scholarly journals Enablers and barriers English secondary schools face in promoting healthy diet and physical activity behaviours

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla McHugh ◽  
Jenny Lloyd ◽  
Stuart Logan ◽  
Katrina Wyatt
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
School Activities ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
Health Promoting School ◽  
Emerging Themes

Summary This study sought to understand the current challenges mainstream secondary schools in England face in creating a health promoting school culture for diet and physical activity behaviours. An in-depth qualitative case study of two purposely selected state-funded schools, including interviews with teachers, observations of school activities including meal breaks and a qualitative survey with parents was done. Inductive thematic analysis was used to explore emerging themes. Additional interviews with the leadership team from four further schools were used to develop and refine emerging themes. Four main themes emerged from the data: competing pressures, school environment, personnel and policy. Results demonstrate that schools recognize they have role to play in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours to pupils; however, several significant barriers were identified such as lack of government support and regulation, school structures and organization, focus on core subjects, business-run canteens and lack of family and community engagement. Given the importance of maintaining a healthy weight throughout the life course, schools have an important role to play in creating healthy environments in which students can easily make a healthy choice. Future school promotion initiatives need to consider addressing the barriers that schools face by working with them and the communities in which they are embedded.

scholarly journals Individual-Level Determinants of Lifestyle Behavioral Changes during COVID-19 Lockdown in the United States: Results of an Online Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4364
Author(s):  
Xiaotao Zhang ◽  
Abiodun Oluyomi ◽  
LeChauncy Woodard ◽  
Syed Ahsan Raza ◽  
Maral Adel Fahmideh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviors ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors

This study examined individual-level determinants of self-reported changes in healthy (diet and physical activity) and addictive (alcohol use, smoking, and vaping) lifestyle behaviors during the initial COVID-19 lockdown period in the USA. A national online survey was administered between May and June 2020 that targeted a representative U.S. sample and yielded data from 1276 respondents, including 58% male and 50% racial/ethnic minorities. We used univariate and multivariable linear regression models to examine the associations of sociodemographic, mental health, and behavioral determinants with self-reported changes in lifestyle behaviors. Some study participants reported increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors since the pandemic (i.e., 36% increased healthy eating behaviors, and 33% increased physical activity). However, they also reported increases in addictive lifestyle behaviors including alcohol use (40%), tobacco use (41%), and vaping (46%). With regard to individual-level determinants, individuals who reported adhering to social distancing guidelines were also more likely to report increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors (β = 0.12, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.21). Conversely, women (β = −0.37, 95% CI −0.62 to −0.12), and unemployed individuals (β = −0.33, 95% CI −0.64 to −0.02) were less likely to report increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors. In addition, individuals reporting anxiety were more likely to report increases in addictive behaviors (β = 0.26, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.43). Taken together, these findings suggest that women and unemployed individuals may benefit from interventions targeting diet and physical activity, and that individuals reporting anxiety may benefit from interventions targeting smoking and alcohol cessation to address lifestyle changes during the pandemic.

Tweeting to Health

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlene E. Chung ◽  
Asheley C. Skinner ◽  
Stephanie E. Hasty ◽  
Eliana M. Perrin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Physical Activity Intensity ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽  
Mhealth Intervention ◽  
Activity Intensity

We developed and pilot tested a mHealth intervention, “Tweeting to Health,” which used Fitbits, Twitter, and gamification to facilitate support for healthy lifestyle changes in overweight/obese (OW) and healthy weight (HW) young adults. Participants tracked activity and diet using Fitbits and used Twitter for messaging for 2 months. Physical activity, dietary intake, and Tweets were tracked and participants completed surveys at enrollment, 1 month, and 2 months. Descriptive statistics were used to examine steps/day, physical activity intensity, lifestyle changes, and total Tweets. Participants were on average 19 to 20 years old and had familiarity with Twitter. OW participants had on average 11 222 daily steps versus 11 686 (HW). One-day challenges were successful in increasing steps. Participants increased fruit/vegetable intake (92%) and decreased their sugar-sweetened beverage intake (67%). Compliance with daily Fitbit wear (99% of all days OW vs 73% HW) and daily dietary logging (82% OW vs 73% HW) and satisfaction was high.

