scholarly journals Perspectives on Physical Activity and Exercise Among Appalachian Youth

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Swanson ◽  
Nancy E. Schoenberg ◽  
Heather Erwin ◽  
Rian E. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Recreational Facilities ◽  
Appalachian Kentucky ◽  
Community Input

Background:Most children in the United States receive far less physical activity (PA) than is optimal. In rural, under resourced areas of Appalachian Kentucky, physical inactivity rates are significantly higher than national levels. We sought to understand children’s perceptions of PA, with the goal of developing culturally appropriate programming to increase PA.Methods:During 11 focus groups, we explored perspectives on PA among 63 Appalachian children, ages 8−17. Sessions were tape recorded, transcribed, content analyzed, and subjected to verification procedures.Results:Several perspectives on PA emerged among these rural Appalachian youth, including the clear distinction between PA (viewed as positive) and exercise (viewed as negative) and an emphasis on time and resource factors as barriers to adequate PA. Additional PA determinants expressed in the focus groups are similar to those of other populations. We include children’s recommendations for appealing PA programs.Conclusions:Appalachian and other rural residents contend with the loss of rural health advantages (due to declines in farming/other occupational and avocational transitions). At the same time, Appalachian residents have not benefitted from urban PA facilitators (sidewalks, recreational facilities, clubs and organized leisure activities). Addressing low PA levels requires extensive community input and creative programming.

scholarly journals Accelerometer and Survey Data on Patterns of Physical Inactivity in New York City and the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine F. Bartley ◽  
Donna L. Eisenhower ◽  
Tiffany G. Harris ◽  
Karen K. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
York City ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
The United States ◽  
Transportation Activity

Objective: Inactive lifestyles contribute to health problems and premature death and are influenced by the physical environment. The primary objective of this study was to quantify patterns of physical inactivity in New York City and the United States by combining data from surveys and accelerometers. Methods: We used Poisson regression models and self-reported survey data on physical activity and other demographic characteristics to predict accelerometer-measured inactivity in New York City and the United States among adults aged ≥18. National data came from the 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. New York City data came from the 2010-2011 New York City Physical Activity and Transit survey. Results: Self-reported survey data indicated no significant differences in inactivity between New York City and the United States, but accelerometer data showed that 53.1% of persons nationally, compared with 23.4% in New York City, were inactive ( P < .001). New Yorkers reported a median of 139 weekly minutes of transportation activity, compared with 0 minutes nationally. Nationally, 50.0% of self-reported activity minutes came from recreation activity, compared with 17.5% in New York City. Regression models indicated differences in the association between self-reported minutes of transportation and recreation and accelerometer-measured inactivity in the 2 settings. Conclusions: The prevalence of physical inactivity was higher nationally than in New York City. The largest difference was in walking behavior indicated by self-reported transportation activity. The study demonstrated the feasibility of combining accelerometer and survey measurement and that walkable environments promote an active lifestyle.

Barriers to Physical Activity in a Mass Transit Population: A Qualitative Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhibha M. Das ◽  
Steven J. Petruzzello
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Mass Transit ◽  
The United States ◽  
Nominal Group ◽  
Group Technique ◽  
Barriers To Physical Activity

Background:The physical inactivity epidemic continues be one of the greatest public health challenges in contemporary society in the United States. The transportation industry is at greater risk of physical inactivity, compared with individuals in other sectors of the workforce. The aim of this study was to use the Nominal Group Technique, a focus group technique, to examine mass transit employees’ perceptions of the barriers to physical activity at their worksite.Methods:Three focus groups (n = 31) were conducted to examine mass transit employees’ perceptions of barriers to physical activity at the worksite.Results:Salient barriers included (1) changing work schedules, (2) poor weather conditions, and (3) lack of scheduled and timely breaks.Conclusions:Findings were consistent with previous research demonstrating shift work, poor weather, and lack of breaks can negatively impact mass transit employees’ ability to be physically active. Although physical activity barriers for this population have been consistent for the last 20 years, public health practice and policy have not changed to address these barriers. Future studies should include conducing focus groups stratified by job classification (eg, operators, maintenance, and clerical) along with implementing and evaluating worksite-based physical activity interventions and policy changes.

Park, Recreation, Fitness, and Sport Sector Recommendations for a More Physically Active America: A White Paper for the United States National Physical Activity Plan

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (s2) ◽  
pp. S236-S244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Mowen ◽  
Birgitta L. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Performance Indicator ◽  
The United States ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
And Performance ◽  
National Physical Activity

Background:The United States’ first National Physical Activity Plan is now under development. This plan follows the release of new physical activity guidelines and seeks to address the nation’s ongoing physical inactivity and obesity crisis. For this plan to be successful, all facets of American culture need to unify behind its recommendations and action steps. Guidance for this plan involves active participation from a variety of sectors, including the park, recreation, fitness, and sport (PRFS) sector.Purpose:In this white paper, we discuss the potential of the PRFS sector in addressing America’s physical inactivity. Specifically, we provide a brief description, history, and scope of the PRFS sector; present evidence concerning linkages between this sector and physical activity; and discuss existing challenges and emerging opportunities for promoting physical activity. We conclude by suggesting PRFS recommendations to promote physical activity based on anticipated effectiveness, reach, scope, and sustainability.Methods:Academic articles, professional reports, and physical activity plans were reviewed to summarize the evidence concerning PRFS sector strategies for increasing physical activity. Recommendations: Based on our review, we propose several sector-specific proximity, place, program, partnership, promotion, people, policy, and performance indicator recommendations for improving physical activity in the United States.

