the national implementation study which starts in the fall. Learn more about the FAN program.

Two new publications from this project are now available online:

Wilcox, S., Saunders, R. P., Jake-Schoffman, D., & Hutto, B. (2020). The Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) Dissemination and Implementation Study: 24-Month Organizational Maintenance in a Countywide Initiative. Frontiers in Public Health.

Wende, M. E., Kaczynski, A. T., Bernhart, J. A., Dunn, C. G., & Wilcox, S. (2020). Objective Church Environment Audits and Attendee Perceptions of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Supports within the Church Setting. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Update from the South Carolina Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network III

Dr. Eberth has been awarded the NRHA’s Outstanding Researcher Award for her policy-relevant research on rural health issues related to cancer disparities, access to care, and the unique challenges experienced by rural persons of color.

One of SC-CPCRN’s undergraduate researchers, Cate Troy, has been awarded a Magellan Scholarship through the Office of Undergraduate Research to implement a train-the-trainer approach to an established prostate cancer education program in South Carolina. She will be working to recruit interested community organizations, provide the training on how to deliver the program, evaluate the training and provide technical assistance as they implement the education program during the grant period.

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

2020 Recreational Trails Program Awards

The Coalition for Recreational Trails, a group of organizations focused on building awareness for the National Recreation Trails Program, announced opening of nominations for its 2020 Achievement Awards. Nominations for outstanding trail programs will be accepted online until July 3, 2020. Potential nominees are programs occurring between 2011 and today that focus on: (1) construction, design, and maintenance, (2) public-private partnerships and land access, (3) community education and communication, (4) youth conservation/service corps and community outreach, and (5) enhancement of federal lands. All are encouraged to nominate programs and promote awareness of their local recreational trails programs. This year’s award ceremony will take place virtually at the end of the summer.
[Source: American Trails]

Healthy Moments Radio

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases’ (NIDDK) Healthy Moments Radio features weekly, online health tips that are only 1-minute long. Hosted by the NIDDK’s director, Dr. Griffin Rodgers, episodes focus on healthy lifestyle tips such as how to prevent kidney disease and diabetes, healthy eating, participating in research trials, and physical activity. The last two episodes highlight ways to overcome physical activity barriers, which new activities to try, and how physical activity can reduce stress. Healthy Moments Radio transcripts, MP3s, and online audio files can be viewed online.
[Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases]

How to Create a Trail, FREE Live Webinar

The Advancing Trails Webinar Series is hosting a free, online seminar on July 9, 2020. The webinar will be hosted by the chair of the San Francisco Crosstown Trail Coalition, the chair of the San Francisco Urban Riders, executive director of Nature in the City, and project manager of the San Mateo Resource Conservation District. The leaders of these groups will discuss how they came together to create a trail in nine months for only $600. Webinar attendees will learn the components necessary to create a successful trail in a unique environment. Interested individuals can register for the webinar online.
[Source: American Trails]

Improving Physical Activity During Pregnancy

Pregnant women that have chronic health conditions are at high risk for complications during pregnancy. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) and The Office on Women’s Health have collaborated to create resources to add to the Move Your Way toolkit that focuses on physical activity during pregnancy. In order to increase healthy behaviors during pregnancy, the team used focus groups and in-depth interviews of pregnant women and health care providers to determine barriers and facilitators to physical activity during pregnancy. To stay up to date on when new resources will be available, sign up for the ODPHP listserv.
[Source: Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion]

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES:

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

Congress to vote on Great American Outdoors Act

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, parks and trails have become some of the last public places that can support physical and mental health while allowing for proper social distancing. To support the use of these public parks and trails, Mitch McConnell (Senate Majority Leader and Republican Senator from Kentucky) will bring the Great American Outdoors Act to a vote in Congress in June. If passed, this Act will allocate $900 million per year into the Land and Water Conservation Fund and provide support for public lands. Not only will this bipartisan legislation improve access to nature and recreational resources, it will also support local economies, encourage tourism, and create jobs.
[Source: The Hill]

RESEARCH NOTES:

Physical Activity Based Pediatric Obesity Treatment, Depression, Self-esteem and Body Image: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Overweight and obese children commonly suffer from chronic mental and physical health conditions. Physical activity and dietary behavior change interventions have been proven to help treat obesity and improve psychosocial health. This article reviewed 64 studies, 49 of which were included for meta-analysis. Included studies reported that obesity treatments resulted in increased self-esteem and body image and results were maintained at a subsequent follow-up. Further studies should research if pediatric obesity treatment affects other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. 
[Source: Gow, M. L., Tee, M. S., Garnett, S. P., Baur, L. A., Aldwell, K., Thomas, S., ... & Jebeile, H. (2020). Pediatric obesity treatment, self‐esteem, and body image: A systematic review with meta‐analysis. Pediatric Obesity.]