Relationships between physical activity, food choices, gender and BMI in Southern Californian teenagers

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaclyn B. Gaylis ◽  
Susan S. Levy ◽  
Shiloah Kviatkovsky ◽  
Rebecca DeHamer ◽  
Mee Young Hong
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Red Meat ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Given the increased prevalence of pediatric obesity and risk of developing chronic disease, there has been great interest in preventing these conditions during childhood by focusing on healthy lifestyle habits, including nutritious eating and physical activity (PA). The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between PA, body mass index (BMI) and food choices in adolescent males and females. This cross-sectional study, using a survey questionnaire, evaluated 1212 Southern Californian adolescents’ self-reported PA, BMI and food frequency. Results revealed that even though males are more active than females, they have higher BMI percentile values (p < 0.05). Females consumed salad, vegetables and fruit more frequently than males (p < 0.05), where males consumed hamburgers, pizza, red meat, processed meat, eggs, fish, fruit juice, soda and whole milk more frequently than females (p < 0.05). Overweight/obese teens consumed red meat, processed meat and cheese more frequently than healthy weight teens (p < 0.05), yet there was no difference in PA between healthy and overweight/obese teens. These results demonstrate that higher levels of PA may not counteract an unhealthy diet. Even though PA provides numerous metabolic and health benefits, this study suggests that healthy food choices may have a protective effect against overweight and obesity. Healthy food choices, along with PA, should be advocated to improve adolescent health by encouraging maintenance of a healthy weight into adulthood.

scholarly journals Barriers to a healthy lifestyle for three- to four-year-old children of Australian-born and overseas-born mothers with post-gestational diabetes: An Australian qualitative study

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tehzeeb Zulfiqar ◽  
Christopher J Nolan ◽  
Cathy Banwell ◽  
Rosemary Young ◽  
Lynelle Boisseau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Physical Activity Advice ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
Future Child

Children of mothers affected by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at higher risk of long-term cardio-metabolic diseases. We explore the diet and physical activity knowledge and practices of Australian-born and overseas-born mothers with GDM history, for their three- to four-year-old children following antenatal health promotion education at a tertiary hospital. We conducted face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with 8 Australian-born and 15 overseas-born mothers with a history of GDM. Findings indicated that mothers of both groups were unaware of the increased health risks of their GDM for their children and could not recall receiving specific dietary or physical activity advice aimed at future child health. Their understanding of the diet and physical activity recommendations was inconsistent. Mothers of both groups expressed concern about the lack of reiteration of child health promotion messages following childbirth, particularly at postnatal follow-up visits. Diet and physical activity of the children of overseas-born mothers were adversely affected by inadequate maternal understanding of the recommendations due to language barriers, and child weight, healthy eating, and physical activity patterns derived from their home countries. We recommend enhanced health education for women with GDM on the future child health risks and their reduction by healthy lifestyle choices. This needs to be culturally relevant and reiterated after pregnancy.

Achieving a Healthy Weight for Your Child: An Action Plan for Families

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra G. Hassink
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Weight Concerns ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
At Home

Help children with weight concerns by giving their parents the clear-cut information on nutrition and fitness that they need. Dr. Hassink's plan will help families meet their goals with details on diet and physical activity for at home, in school, and in the community.

