QUARTER 4: October - December 2022 | USC-PRC Notes

"Promoting Health through Physical Activity"

Topics in this issue

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR

UofSC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:

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

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

  • CDC Publishes 2021 BRFSS Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps
  • NSBA Advocates for More Inclusive and Equitable Physical Education

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES

  • January, February, March

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON: 

  • Physical Activity Alliance Hosts Congressional Briefing on Physical Activity and National Security
  • Active Transportation, Safe Routes to School, and Access to Parks in the Biden-Harris National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health

RESEARCH NOTES:

  • Setting Your Clock: Associations Between Timing of Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in the General Population
  • Improvements and Maintenance of Clinical and Functional Measures Among Rural Women: Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities-2.0 Cluster Randomized Trial
  • Association Between Regular Physical Activity and the Protective Effect of Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2 in a South African Case–Control Study
  • European Journal of Public Health Supplement: Creating Evidence for Public Policies to Improve Diet and Physical Activity Behaviours in Europe

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

  • Physical Activity Alliance Releases 2022 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
  • NCCOR Economic Indicators Library
  • Workplace Physical Activity Assessment: Standardized Measures
  • WHO Global Status Report on Physical Activity

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

  • IOC-WHO Program Builds Healthy Communities Through Sport
  • Boston YMCA Promotes Community Health Through Body Positivity and Fitness
  • New York, NY Fitness Program Aims to Improve Health of Local Seniors
  • McCormick, SC Library Receives $15k to Construct New Playground & Park

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

  • January, February, March

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR:

Happy Holidays!

2022 has been a good year! Our Center has several things to celebrate – we hit our recruitment goal of enrolling 100 churches for our national implementation study (yay!); we were awarded two new Special Interest Projects (SIPs) from the CDC; we offered the Physical Activity and Public Health Practitioner’s course for the first time since 2019 (it went very well!); and one of our doctoral graduate assistants (Kelsey Day) successfully defended her dissertation proposal!

At both work and home, we have traditions that allow us to pause, reflect, and be grateful. On our Center’s holiday card, we include the highlights of the year. This has been a great way to reflect and say “wow – we accomplished a lot this year!” We also see each year that without our many partners, these accomplishments could not happen. At home, my family has two traditions that serve the same purpose – to foster gratitude and to remind us to pause and reflect on the past year. First, in our annual holiday card, each family members chooses highlights from the year to share with friends and family. I usually go through our year’s photos to remind myself of events and memories since January. Almost always, my kids will say, “wait, that was THIS year?” Second, I make a family video of photos and short video clips set to music that chronicles our family’s year. I like to capture the “big” and the “small” memories. I work on this as we drive to the Midwest, and I always have it done on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, and we watch it as a family (it’s also a great way for me to get my photos/videos for the year organized and named).

Updating my CV, something I do this time of the year for my annual review, has a similar feel. Sometimes it feels like we aren’t doing enough – there is always more to do! But this task helps me see what has been accomplished with colleagues, staff, students, and community members.

I hope that during the holiday season, you have a moment to hit the “pause” button and truly reflect on your year and your joys and accomplishments, both at work and with your family and friends!

I wish you the happiest of holidays and a Happy New Year!

- Sara Wilcox

UofSC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATES:

Update from the UofSC PRC Core Research Project

The PRC has surpassed the enrollment goal for the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) Online Training Program. 107 diverse churches from 21 states across the U.S. enrolled in the training. The FAN Online Training is still available to interested churches with new sessions beginning monthly in 2023.

Update from the UofSC PRC:

The PRC has released the second episode of its Physical Activity and Public Health Podcast. In this episode, the PRC’s Andrew Kaczynski is joined by Dr. Jay Maddock for a conversation on nature and health. Andy and Jay discuss the importance of nature and its integral role in public health, as well as key considerations around COVID-19’s influence and addressing equity and disparities within the nature and public health space. Episode 2 of the podcast can be found here.

