QUARTER 1: January - March 2021 | 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 II

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

  • Fall Prevention for Older Adults: Recommended Physical Activities
  • World Health Organization Updates Physical Activity Guidelines
  • Healthy People 2030: Target-Setting Tools and Methods
  • The Benefits of Moderate Exercise

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES

  • April, May, June

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON: 

  • Public Transit Relief Proposal Approved by House Committee
  • House Passes Major Public Lands Package

RESEARCH NOTES:

  • Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Interventions in Faith-Based Settings: A Systematic Review Using the Reach, Effectiveness/Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance Framework
  • Why Are Individuals with Diabetes Less Active? The Mediating Role of Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Factors
  • Data and Policy to Guide Opening Schools Safely to Limit the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
  • The Impact of Schoolyard Greening on Children's Physical Activity and Socioemotional Health: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

  • Shifting Focus to Physical Activity
  • American Walks Guide to Assessing Neighborhood Walkability
  • What Can a Body Do? How We Meet the Built World – a Conversation with Author Sara Hendren
  • SNAP-Ed Toolkit: Online Physical Activity Resources
  • Public Parks, Reimagined for the COVID Era

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

  • Nine U.S. Cities Awarded Funding for Childhood Obesity Prevention
  • Oklahoma State University Extension Project Helps Fight Childhood Obesity
  • Women's Sports Foundation Celebrates 35th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day
  • Walking Groups Try to Spark Interest in a Physical Activity Most People Can Enjoy

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

  • April, May, June

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR:

Happy Spring!  I hope this newsletter finds you healthy and well.

Excuse me while I reminisce a bit before I share some exciting news…..  In 1998, I was a brand-new assistant professor eager to launch my career in physical activity research.  My post-doc mentor, Abby King, had told me about the Physical Activity & Public Health Postgraduate Course on Research Directions and Strategies that was organized by the University of South Carolina. That year, the 7-day course was held at Sea Pines (Hilton Head) SC, and I’ll be honest – I was a bit nervous to attend.  We all had to prepare a research idea that we’d work on over the duration of the course and ultimately present to the faculty and fellows.  I saw the list of faculty for the course and while excited, I was also somewhat intimidated. Would they shoot down my ideas? Was I ready for this?

In the end, as you can probably guess (and know if you’ve attended too!), this course was wonderful, and it had a major impact on my career. I was able to hear the latest research from leaders in the field, and even more, I was able to get to know these faculty in a casual setting – eating meals together, enjoying outdoor recreation, and having friendly and supportive consultations. I also was surrounded by other fellows, including a number from other countries, with overlapping interests and hopes. I have a friend and colleague to this day that I met at the course. The course also helped me to expand my thinking about physical activity and public health and gain more confidence. It was during this week that I learned from Russ Pate, the research course director, that the University of South Carolina was planning to post a job for a behavioral scientist, and he hoped I would apply.  And well, here I am, over 20 years later, in that very position!  Many years later I was asked to participate on the faculty for the course, which was a great honor (and yes, I felt very nervous the first time I presented in this role!).

First offered in 1995, the research and the practitioner courses have trained over 1,000 professionals from 49 states, Washington DC, and 25 countries. I’m very excited to share that we have obtained support to offer both the research course and the practitioner course in September of this year in Columbia, SC!  Russ Pate will direct the research course, and I will direct the practitioner course. We have a panel of leading researchers and practitioners in physical activity lined up, and I’m hopeful we can meet in person.

Please help us spread the news about the courses. The application deadline is June 1, 2021.  More information about the two courses can be found here.

- Sara Wilcox

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:

Update from the USC PRC Core Research Project

We are continuing to enroll churches in the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) Online Training Program! Two cohorts have taken part in the training and our next cohort will begin training in April 2021. ​The training includes eight self-paced weekly interactive lessons designed to teach churches how to create a healthier church environment. Churches learn how to increase opportunities, share messages, and create guidelines for physical activity and healthy eating at church, as well as how to enlist their pastor’s support in these initiatives. For churches meeting virtually, we also offer guidance on how to support safe and socially distanced physical activity and healthy eating. Please consider sharing information about FAN to others in your networks and communities.  To learn more about the training or to sign up to participate, please visit the PRC website.