Influences on diet and physical activity choices of 11–13-year-olds in a school setting

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 545-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla A McHugh ◽  
Lindsey Anderson ◽  
Jenny Lloyd ◽  
Stuart Logan ◽  
Katrina Wyatt
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Choices ◽  
The Impact

Objective: This paper uses a qualitative approach to explore the factors that influence diet and physical activity choices of 11–13-year-olds with a particular focus on the impact of the school environment. Design: Qualitative focus groups. Setting: Three purposively sampled secondary schools in Devon, UK. Method: A total of 53 students, aged 11–13, took part in six focus groups. Thematic, framework analysis was used to analyse the data. Result: Four overarching themes emerged: (1) health now and in the future; (2) the role of others; (3) provision, temptation and addiction; and (4) boundaries, strategies and support. Participants demonstrated good knowledge of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle and its importance for future health, although it was not necessarily seen as a priority at this stage of life. Key influences on their choices were their peers and family, although participants also identified that the school environment influences the food choices they make while there. Conclusion: In this study, 11–13-year-olds identified that schools could do more to support them to make healthier food choices. However, future research needs to understand the constraints schools face in terms of food provision in order to highlight possible opportunities for intervention.

scholarly journals A Digital Intervention for Australian Adolescents Above a Healthy Weight (Health Online for Teens): Protocol for an Implementation and User Experience Study

10.2196/13340 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e13340
Author(s):  
Carly Jane Moores ◽  
Anthony Maeder ◽  
Jacqueline Miller ◽  
Ivanka Prichard ◽  
Lucy Kate Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviors ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Lifestyle Behavior

Background More than one-fourth of Australian adolescents are overweight or obese, with obesity in adolescents strongly persisting into adulthood. Recent evidence suggests that the mid-teen years present a final window of opportunity to prevent irreversible damage to the cardiovascular system. As lifestyle behaviors may change with increased autonomy during adolescence, this life stage is an ideal time to intervene and promote healthy eating and physical activity behaviors, well-being, and self-esteem. As teenagers are prolific users and innate adopters of new technologies, app-based programs may be suitable for the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors and goal setting training. Objective This study aims to explore the reach, engagement, user experience, and satisfaction of the new app-based and Web-based Health Online for Teens (HOT) program in a sample of Australian adolescents above a healthy weight (ie, overweight or obese) and their parents. Methods HOT is a 14-week program for adolescents and their parents. The program is delivered online through the Moodle app–based and website-based learning environment and aims to promote adolescents’ lifestyle behavior change in line with Australian Dietary Guidelines and Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Young People (aged 13-17 years). HOT aims to build parental and peer support during the program to support adolescents with healthy lifestyle behavior change. Results Data collection for this study is ongoing. To date, 35 adolescents and their parents have participated in one of 3 groups. Conclusions HOT is a new online-only program for Australian adolescents and their parents that aims to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors. This protocol paper describes the HOT program in detail, along with the methods to measure reach, outcomes, engagement, user experiences, and program satisfaction. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618000465257; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374771 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/13340

scholarly journals Changes in diet and physical activity resulting from the Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities randomized cardiovascular disease risk reduction multilevel intervention trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara C. Folta ◽  
Lynn Paul ◽  
Miriam E. Nelson ◽  
David Strogatz ◽  
Meredith Graham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity

Abstract Background Women living in rural areas face unique challenges in achieving a heart-healthy lifestyle that are related to multiple levels of the social-ecological framework. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in diet and physical activity, which are secondary outcomes of a community-based, multilevel cardiovascular disease risk reduction intervention designed for women in rural communities. Methods Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities was a six-month, community-randomized trial conducted in 16 rural towns in Montana and New York, USA. Sedentary women aged 40 and older with overweight and obesity were recruited. Intervention participants (eight towns) attended twice weekly exercise and nutrition classes for 24 weeks (48 total). Individual-level components included aerobic exercise, progressive strength training, and healthy eating practices; a civic engagement component was designed to address social and built environment factors to support healthy lifestyles. The control group (eight towns) attended didactic healthy lifestyle classes monthly (six total). Dietary and physical activity data were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Dietary data were collected using automated self-administered 24-h dietary recalls, and physical activity data were collected by accelerometry and self-report. Data were analyzed using multilevel linear regression models with town as a random effect. Results At baseline, both groups fell short of meeting many recommendations for cardiovascular health. Compared to the control group, the intervention group realized significant improvements in intake of fruit and vegetables combined (difference: 0.6 cup equivalents per day, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.1, p = .026) and in vegetables alone (difference: 0.3 cup equivalents per day, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.6, p = .016). For physical activity, there were no statistically significant between-group differences based on accelerometry. By self-report, the intervention group experienced a greater increase in walking MET minutes per week (difference: 113.5 MET-minutes per week, 95% CI 12.8 to 214.2, p = .027). Conclusions Between-group differences in dietary and physical activity behaviors measured in this study were minimal. Future studies should consider how to bolster behavioral outcomes in rural settings and may also continue to explore the value of components designed to enact social and environmental change. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02499731. Registered 16 July 2015.