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Physical Activity

The COVID-19 virus affects almost all body systems, and may cause extended periods of rest and limited mobility. Physical inactivity due to social distancing and quarantine may cause more individuals to be at high risk for contracting the virus. Endurance exercise may protect against symptoms of COVID-19 by making the respiratory system more robust to stressors. Although it is not recommended for those that have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to participate in moderate-vigorous physical activity, once symptoms have subsided, it is beneficial to slowly re-start a physical activity regimen.
[Source: Woods, J., Hutchinson, N. T., Powers, S. K., Roberts, W. O., Gomez-Cabrera, M. C., Radak, Z., ... & Coelho-Júnior, H. J. (2020). The COVID-19 Pandemic and Physical Activity. Sports Medicine and Health Science.]

Worn on the Older Body: Physical Activity Technologies and the Commitment to Health

Physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk for chronic disease; however, many older adults do not participate in activity levels needed to experience these effects. The use of technology to improve physical activity participation among older adults is understudied. This qualitative article asked older adults their opinions of and experiences with physical activity-based technologies. Most individuals included in the study indicated that physical activity technology made physical activity more enjoyable, made the user more motivated, and made it easier to track their goals. Some individuals did identify concerns with comfort of wearable devices and security of data. Physical activity technology may be helpful to improve the activity rates of inactive older adults.
[Source: Zieff, S. G., & Guedes, C. M. (2020). Worn on the Older Body: Physical Activity Technologies and the Commitment to Health. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity.]

Association Between Parent and Child Physical Activity: A Systematic Review

Parents are important role models for promoting physical activity to their children. This study reviewed literature regarding the relationship between parent and child physical activity. A total of 39 studies were included (n=15-1267). Most studies found a positive association between parent and child physical activity. Although no significant difference was found in physical activity type or intensity, the relationship between parent and child light physical activity rates was the weakest. Further studies should examine interpersonal or contextual factors that might affect the relationship between parent and child physical activity.
[Source: Petersen, T. L., Møller, L. B., Brønd, J. C., Jepsen, R., & Grøntved, A. (2020). Association between parent and child physical activity: a systematic review. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.]

Built Environment, Physical Activity, and Obesity: Findings from the International Physical Activity and Environment Network (IPEN) Adult Study

Built environments that support physical activity are promoted by the World Health Organization as a way to reduce many chronic diseases. The IPEN (International Physical Activity and Environment Network) Adult Study provides global evidence on associations of built environments with physical activity and weight status in 17 cities across 12 countries (n>14,000 participants). The authors reanalyzed data from eight IPEN papers to identify common themes. Built environment features, such as walkability, street design, land use, park access, and crime and traffic safety, were related to physical activity outcomes and overweight/obesity. Results also showed traffic safety and crime safety, specifically, were protective against overweight/obesity. Results offer empirical evidence that may promote policies focusing on transit and active transportation investments and walkability-focused land use.
[Source: Sallis, J.F,  Cerin, E., Kerr, J., Adams, M.A., Sugiyama, T., Christiansen, L.B., … & Owen, N. (2020). Built Environment, Physical Activity, and Obesity: Findings from the International Physical Activity and Environment Network (IPEN) Adult Study. Annual Review of Public Health.]