As noted, we are excited to host the 2021 Physical Activity and Public Health courses this coming September! The courses will be held in Columbia, South Carolina. There are two course tracks offered: a course for Researchers (held September 14-21) and a course for Practitioners (held September 17-21). The Research course is designed to help post-doctoral individuals develop research competencies related to physical activity and public health, while the Practitioner course will engage practitioners in designing community-based initiatives to promote physical activity. More information about the courses is available online, and applications for both courses are due June 1.

Update from the South Carolina Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (SC-CPCRN) III

CHIP Mini-grant Program
SC-CPCRN awarded Community Health Intervention Program (CHIP) mini-grants to two organizations that have proposed evidence-based initiatives focused on cancer prevention with rural communities. The awardees are Trinity Baptist Church (Columbia, SC) - Promoting health screenings to rural community members and Upper Midlands Rural Health Network (Fairfield, SC) – Promoting physical activity through the use of walking trails. Grantees will each receive $10,000 for the implementation of their programs that aim to improve public health in rural areas of South Carolina.

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

Fall Prevention for Older Adults: Recommended Physical Activities

Stanford Medicine's Scope blog published a series of four articles on fall prevention for older adults that highlight physical activity as a key intervention for balance maintenance in this population. The first two articles focus on risk factors for falls among older adults and how to make homes safer for older adults who struggle with balance. The third article offers advice on accessible physical activities for older adults, including descriptions of activity types as well as equipment needed for the activities. The fourth article in the series focuses on physical activity options for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and offers advice on how to maintain activity through safe and socially distanced activities, such as online physical activity programs. All four articles are available on the Scope blog website.
[Source: Stanford Medicine Scope Blog]

WHO Updates Physical Activity Guidelines

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released updated physical activity guidelines to decrease high rates of sedentary behavior worldwide. The WHO recommends 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity per week for adults. This is updated from the previous guidelines, which only provided a minimum number of minutes for moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity. The updated guidelines also suggest that adults participate in muscle-strengthening activities involving all major muscle groups at least two days per week. Importantly, the guidelines include new recommendations for people living with disabilities, chronic conditions, and during pregnancy and postpartum. The WHO recommends that older adults (65 years and older) take part in “multi-component” physical activities involving balance, coordination and muscle strengthening at least three days per week to help prevent falls and other negative health outcomes.
[Source: WHO]

Healthy People 2030: Target-Setting Tools and Methods

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has released Healthy People 2030 analytical tools and target-setting methods for public use. The tools were developed in partnership with the National Center for Health Statistics, and are meant to assist communities and groups with setting targets for meeting Healthy People 2030 goals. The tools include a trend analysis tool as well as a percent improvement and minimal statistical significance tool, while the target-setting methods offer insight into how Healthy People objectives are set. Healthy People 2030 contains 27 physical activity objectives; 23 of which are baseline objectives that will require trend analyses going forward.
[Source: Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion]

The Benefits of Moderate Exercise

A recent study, published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, found that the positive impacts of standard, moderate workouts on blood pressure, body fat and other aspects of metabolism may be greater than after more intense, quick interval training. Medical and sports groups suggest individuals interval train no more than three times a week, to avoid over-straining muscles and cardiovascular systems (meaning individuals are inactive about four days a week). Guidelines for moderate activity suggest getting out and moving at least five times a week and for at least 30 minutes each time, meaning there are less days spent resting and sedentary. In addition, those who participate in more regular, moderate physical activity receive benefits like improved blood sugar control. Overall, the results indicate that intense interval training and more regular, moderate activity alter our bodies in different ways, and individuals should consider what they hope to achieve with physical activity when choosing their exercise routine.
[Source: New York Times]

