QUARTER 2: April - June 2022 | 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 UofSC PRC Core Research Project
  • Update from the UofSC PRC Projects
  • Update from the South Carolina Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network II

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

  • Kids Run the Nation Grant Fund
  • 2022 Trail Fund Recipients Announced
  • New Report - Insights into How Exercise Goals and Habits Change with Age

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES

  • July, August, September

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON: 

  • Physical Activity Alliance Petitions Congress For $125M To Support Physical Activity
  • Presidential Proclamation on National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, 2022
  • Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Provides Dedicated Funding for Safety Projects that Prevent Fatalities, Serious Injuries

RESEARCH NOTES:

  • Nature-Based Early Childhood Education and Children’s Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Motor Competence, and Other Physical Health Outcomes: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review
  • Predictive Utility of Alternate Measures of Physical Activity and Diet for Overweight and Obesity in Low-Income Minority Women
  • Associations of Steps Per Day and Step Intensity with the Risk of diabetes: the Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)
  • Effects of a Digital Diabetes Prevention Program: An RCT

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

  • American Heart Association Active Living Support Portal
  • Webinar: Why We Need Active People for a Healthy Nation
  • Taking Steps Toward Mobility Justice: A Guide from Safe Routes Partnership

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

  • Outride Commits Over $450,000 in the U.S. to get More Kids on Bikes
  • New Program Helps Michigan Kids Maximize Physical Activity in the Classroom
  • Planet Fitness Offers Teens Free Summer Workouts for Mental, Physical Health

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

  • July, August, September

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR:

I hope that this newsletter finds you well. Summer is finally here! For those of us in academics, summer usually means having a chance to breathe a bit, perhaps taking a vacation, working on the things that are most meaningful for us (after we catch up from the end of the semester “to do” list), and finding a parking spot! I’m enjoying all these things and hope you are, too.

I’ll keep it short and sweet this time – thanks to each of you for subscribing to our newsletter. I hope that it gives you some new ideas and inspiration. The work that you (we) do is important – through physical activity, we help people attain health and wellbeing.

Have a great and safe summer, and I look forward to sharing again in the fall!

- Sara Wilcox

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:

Update from the USC PRC Core Research Project

USC’s core research project, the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) Online Training Program, is currently recruiting churches for our final sessions this summer. The next session will launch in July, with the last currently scheduled session beginning mid-August. The online training consists of eight self-paced lessons that aim to teach churches how to create healthier environments through increasing opportunities, sharing messages, creating policies that promote physical activity and healthy eating, as well as ways to enlist their pastor’s support. To learn more about the training or to sign up to participate, please visit the PRC’s website or contact the program coordinator, Jessica Stucker at 877-971-5259 or at FAN4Life@mailbox.sc.edu.

Physical Activity and Public Health Courses

The 2022 Physical Activity and Public Health Courses will be held in Columbia, SC in September. Both the Postgraduate Course on Research Directions and Strategies (led by Russ Pate) and the Practitioner’s Course on Community Interventions (led by Sara Wilcox) will be held.

Updates from the UofSC PRC Projects

Vaccine Promotion Project
In collaboration with the South Carolina Community Health Worker Association, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and Palmetto Aids Life Support Services, the PRC’s vaccine promotion project, led by Dr. Shan Qiao, has engaged and trained 230 peer advocates across the 19 targeted counties with high African American populations. The project and team, sponsored by the CDC, has alsoconducted one-on-one promotion among over 1500 contacts within local communities. The project team also had an opportunity to present on the implementation and progress of the project through the CDC’s Vaccine Confidence Network workshop.

Arthritis SIP Project
The UofSC Arthritis SIP project, Phone-Based Walk with Ease Program, has been recruiting since March and is off to a great start! The Walk With Ease Program is an evidence-based in-person program from the Arthritis Foundation that has now been converted into a phone delivered program. The 6-week Phone-Based Walk With Ease program consists of two telephone calls each week and is designed to help people with arthritis increase their walking. Recruitment is still open, so if you’d like to participate or know somebody who may be interested, please contact us or visit our website at https://uofscwalkingstudy.com/ for more information! Our project coordinator, Krystal Cooper, can be reached by phone at 803-576-7836 or by email at uofscwalkingstudy@mailbox.sc.edu.

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

The Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN) hosted their annual meeting in Denver, Colorado in late May. Three members of the SC-CPCRN were able to attend in-person with the other members joining virtually. The meeting served to set the groundwork for what the network hopes to achieve in the last 2.5 years of the current funding cycle.