As we end this year, we want to say thank you to all who have contributed to and supported our work. With support from many partners, the PRC has:

  • Been awarded 3 new grants – 2 from CDC and 1 from NIH.
  • Surpassed our Faith, Activity, and Nutrition recruitment goal by enrolling 107 churches from 21 U.S. states.
  • Co-hosted the Physical Activity & Public Health Courses with 1 7 practitioners, 27 researchers, and 24 faculty.
  • Created a podcast on nature, physical activity, and health with Dr. Jay Maddock, Director of the Center for Health & Nature at Texas A&M University.
  • Hosted 8 physical activity and public health professional development seminars.
  • Convened 2 Community Advisory Board meetings.
  • Provided training experiences for 8 students.
  • Published 19 articles and 4 plain language briefs.
  • Disseminated 4 quarterly e-Newsletters.

Update from the South Carolina Cancer Prevention and

Control Research Network (SC-CPCRN) III

The SC-CPCRN Community Health Intervention Program (CHIP) is awarding two community organizations, the South Carolina Witness Project and the South Carolina Alliance of YMCAs, $10,000 each to implement evidence-based cancer prevention and control programs. The South Carolina Witness Project proposed project plans to increase capacity, awareness, and collaboration aimed at early detection and screening for breast and cervical cancer. The South Carolina Alliance of YMCAs proposed project plans to implement an evidence-based program that will improve exercise retention rates for cancer survivor graduates from LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program. The CHIP funding and proposed projects will begin in early January through the end of September.

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

CDC Publishes 2021 BRFSS Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published new adult obesity prevalence maps based on 2021 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The maps include data for 49 states (Florida was excluded due to insufficient data) as well as three territories. Overall obesity prevalence maps are available, as are those that depict differences by race/ethnicity. In general, the data demonstrate that some groups experience a greater burden of obesity. For example, states located in the South and Midwest tended to have a higher prevalence of obesity. The maps are available for download on the CDC website.
[Source: CDC]

NSBA Advocates for More Inclusive and Equitable Physical Education

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) published an article in their October 2022 journal titled, “Rethink PE.” The article advocates for more inclusivity, equity, and support in physical education (PE) programs, and is based on antiracist guidance for PE educators published by researchers at Kennesaw State University and Towson University. The article acknowledges disparities in physical education programs for students of color: a 2017 analysis of New York public schools found that Black students receive less PE time and often have inadequate PE facilities. The article also calls for more teacher diversity in PE, as well as more funding for teacher training in health equity. As a part of the NSBA’s commitment to support equity in PE, they are launching an online training community for teachers and school leaders.
[Source: NSBA]

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES:

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON:

Physical Activity Alliance Hosts Congressional Briefing on Physical Activity and National Security

The National Physical Activity Alliance recently hosted a congressional briefing on physical activity and national security. The briefing was based on a report published in July 2022, that details the addition of the Military Sector to the National Physical Activity Plan. The briefing highlighted the threats of physical inactivity to national defense and security, namely the potential negative effects of poor physical fitness among prospective, current, and former armed service members. The briefing also focused on strategies to improve physical activity among service members as outlined in the National Physical Activity Plan. A recording of the congressional briefing is available online.
[Source: National Physical Activity Alliance]

Active Transportation, Safe Routes to School, and Access to Parks in the Biden-Harris National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health

The Biden-Harris Administration has released its National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health which outlines goals and action steps to end hunger, increase access to quality-rich foods, and support physical activity for Americans. Released as a precursor to the second White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, the strategy highlights key areas of focus including active transportation, equitable access to nature through the creation and accessibility of more green spaces, and supports for physical activity for adults and children. The strategy also expounds on plans for the expansion of the CDC’s Safe Routes to School programs, which the Administration aims to extend to all 50 states. Finally, the strategy outlines plans to enhance the accessibility of government resources to ensure the equitable implementation of these action steps. Details on the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health and its areas of focus are available online.
[Source: Safe Routes Partnership]

RESEARCH NOTES:

Setting Your Clock: Associations Between Timing of Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in the General Population

In a study carried out using the UK-Biobank, researchers linked daily physical activity (chronoactivity) to associations of cardiovascular disease (CVD) incident risks among 86,657 participants (58% women). Daily physical activity time and level were collected objectively using an accelerometer over seven days between February 2013 and December 2015. Overall, 3,707 CVD incidents were reported. Through multiple layers of stratification and statistical analysis, the authors found that participants who were more physically active during late mornings (8:00 am - 11:00 am) were found to have a 16% decrease in coronary artery disease incidence compared to individuals who were physically active during late evening hours (12:00 pm -6:00 am). The study highlights the importance of physical activity timing in CVD risk prevention strategies.
[Source:European Journal of Preventive Cardiology]

Improvements and Maintenance of Clinical and Functional Measures Among Rural Women: Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities-2.0 Cluster Randomized Trial

While cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., different groups, namely women and rural residents, are disproportionately affected. Researchers in this study conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial in rural and medically underserved communities to examine the effects of a multilevel physical activity and dietary intervention for older women at risk of cardiovascular disease. The intervention provided 24 weeks of exercise classes, nutrition education, and community engagement opportunities around food and physical activity environments. At the intervention conclusion, women in the intervention group showed significant improvements in body weight and cardiovascular disease risk factors compared to those in the control group. Further, at 24-week follow up, women in the intervention group had maintained or further improved their weight status. These results demonstrate that small changes to dietary and physical activity behaviors and environments across multiple dimensions of the social-ecological model may yield substantial health benefits for rural women at risk of cardiovascular disease.
[Source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes]

Association Between Regular Physical Activity and the Protective Effect of Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2 in a South African Case–Control Study

Researchers in this study are among the first to report the association between objectively measured physical activity (PA) levels and vaccination effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalization. This retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the largest health system in South Africa, including wearable device data, vaccination records, and COVID-19 status. The authors created three definite groups for comparison: individuals with low PA (n=53,771); moderate PA (n=62,721); and high PA levels (n=79,952) were grouped accordingly and then stratified by vaccination status. Within each category, vaccination effectiveness against hospitalization due to COVID-19 was higher among those with higher PA levels. The study highlights importance of PA along with vaccination uptake in messaging and prevention strategies for COVID-19.
[Source: British Journal of Sports Medicine]

European Journal of Public Health Supplement: Creating Evidence for Public Policies to Improve Diet and Physical Activity Behaviours in Europe

The European Journal of Public Health recently published a special, open-access issue titled, “Creating Evidence for Public Policies to Improve Diet and Physical Activity Behaviours in Europe.” The issues comprises 13 manuscripts that resulted from the work of the Policy Evaluation Network (PEN), a project to evaluate physical activity and dietary policies in Europe that took place from 2019-2022. Articles in the issue include those that address standard definitions of food and physical activity policies, as well as frameworks for analyzing policies in communities. The issue also includes several reviews regarding the implementation of food and physical activity policies in different municipalities. The full issue is available online.
[Source: European Journal of Public Health]

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES:

Physical Activity Alliance Releases 2022 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

The Physical Activity Alliance has released its 2022 report on physical activity (PA) for children and youth in the U.S. As a part of the National Physical Activity Plan, the 2022 report card is the fourth report to be updated and released. The report summarizes the surveillance data collected on American youths’ PA and sedentary trends, highlights facilitators and barriers to PA, and outlines health outcomes associated with physical inactivity. This report card also offers statistics and in-depth scoring that allows advocates and stakeholders to relay the need for enhanced action in PA uptake in American youth, and emphasizes the distinct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on current youth health outcomes. The report can be found on the Physical Activity Alliance website along with other supplemental materials and information.
[Source: Physical Activity Alliance]

National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research Economic Indicators Library