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES:

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

Public Transit Relief Proposal Approved by House Committee

On February 10, 2021, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a COVID-19 relief proposal that includes $30 billion in funding for public transportation. The proposal was supported in an open letter signed by over 100 elected officials, cities, and organizations that recognize the dire need for public transportation funding after budget cuts throughout the pandemic. Funding would provide the necessary relief to ensure that public transit systems nationwide can continue to operate and serve millions of Americans, especially the estimated 2.8 million essential workers who rely on these systems. The proposal also allocates $1.5 billion to Amtrak and $8 billion for airports. The House Budget Committee will review the recommended Transportation and Infrastructure proposal before it moves to the House for a formal vote.
[Source: Transportation for America]

House Passes Major Public Lands Package

On February 26, 2021, the House of Representatives passed a conservation bill aimed at preserving land and water in Arizona, Colorado, California, and Washington state. The bill, called the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act, aims to provide extra protection to about 1.5 million acres of public lands by designating them as wilderness. The bill will also dedicate funding to cities for park projects in underserved communities, prevent new oil, gas, and mineral extraction on over 1.2 million acres of public land, and protect 1,000 miles of river land. Conservation and public health organizations, such as the City Parks Alliance, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the Sierra Club, support this effort to preserve parks and natural environments and thereby promote physical and mental well-being for U.S. residents. Although the bill has passed in the House, it could face an uphill battle in the Senate where it would need 60 votes to avoid a filibuster.
[Source: The Hill]

RESEARCH NOTES:

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Interventions in Faith-Based Settings: A Systematic Review Using the Reach, Effectiveness/Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance Framework

Faith-based health interventions have been shown to improve healthy eating and physical activity, yet few studies report design elements sufficient for large-scale implementation to take place. This systematic review examined the degree to which faith-based healthy eating and physical activity programs report intervention elements using the Reach, Effectiveness/Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) Framework. Results showed that most faith-based programs were conducted at the individual/interpersonal level and few included additional elements of policy or environmental change. Most faith-based interventions showed favorable changes in at least one health behavior outcome, yet no intervention addressed all RE-AIM framework indicators. The review highlights that more studies are needed that report on considerations for the translation and dissemination of empirically supported faith-based programs.
[Source: Dunn, Wilcox, Saunders, Kaczynski, Blake, & Turner-McGrievy (2021). Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Interventions in Faith-Based Settings: A Systematic Review Using the Reach, Effectiveness/Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance Framework. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.]

Why Are Individuals with Diabetes Less Active? The Mediating Role of Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Factors

Physical activity is known to play an important role in the treatment of diabetes, and yet many individuals with diabetes do not report engaging in recommended levels of physical activity. This study sought to analyze physical, emotional, and cognitive mechanisms underpinning physical inactivity among individuals with diabetes across age groups. Data were drawn from over 105,000 participants in the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe; regression models were used to examine variations in mediating variables (subjective energy, muscle strength, physical and cognitive disability, sleep problems, depressive symptoms, and cognitive functions) over a 13-year time period. Individuals with diabetes were found to be less physically active than those without diabetes and showed a steeper decline in physical activity with age. All mediators examined were significantly associated with physical activity, although physical and cognitive disability were most influential. These results demonstrate that physical inactivity among individuals with diabetes is the result of several complex physical, emotional, and cognitive factors.
[Source: Cheval, Maltagliati, Sieber, Beran, Chalabaev, Sander, Cullati, Boisgontier (2021). Why Are Individuals With Diabetes Less Active? The Mediating Role of Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Factors. Annals of Behavioral Medicine.]