Abstract MP21: Achieving Cardiovascular Health in Young Adulthood - Do Adolescent Factors Matter?

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 131 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly C Gooding ◽  
Carly Milliren ◽  
Christina M Shay ◽  
Tracy K Richmond ◽  
Alison E Field ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity

Introduction: Adults who reach middle age with optimal levels of three physiologic factors – blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose – have lower rates of CVD mortality compared to those with one or more of these risk factors in the non-optimal range. The American Heart Association has identified four healthy lifestyle components – BMI, smoking, diet, and physical activity – important for preserving optimal cardiovascular health as people age. However, which lifestyle components in adolescence are most strongly associated with physiologic markers of cardiovascular health in adulthood is unclear. The purpose of this study was to quantify associations between lifestyle components measured in adolescence and optimal physiologic cardiovascular health in young adulthood. Methods: Analyses included 9,697 young adults, age 24-32 years in 2007-2008, who participated in Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. We defined optimal physiologic cardiovascular heath as untreated blood pressure <120/80 mmHg, untreated fasting blood glucose <100 mg/dL and hemoglobin A1C < 5.7%, untreated total cholesterol in the bottom 7 (women) or 6 (men) deciles for the study population, and absence of diabetes or CVD as measured at Wave IV. We used logistic regression models to estimate the odds of having optimal physiologic cardiovascular health in young adulthood according to BMI category, smoking status, and physical activity patterns measured during Waves I and II when participants were ages 11-20 years. Dietary data were not available. Models were adjusted for age, sex, race, educational attainment, and income in young adulthood. Results: Few young adults (16%, 1,592 of 9,697) had optimal physiologic cardiovascular health. Young adults who had been normal-weighted in adolescence were more likely to have optimal physiologic cardiovascular health (18.4%, 1,382 of 7,206) compared to those who had been overweight (9.4%, 142 of 1,429) or obese (6.9%, 68 of 1,062). In models adjusted for young adult sociodemographic factors, participants who had been overweight or obese as adolescents were less than half as likely as those who had been normal-weighted to have optimal physiologic cardiovascular health in young adulthood (overweight odds ratio (OR) 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35-0.61; obese OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.28-0.57). Adolescent tobacco smoking and physical activity were not associated with young adult cardiovascular health. Conclusions: Maintaining a healthy weight in adolescence may be the most important lifestyle factor for reaching young adulthood with optimal physiologic cardiovascular health. Overweight and obese adolescents should be encouraged to achieve a healthy weight through adherence to diet and physical activity goals.

scholarly journals Diet and physical activity in pregnancy: a study exploring women's beliefs and behaviours

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 297-304
Author(s):  
Rebecca Chana ◽  
Melanie Haith-Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Professional ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behaviour ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Sociocultural Influences ◽  
Professional Advice ◽  
Excessive Weight ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity

BackgroundBeing obese or gaining excessive weight during pregnancy can increase health risks for mother and baby. Adopting a healthy diet and increasing physical activity reduces these risks and has long-term health benefits for women. Despite this, women do not always maintain a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy.AimTo explore the factors that encouraged and prevented a diverse group of women to maintain a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy.MethodsA total of 12 women participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews, underpinned by the theory of planned behaviour. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim then subject to deductive thematic analysis.FindingsFour themes emerged: women's knowledge of a healthy lifestyle, sociocultural influences, physical health and health professional support. These influenced women's intentions and actual behaviours during pregnancy.ConclusionsEnhanced health professional advice may motivate women to adopt a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. This could be through new means such as health technology.

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