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

In Praise of Walking – New Webinar by America Walks

America Walks hosted a webinar in June that gave attendees an in-depth history of the functionality of walking and the everyday benefits. Speaker and neuroscientist, Shane O’Mara, discussed how walkability affects our environment, walking in relation to social and mental health, and even how walking may increase creativity. The webinar can be viewed in full online.
[Source: America Walks]    

Charrettes Go Virtual

City planners in Montana took their community design workshop online in May. Stakeholders met to discuss their BUILD grant, proposing walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods, community trails, multi-family homes, and ecosystem regeneration. Over 300 stakeholders were able to actively engage in this socially distant webinar thanks to an interactive online forum. Speakers suggest that using this type of forum in the future may be helpful to gain insight from experts and community members that are unable to attend an intensive meeting. The webinar can be viewed in full online.
[Source: Smart Growth America]

Park and Recreation Month Toolkit

July is National Park and Recreation Month. The theme this year is "We Are Parks and Recreation," highlighting the work of all parks and recreation employees. To celebrate this month, each day a new employee will receive an award and a toolkit will be released online to help you promote Park and Recreation Month at your organization. Tweet efforts that your community members are making in your parks systems with the hashtag #WeAreParksAndRec. Download the logo and all updates on the toolkit online.
[Source: National Recreation and Park Association]

Planning Physical Activity in Rural Communities

Lisa Charron, a project assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Population Health Institute, was interviewed by Dr. Christiaan Abildso to discuss her work integrating healthy eating and active living into comprehensive plans in rural Wisconsin. This work highlights the social, cultural, and environmental contexts of rural communities instead of studying these unique environments similarly to their urban counterparts. As part of this project, the University has worked to develop the Healthy Rural Community Design Tool, which is described further in a Landscape and Urban Planning research note (October 2019). Mayors of small towns highlighted the importance of the tool as a means to engage people in conversations about ways communities can achieve physical, economic, and social development goals.
[Source: Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Direct]

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

Local Move Your Way Campaign Kicks Off in Streator, Illinois

Communities are focused on promoting physical activity during COVID-19 social distancing and helping residents stay safe while they are active. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) is working with eight pilot communities to implement the Move Your Way campaign on the local level. As one example, Live Well Streator is a community collaborative with a Move Your Way campaign that incorporates indoor events at the Streator Incubator, a downtown business incubator and a community center in Streator, Illinois. Live Well Streator invited local businesses and schools to share how their employees and students get active to promote their campaign.
[Source: Health.gov]

Healthy Streets Austin

Some residents of the city of Austin, TX find active commuting difficult. The city is has many busy streets and limited access to trails and mass transit. The mayor’s stay at home order beginning in March 2020 increased the amount of motor vehicle accidents and over crowding at public park spaces. In an effort to fix these issues, Austin’s city council implemented the Healthy Streets program. Healthy Streets aims to make Austin a more walkable city by closing down parts of busy streets to cars and creating a walking path. More change is coming with a goal to increase the community’s use of active transport and street organization by 2039.
[Source: America Walks] 

The Future of Physical Education

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the physical education system has had to make many changes. No longer able to offer in-person classes, teachers were forced to use unique ways to deliver their lessons. A lot of teachers sought online resources such as interactive videos to teach lessons virtually. However, one professor at the University of Texas-San Antonio notes that this might be harmful to kids in the long term. One of the benefits of physical education is the interaction that kids get with their peers. Online, at-home classes lack a lot of social contact that they can acquire in person. To keep students engaged in physical activity at a distance, it is important for physical education teachers to support every child one-on-one and gain the support of their parents as well.
[Source: University of Texas San Antonio]

Tennessee Schools Resume Sports

In Tennessee, Weakley County Schools’ administrators announced the first of a three-phased approach to resuming sports activities beginning on June 1. Pre-workout screenings, facilities cleaning, limitations on gatherings, restrictions on physical activity and use of equipment, and restriction of shared hydration sources are all ways that they will be adhering to National Federation of State High School Associations guidance. Although some students may not be able to engage in phase 1 and some restrictions are still in place, administrators noted the importance of physical activity and athletic competition for the physical and mental well being of students. 
[Source: NWTN Today]

High Standards for New York Schools’ Wellness Policies

New York’s Creating Healthy Schools and Communities initiative has shown positive results. Schools that implemented stronger wellness policies were more likely to offer physical activity breaks and more likely to implement overall wellness practices. This study’s lead author noted that future work is needed to make sure schools at every level within a district implement best practices, so kids of all ages stay active at school.
[Source: University of Connecticut]

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

JULY

Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior 53rd Annual Conference
July 20-24, 2020
Virtual Event

16th Annual International Conference on Sport and Exercise Science
July 27-30, 2020
Athens, Greece (remote presentation offered as well)

Writers: Lindsay Decker and Marilyn Wende

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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.

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.

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.