The National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research (NCCOR) recently developed an economic indicators library with the goal of helping public health practitioners and researchers measure the benefits of activity-friendly communities. The library currently includes information on ten different indicators: three pertaining to healthy environments, six pertaining to healthy economies, and one pertaining to healthy people. The indicators were drawn from a 2021 study that identified a set of key economic indicators to measure the economic value of built environments that support physical activity. For each indicator, the NCCOR library offers insight on how to measure aspects of the indicator in communities and explains how individuals may benefit from the indicator. The entire library is publicly accessible on the NCCOR website.
[Source: NCCOR]

Workplace Physical Activity Assessment: Standardized Measures

In partnership with The Physical Activity Alliance, the Physical Activity Policy Research & Evaluation Network and the American Council on Exercise have released two new infographics to inform employers on the importance of physical activity (PA) within the workforce. These graphics outline the use of standardized PA measures, and an easy assessment guide to track PA at work. Both graphics and additional details can be found on the Physical Activity Alliance site.
[Source: Physical Activity Alliance]

WHO Global Status Report on Physical Activity

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first global status report on physical activity. The report is an assessment of each country’s implementation of the policy recommendations outlined in the 2018-2030 Global Action Plan on Physical Activity. The report also includes an economic analysis of the healthcare burden associated with physical inactivity in each country. Overall, global progress toward the physical activity policy actions has been slow, and only two policy indicators show implementation by most countries: 1) surveillance of physical activity and 2) the presence of national road safety design standards for pedestrians and cyclists. Further, the report estimates that without any change in the current prevalence of physical inactivity, healthcare costs of treating illness resulting from physical inactivity will reach $27 billion annually. The report also issues a call to action to improve physical activity policies and environments to improve health globally. The full report is available online.
[Source: World Health Organization]

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES:

IOC-WHO Program Builds Healthy Communities Through Sport

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen the role of sport in communities. The program is informed by the WHO’s 2018-2030 Global Action Plan on Physical Activity and aims to help communities meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The program has three objectives: 1) to improve access to sports among more diverse populations; 2) to increase knowledge about the benefits of sport participation and physical activity; and 3) to strengthen planning and investment in sport and physical activity policies in communities. Experts from both the IOC and the WHO will provide resources and guidance to local organizations working to improve sport participation and community physical activity.
[Source: International Olympic Committee]

Boston YMCA Promotes Community Health Through Body Positivity and Fitness

At the Roxbury YMCA, located in Boston, MA, head trainer Pedro Garcia works to promote community health and encourage body positivity. “I like the idea of me being able to assist these people that are similar to me with their health, stress and confidence,” Garcia stated, when asked why focusing on this community’s health needs are important to him. He also emphasized the importance of integrating body positivity through each interaction with YMCA patrons, from the school-aged children that frequent the courts to the adults that take his classes and work with him one-on-one. Garcia notes his appreciation and positivity toward the future in being able to help lead and continue assisting the community being built at the Roxbury YMCA.
[Source: The Boston Scope]

New York, NY Fitness Program Aims to Improve Health of Local Seniors

The Armory Foundation and the Columbia University Office of Community Service Programs have partnered to offer the Seniors AIM High program. The program offers free fitness classes, facilities, access to coaches and health consultants for community seniors aged 60 and older. Coaches from The Armory lead fitness classes followed by health conversations from Columbia University physicians every Tuesday for over 100 local senior citizens. The program emphasizes sustainable physical activity, body positivity, and community building to encourage older adults to continue to thrive.
[Source: Columbia University Irving Medical Center]

McCormick, SC Library Receives $15k to Construct New Playground & Park

A county library in McCormick, South Carolina, has been awarded a $15,000 playground construction grant from the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. The funds were awarded as a part of the Let’s Play initiative, which aims to ensure that every child has access to a safe play space within walking distance. With the grant funding, the McCormick library plans to purchase playground equipment for a new park that is under construction on the library grounds. The library hopes that the addition of the playground will draw more families with young children to the library so that they may benefit from its numerous amenities.
[Source: South Carolina State Library]

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS:

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

Writers: Kelsey Day and Jasmin Parker-Brown

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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.