The Impact of Schoolyard Greening on Children's Physical Activity and Socioemotional Health: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies

Access to schoolyards that contain greenery and natural or park-like environmental elements, as opposed to asphalt-based or more built environmental features, is associated with improvements in physical and mental health among students according to past research. This article reviewed experimental studies that examine the impact of schoolyard greening on physical activity and socioemotional health in children. Studies that met inclusion criteria for this review showed a positive impact of schoolyard greening on both physical activity and socioemotional health outcomes for students. In addition, this research suggests that exposure to greenery in schoolyards can reduce health inequities between children in low-income, urban neighborhoods with limited access to greenery and those growing up in high-income neighborhoods with high-quality greenery. Additional research is needed to expand on how local stakeholders can use schoolyard greening as a strategy to improve the health and well-being of children in their communities.
[Source: Bikomeye, Balza, & Beyer (2021). The Impact of Schoolyard Greening on Children’s Physical Activity and Socioemotional Health: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.]

Data and Policy to Guide Opening Schools Safely to Limit the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted how K-12 schools function worldwide, namely through changes to educational delivery as many schools now operate entirely online to reduce virus transmission. This review outlines scientific findings from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s research across 17 countries, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research conducted in Mississippi and in Wisconsin schools, from research on North Carolina school districts, and research on an outbreak in an Israeli school within historic Palestine. Despite study limitations, such as recall bias and non-experimental study design, available evidence from the Fall 2020 school semester indicated that the type of rapid spread frequently observed in congregate living facilities or worksites has not been as common in schools. Regardless, mitigation measures in schools that include in-person instruction are necessary to maintain low transmission rates, such as requiring face mask use, increasing physical distance in classrooms and common areas, using hybrid attendance models to prevent crowding, increasing room air ventilation, and expanding screening testing. Some school-related activities, such as social gatherings, practices, and competition related to sports teams, which showed limited adherence to mitigation measures, have increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among students and staff. Schools must commit to virus mitigation policies to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in educational settings, as well as in nearby communities.
[Source: Honein, Barrios, & Brooks (2021). Data and Policy to Guide Opening Schools Safely to Limit the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. The Journal of the American Medical Association.]

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

Shifting Focus to Physical Activity

The COVID-19 outbreak across the United States has caused a shift in physical activity program implementation and delivery of education for the 2020 and 2021 school years. Recent evidence has shown significant decreases in physical activity levels among youth in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, some schools are considering changes in programmatic priorities for the upcoming school year to address this decline. The Cooper Institute will focus on increasing physical activity levels of students using resources such as FitnessGram online learning modules, FitnessGram activity trackers, and FitnessGram videos. Other programs outlined on their website, such as the Healthy Zone School Program, address essential needs for families and schools during the pandemic, such as food insecurity, personal protective equipment, physical inactivity, and social emotional wellbeing.
[Source: FitnessGram]

America Walks Guide to Assessing Neighborhood Walkability

America Walks has published a resource guide to conducting neighborhood walk audits in partnership with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. Available resources include a video and a full resource packet. America Walks encourages individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to conduct walk audits in their neighborhoods to best understand how a broad range of community members engage with the built environment. The guide also advises engaging local leadership to bring attention to any structural impediments to mobility that are identified in the course of the audit.
[Source: America Walks] 

What Can a Body Do? How We Meet the Built World – A Conversation with Author Sara Hendren

America Walks hosted Sara Hendren for a webinar about her bookWhat Can a Body Do? How We Meet the Built World. Sara Hendren, design researcher, artist, and writer at Olin College, shares anecdotes and examples that helps listeners think about the inclusive or exclusive design of homes, workplaces, city streets, and other spaces. The host focuses on how people navigate public spaces with specific focus on the experiences of people with disabilities. She makes the point that streets, sidewalks, and other public infrastructure must be remade, edited, and altered to accommodate differing transportation needs. Additional resources are available for this webinar, such as a link to the host’s personal website, a recording transcript, and a slide deck.
[Source: America Walks]

SNAP-Ed Toolkit: Online Physical Activity Resources

The US Department of Agriculture SNAP-Ed Toolkit has recently been updated with new online resources for physical activity. The resources are categorized as either Physical Education, which are largely informational, or Physical Activity at Home, which are online fitness classes, movement breaks, and activities. The resources are also categorized by target age group/audience, available for youth, adults, families, older adults, and community partners. All materials and websites cited are free and publicly available.
[Source: SNAP-Ed Toolkit]   