Dr. Jan Eberth was recently appointed to the dual role of Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Management and Policy at the Drexel University School of Public Health. We wish Dr. Eberth all the best and look forward to our continued collaboration within SC-CPCRN.

Jingxi Sheng, SC-CPCRN graduate student, is a recipient of the 2022 Donna and Andrew Sorensen Graduate Student Fellowship for Cancer Research. She also accepted a postdoctoral trainee position within the School of Nursing’s Postdoctoral Pathways Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

Kids Run the Nation Grant Fund

Applications are currently being accepted for the Kids Run the Nation grant program, which is funded by the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). Since 2007, the RRCA has awarded over $300,000 to Kids Run the Nation grant recipients. The program assists running clubs, schools, and community organizations in coordinating and offering youth running programs. Eligible applicants include individuals working in schools, PTAs, or 501(c)(3) organizations. Awards range from $500 to $1000. Applications close on August 1, 2022, and winners will be notified by September 1, 2022. The application can be completed online.
[Source: Road Runners Club of America]

2022 Trail Fund Recipients Announced

In their inaugural year of funding, the American Trails’ Trail Fund has announced the seven projects awarded grant funding for the 2022 cycle. With over 291 applications received, the competitive selection resulted in the seven projects receiving a grand total of over $50,000 that each recipient will use to initiate projects that support capacity building, park and trail construction, renovations, and upkeep. The American Trails organization aims to advance diverse and high-quality trails and greenways through increased awareness, collaborative efforts, and community education. More information about the seven project winners and their upcoming projects is available on their website.
[Source: American Trails]

New Report Reveals Surprising Insights into How Exercise Goals and Habits Change with Age

In response to Mental Health Awareness Month and Older Americans Month, Bold, a digital health and wellness company focused on active and healthy aging and disease prevention, recently released their findings from a survey looking at the current state of exercise, health, and aging among U.S. older adults. They analyzed over 1,000 responses from Americans over the age of 50 about their overall experiences with aging, including attitudes and behaviors. The survey responses revealed common experiences in exercise motivations and habits as age increases, the association of ageism with poorer mental health outcomes and bridging the gap between health education and action. These data may be used to better understand how to increase participation in physical activity among older adults.
[Source: Cision PR Newswire]

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES:

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

Physical Activity Alliance Petitions Congress For $125M To Support Physical Activity

The Physical Activity Alliance submitted a petition to the Senate Appropriations Committee for $125 million in funding for the 2023 fiscal year to support the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. The petition specifies that $10 million of the funds should directly support Active People Healthy Nation and $15 million should support the High Obesity Program. The petition highlights the substantial and numerous benefits of regular physical activity and urges the Senate members to consider prioritizing Americans’ health, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The petition was signed by 29 additional organizations that work to promote physical activity. 
[Source: American College of Sports Medicine]

Presidential Proclamation on National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

On April 29, 2022, President Biden issued a proclamation that designated May 2022 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. In the statement, President Biden acknowledged how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequities in physical activity and he urged local communities to provide physical activity opportunities for all individuals. The President also encouraged Americans to pursue daily physical activity and cited the well-known physical and mental benefits of an active lifestyle. Finally, the President announced that he issued an Executive Order to renew the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.
[Source: White House]

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Provides Dedicated Funding for Safety Projects that Prevent Fatalities, Serious Injuries

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced the opening of applications for their Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant funding program (SS4A). Through this application process, all communities, community groups, planning organizations, and many other outlined applicants may apply for funds in the 2022 fiscal year to ensure safer streets through improved roadway safety. SS4A aims to reduce and ultimately prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries by supporting various communities in creating comprehensive safety action plans and implementing projects that comply with the Safe System Approach and that also consider equitable and climate friendly solutions. The application process has been streamlined for different types of community applicants. Applications for SS4A funding are due by September 15, 2022; however, the Department will host a slate of webinars to help orient potential applicants to the SS4A grant funding application process. More information about the SS4A Grant Program, application process, and other dates and resources can be found through the U.S. Department of Transportation's website.
[Source: U.S .Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration]

RESEARCH NOTES:

Nature-Based Early Childhood Education and Children’s Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Motor Competence, and Other Physical Health Outcomes: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review

