Examining the Implementation of Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Policies in a Large, Public Health Organization

The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence, predictors, and psychosocial well-being (depressive symptoms, stress) and weight-related behavior (eating behaviors, physical activity, and sedentary behavior) correlates of social distancing during COVID-19 among emerging adults. A rapid-response survey was sent to participants ( n=720; mean age=24.7 ± 2.0 years, 62% female) in a population-based cohort study in Minnesota during April–October 2020. Half of emerging adults reported fully social distancing. Emerging adults from White backgrounds were least likely to social distance while those from Asian backgrounds were most likely to social distance, in addition to those living with a parent. Females who partially/did not social distance reported less healthy eating behaviors, while males and “essential workers” reported higher levels of psychosocial distress. Public health messaging and practical supports for social distancing may need to be made more relevant to emerging adults during public health crises. Resources may need to differ depending on sex of emerging adult.

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Public Service Announcements to Promote Physical Activity

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences ◽

10.5590/jsbhs.2019.13.1.09 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer Erickson ◽

Jay Greiner

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Public Service ◽

Stage Of Change ◽

Change Readiness ◽

Public Service Announcements ◽

World Health ◽

Perceived Effectiveness ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization

The World Health Organization promotes physical activity (PA) as important for successful maintenance of health, but many individuals are inactive. Despite the potential for public service announcements (PSAs) to communicate health information and promote behavior change, no previous research on developing video PSAs to promote PA was found. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to examine how video PSAs designed for public health campaigns affect future levels of intention to engage in PA. The PSAs assessed perceived effectiveness of message foci and the impact of stage of change readiness. They were developed specifically for this study using the model of goal directed behavior as the foundation. Participants were recruited via SurveyMonkey, an Internet-based survey research platform that included an option for referral sampling to view PSAs with the message foci of empathy, fear, information, and combination to determine which focus area was perceived as most persuasive for promoting PA. The present study examined moderating effects of current PA habits, stage of change readiness, and affect at time of viewing PSA. Differences in perceived effectiveness between the different message foci were found with participants perceiving the empathy video as most effective, followed by combination videos, with fear and information being perceived least effective. For participants who met the World Health Organization recommendations for PA, the PSA based on fear was most effective. Many participants (61%) had a positive affect while watching the four PSA videos. Stages of change indicated over 28% of participants were in precontemplation and 11% were in action. Social implications are based on improving public health communication to promote healthy behavior and physical exercise

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Global Public Health Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior for People Living With Chronic Conditions: A Call to Action

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2020-0525 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Paddy C. Dempsey ◽

Christine M. Friedenreich ◽

Michael F. Leitzmann ◽

Matthew P. Buman ◽

Estelle Lambert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

World Health Organization ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Premature Mortality ◽

World Health ◽

Global Public Health ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization

Background: In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) released global guidelines on physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior, for the first time providing population-based recommendations for people living with selected chronic conditions. This article briefly presents the guidelines, related processes and evidence, and, importantly, considers how they may be used to support research, practice, and policy. Methods: A brief overview of the scope, agreed methods, selected chronic conditions (adults living with cancer, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and human immunodeficiency virus), and appraisal of systematic review evidence on PA/sedentary behavior is provided. Methods were consistent with World Health Organization protocols for developing guidelines. Results: Moderate to high certainty evidence (varying by chronic condition and outcome examined) supported that PA can reduce the risk of disease progression or premature mortality and improve physical function and quality of life in adults living with chronic conditions. Direct evidence on sedentary behavior was lacking; however, evidence extrapolated from adult populations was considered applicable, safe, and likely beneficial (low certainty due to indirectness). Conclusions: Clinical and public health professionals and policy makers should promote the World Health Organization 2020 global guidelines and develop and implement services and programs to increase PA and limit sedentary behavior in adults living with chronic conditions.

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