Public Parks, Reimagined for the COVID Era

Public parks have become increasingly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, since social gatherings in outdoor spaces show much lower virus transmission compared to indoor spaces. In addition, local residents must maintain regular physical activity despite many free, recreational facilities being closed. Local stakeholders and planners are suggesting major renovations to public spaces to improve social and physical benefits, such as in Manhattan, Paris, and Barcelona. While similar renovations in the past were mostly focused on beautification and environmental uplift, these renovations are increasingly trying to address racial injustice and social distancing needs. Another major consideration in most cities is cost: many local city planners have experienced budget cuts due to the pandemic, so projects are increasingly funded by private organizations. More information on investments in public parks during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found here, and a tandem article on park resources available in U.S. cities can be found here.
[Source: Axios]  

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

Nine Cities Awarded Funding for Childhood Obesity Prevention

The United States Conference of Mayors and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthier America have awarded $745,000 in funding as a part of the 2021 Childhood Obesity Prevention and Environmental Health and Sustainability Awards. The funds will be shared by programs in nine cities across the U.S. Programs are diverse and innovative, and most focus both on healthy food access and on access to spaces for physical activity among populations at risk of childhood obesity. For example, the city of Gonzales, California intends to engage its youth council in the creation of a community garden and to plan family-focused recreation events with raffle prizes for participants. More information about the funded programs is available online.
[Source: PR Newswire]

Oklahoma State University Extension Project Helps Fight Childhood Obesity

Oklahoma State University Extension is helping students in the Westville Public School District develop safer walking and biking infrastructure and routes to school. Jessie Garcia, Oklahoma State University Extension educator, initiated this project after Westville City Council passed a resolution to adopt the Safe Routes to School program. In initial assessments, Garcia saw a need for many pedestrian resources, such as bike racks, improved crosswalks, speed bumps, and safe drop-off zones. Westville schools are in a rural environment, so students had previously become accustomed to poor maintenance of the streets and sidewalks that discourage active transport. Grant funding and financial assistance have led to important pedestrian improvements for students, despite some delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Improvements include twelve new crosswalks, the repainting of five existing crosswalks, four bike racks, seventy-two safety signs, thirty-nine sign poles, and four speed bumps. Funding from the Cherokee Nation allowed the street in front of the school to be repaved. Garcia stated that the next phase of the project is to revitalize a local park.
[Source: Muskogee Phoenix] 

Women's Sports Foundation Celebrates 35th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day

On February 3, 2021, the Women’s Sports Foundation hosted its 35th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day. The event was hosted virtually for the first time. Programming featured presentations from leading female athletes and journalists, as well as conversations to engage girls and women in sports advocacy. Participants also had the opportunity to speak with female Olympic and Paralympic athletes currently in training for the 2021 Tokyo games about their experiences with sport. The event culminated in the kickoff of the #LeadHerForward fitness challenge, in which Women’s Sports Foundation athletes invited women of all ages to join them in maintaining an active lifestyle.
[Source: PR Newswire] 

Walking Groups Try to Spark Interest in a Physical Activity Most People Can Enjoy

A recent article in the Wisconsin State Journal described local walking groups and initiatives as a way to stay active during the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of walking groups, such as Volkssport and Madison EverWalk, have experienced many mental, social, and physical benefits. For example, a Madison EverWalk member noted that walking groups helped with community building, neighborhood awareness, and knowledge of local business and artists. In addition, walking groups have allowed for social interaction between members. These programs are supported by scientific research, with one review reporting that outdoor walking group participants saw significant improvements in blood pressure, resting heart rate, body fat, lung function, and mood. The New York Times published a recent article describing the idea of “Awe Walks” which help people appreciate their natural environments and improve their own mental health.
[Source: Wisconsin State Journal] 

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

Writers: Kelsey Day 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.

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