Traditional early childhood education (ECE) often takes place indoors, and time outside is characterized by interaction with man-made structures like swing sets. Nature-based ECE is an emerging form of education in which children are immersed and playing in nature for most of the school day. However, little is known about whether ECE results in benefits to physical health and development. Researchers in this review analyzed findings from 39 different studies of nature-based ECE and physical activity or motor outcomes. They found that there was a positive association between nature-based ECE and balance, and a negative association between nature-based ECE and sedentary time. However, the study quality for over half of the included studies was categorized as weak. The authors recommend more controlled experimental studies to fully assess the impact of nature-based ECE. 
[Source: Johnstone, Avril, Paul McCrorie, Rita Cordovil, Ingunn Fjørtoft, Susanna Iivonen, Boris Jidovtseff, Frederico Lopes et al. "Nature-Based Early Childhood Education and Children’s Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Motor Competence, and Other Physical Health Outcomes: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review." Journal of Physical Activity and Health 19, no. 6 (2022): 456-472.]

Predictive Utility of Alternate Measures of Physical Activity and Diet for Overweight and Obesity in Low-Income Minority Women

Although there are numerous measures of diet and physical activity available, most have been validated in samples consisting predominantly of white individuals. Further, these measures vary in terms of cost, validity, and participant burden. To address these issues, researchers in this study sought to analyze how single-item measures of physical activity and diet compared to longer and more time-intensive measures to predict risk of overweight or obesity among minority women. They used multinomial logistic regression models starting with least resource-intensive measures of diet and physical activity (single items) and subsequently added more resource-intensive measures to the models and assessed model performance. Ultimately, they found that resource-intensive measures of both diet and physical activity did not improve relative risk estimates for obesity among participants compared to one-item measures. The authors suggest that one-item measures may be appropriate to predict risk of overweight/obesity among low-income minority women.
[Liu, Ying, Victoria Shier, Sara Ellen King, and Ashlesha Datar. "Predictive Utility of Alternate Measures of Physical Activity and Diet for Overweight and Obesity in Low-Income Minority Women." American Journal of Health Promotion (2022): 08901171211069992.] 

Associations of Steps Per Day and Step Intensity with the Risk of Diabetes: The Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

In a cohort study focusing exclusively on Hispanic and Latino populations within four metropolitan U.S. states, the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study for Latinos (HCHS/SOL) was conducted from 2008 through 2017 to assess the association between steps taken during the day and step intensity with the onset of diabetes. It is well established that moderate to vigorous physical activity is a predictor of lower incidence risk of diabetes. In this study, the authors used mixed methods of in-person examinations, questionnaires, and objective measures to evaluate the 6634 eligible adult participants between the ages of 18 and 74. Using participant responses and multi-stage data analysis, the researchers were able to associate baseline accelerometer data (steps/day and step intensity) with six-year risk of diabetes incidence. They found that most participants averaged over 8,000 steps/day and spent around 12 minutes at moderate intensity. The authors concluded that accumulating more steps during the day and a greater step intensity were associated with a reduced risk of diabetes among older adults and those with overweight and obesity. Overall, this study suggests that adults may be able to mitigate diabetes risk and onset through increasing daily steps and activity intensity.
[Source: Cuthbertson, C.C., Moore, C.C., Sotres-Alvarez, D., Heiss, G., Isasi, C.R., Mossavar- Rahmani, Y., Carlson, J.A., Gallo, L.C., Garcia- Bedoya, O.L., Goldszsztajn Farelo, D., Evenson, K.R. Associations of steps per day and step intensity with the risk of diabetes: the Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 19, 46 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-022-01284-2]

Effects of a Digital Diabetes Prevention Program: An RCT

Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPPs) are clinically proven to be effective interventions for the prevention of diabetes. Digital-DPPs (d-DPPs) are useful in expanding DPPs’ reach and accessibility, although there is need for more significant evidence-based research in this area. This blinded, randomized control study used 599 volunteer participants with prediabetes as a sample group to evaluate the effectiveness of a 52-week session d-DPP in comparison to a standard single-session diabetes prevention education class. The main and secondary outcomes of the study were changes in HbA1c from baseline to 12 months, and changes in body weight and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed over time. More of the participants in the d-DPP group had significant weight loss and HbA1c ranges that shifted from prediabetes to normal. Ultimately, the study was found to be clinically effective and concluded that engaging in the digital DPP was significantly associated with improved health outcomes. These findings underscore the significant potential that digital programs and telehealth medicine have in increasing reach and accessibility in preventative health services.
[Source: Katula, J. A., Dressler, E. V., Kittel, C. A., Harvin, L. N., Almeida, F. A., Wilson, K. E., Michaud, T. L., Porter, G. C., Brito, F. A., Goessl, C. L., Jasik, C. B., Sweet, C. M. C., Schwab, R., & Estabrooks, P. A.. (2022). Effects of a Digital Diabetes Prevention Program: An RCT. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 62(4), 567–577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2021.10.023]

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

Webinar: Why We Need Active People for a Healthy Nation

The Physical Activity Alliance recently hosted a webinar titled, “Why We Need Active People for a Healthy Nation.” The webinar focused on the CDC’s Active People, Healthy Nation, and particularly the CDC’s goal of empowering 27 million more Americans to be active by 2027. The presenters focused on effective strategies to promote physical activity at the individual, community, and policy levels. They also highlighted the resources available on the CDC’s website to enable community-level physical activity promotion. The webinar was the first in the Physical Activity Alliance’s 2022 Year of Active People Healthy Nation webinar series; information on future webinars will be available on the Physical Activity Alliance website.
[Source: Physical Activity Alliance]

Taking Steps Toward Mobility Justice: An Invitation to Learn More and Take Action

Safe Routes Partnership has newly provided resources and actionable steps to assist nonprofits and community organizers in increasing equitable and safe transportation systems. The resource guide outlines three key steps to taking action in working toward addressing transportation inequities and advocating for mobility justice: 1) partnering with community members, 2) prioritizing communities’ desires and elevate their leadership, and 3) advocating for funding that align with their community’s vison. Safe Routes has provided multiple primers and reading materials underscoring the historical contexts of injustice in the transportation system, and the principles of mobility justice. Along with guided action steps that assist community advocates in educating themselves and agencies on the importance of mobility justice, tips and materials to better engage communities and procure and allocate funding for projects are also provided.
[Source: Safe Routes Partnership]

American Heart Association Active Living Portal

The American Heart Association (AHA) has launched an online portal containing resources to support active living policies in communities. The portal contains a resource library focused on developing policies that support bike and walk infrastructure, such as Complete Streets. The portal also includes a support feature, where users can submit questions or request support with policy initiatives from AHA staff. All resources on the portal are free and publicly available.
[Source: American Heart Association]

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

New Program Helps Michigan Kids Maximize Physical Activity in the Classroom

As a part of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, elementary schools statewide are launching and engaging in InPACT (Interrupting prolonged sitting activity) at school. InPACT is structured to educate and provide resources for teachers and instructors to integrate up to 20 minutes of physical activity into daily classroom sessions. Doing so has shown to not only provide physical health benefits, but also to improve attention span, learning, and behavior. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, InPAct was converted to a format made more accessible to virtual classrooms and at-home learning. Now, work is underway to combine both programs to help maximize the amount of physical activity children receive at school and home to meet the CDC’s recommendations for physical activity of 60 minutes per day for school-aged children.
[Source: Second Wave Michigan ]

Planet Fitness Offers Teens Free Summer Workouts for Mental, Physical Health

In an effort to provide a “safe, welcoming, and judgment-free environment,” American and Canadian Planet Fitness locations are offering free gym access to teenagers aged 14 to 19 as a part of their High School Summer Pass initiative. The initiative includes over 2,000 Planet Fitness locations that will provide not only gym access, but also trainer led workout videos and age appropriate workouts over a three-and-a-half month time frame. Teens enrolled in the High School Summer Program are also entered into Planet Fitness’ $500 scholarship sweepstakes for each state, with the chance of also winning the $5,000 grand prize scholarship at the end of the summer. After commissioning a study on teen mental and physical health, Planet Fitness found that 48% of teens struggled with mental health due to the pandemic and that over half of the respondents were currently dealing with anxiety. In response, the High School Summer Pass, formerly Teen Summer Challenge, was born. More information about the High School Summer Pass initiative can be found online or at local Planet Fitness locations.
[Source: AL News]

Outride Commits Over $450,000 in the U.S. to get More Kids on Bikes

Outride, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth through cycling, recently announced $462,000 in matching grant funds to support 44 youth cycling organizations and initiatives across the country. They specifically prioritized funding initiatives that would increase access to cycling among LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals, as well as youth from economically marginalized communities. Recently funded programs include Fearless Flyers, an NYC-based group that helps LGBTQIA+ individuals combat isolation through physical activity, specifically cycling. The California Field School Freewheel program, a bike club for girls and gender non-conforming individuals, also received funding.
[Source: Outside Magazine]

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

July

AUGUST

Writers: Kelsey Day and Jasmin Parker-Brown

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 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.