scholarly journals Keeping the Goal in Sight: Testing the Influence of Narrowed Visual Attention on Physical Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Balcetis ◽  
Matthew T. Riccio ◽  
Dustin T. Duncan ◽  
Shana Cole
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Visual Attention ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Attention Orienting ◽  
Attentional Strategies ◽  
General Studies

Rates of physical inactivity continue to rise in the United States. With this work, we tested the efficacy of a strategy affecting the scope of visual attention designed to promote walking as a form of exercise. Specifically, we examined the influence of narrowed attention on the frequency (Studies 1a, 1b, and 3) and efficiency (Studies 2 and 4) of physical activity in general (Studies 1 and 2) and within exercise bouts measured across multiple days (Studies 3 and 4). We provide convergent evidence by investigating both individual differences in (Studies 1 and 2) and experimentally manipulated patterns of visual attention orienting (Studies 3 and 4). We discuss implications of attentional strategies for self-regulation and fitness.

Abstract MP31: State-Level Impact of Low Physical Activity on All-Cause Disease Burden

Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Sur ◽  
Ashkan Afshin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
The United States ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Total Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Introduction: While a consensus for the beneficial effects of physical activity exists, the optimal level of exercise and its effect on the disease burden across all states of the United States has not been evaluated. Objective: To systematically quantify the attributable burden to physical inactivity in all states of the United States by age, sex, year, and cause. Methods: We obtained data on categorical prevalence of domain-specific and total physical activity levels from nationally or subnationally representative surveys. Risk-outcome effect sizes of total physical activity were gathered from a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. The optimal level of physical activity was determined based on the activity levels associated with lowest risk of mortality in prospective observational studies. A comparative risk assessment analysis then quantified the proportion of death and disability attributable to low physical activity. The variation of physical activity levels and its associated burden was further evaluated across each state of the United States. Results: In 2016, physical inactivity accounted for 87 (95% UI: 122.6- 44.5) thousand DALYs in the United States (84.4% from CVD, 9.1% from DM, and 6.5% from cancers), with 59% of DALYs coming from men and 41% in women. Only 5 states (WY, ME, MT, AK, VT) demonstrated mean total physical activity levels above our suggested physical activity level of 3500 MET-mins per week. The highest burden attributable to physical activity was seen in Mississippi, while the lowest was seen in Colorado (955 & 458 DALYs per 100,000, respectively). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that population inventions to increase physical activity at the population level could save hundreds of thousands of life years across the United States.

scholarly journals Effects of trees, gardens, and nature trails on heat index and child health: design and methods of the Green Schoolyards Project

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Lanza ◽  
Melody Alcazar ◽  
Deanna M. Hoelscher ◽  
Harold W. Kohl
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
The United States ◽  
Heat Index ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Natural Setting ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Nature Trails

Abstract Background Latinx children in the United States are at high risk for nature-deficit disorder, heat-related illness, and physical inactivity. We developed the Green Schoolyards Project to investigate how green features—trees, gardens, and nature trails—in school parks impact heat index (i.e., air temperature and relative humidity) within parks, and physical activity levels and socioemotional well-being of these children. Herein, we present novel methods for a) observing children’s interaction with green features and b) measuring heat index and children’s behaviors in a natural setting, and a selection of baseline results. Methods During two September weeks (high temperature) and one November week (moderate temperature) in 2019, we examined three joint-use elementary school parks in Central Texas, United States, serving predominantly low-income Latinx families. To develop thermal profiles for each park, we installed 10 air temperature/relative humidity sensors per park, selecting sites based on land cover, land use, and even spatial coverage. We measured green features within a geographic information system. In a cross-sectional study, we used an adapted version of System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to assess children’s physical activity levels and interactions with green features. In a cohort study, we equipped 30 3rd and 30 4th grade students per school during recess with accelerometers and Global Positioning System devices, and surveyed these students regarding their connection to nature. Baseline analyses included inverse distance weighting for thermal profiles and summing observed counts of children interacting with trees. Results In September 2019, average daily heat index ranged 2.0 °F among park sites, and maximum daily heat index ranged from 103.4 °F (air temperature = 33.8 °C; relative humidity = 55.2%) under tree canopy to 114.1 °F (air temperature = 37.9 °C; relative humidity = 45.2%) on an unshaded playground. 10.8% more girls and 25.4% more boys interacted with trees in September than in November. Conclusions We found extreme heat conditions at select sites within parks, and children positioning themselves under trees during periods of high heat index. These methods can be used by public health researchers and practitioners to inform the redesign of greenspaces in the face of climate change and health inequities.

scholarly journals Effect of specific non-pharmaceutical intervention policies on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the counties of the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bingyi Yang ◽  
Angkana T. Huang ◽  
Bernardo Garcia-Carreras ◽  
William E. Hart ◽  
Andrea Staid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Home Visiting ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Causal Effects ◽  
Basic Reproductive Number ◽  
Reproductive Number ◽  
County Level ◽  
Metapopulation Model ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

AbstractNon-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) remain the only widely available tool for controlling the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We estimated weekly values of the effective basic reproductive number (Reff) using a mechanistic metapopulation model and associated these with county-level characteristics and NPIs in the United States (US). Interventions that included school and leisure activities closure and nursing home visiting bans were all associated with a median Reff below 1 when combined with either stay at home orders (median Reff 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58–1.39) or face masks (median Reff 0.97, 95% CI 0.58–1.39). While direct causal effects of interventions remain unclear, our results suggest that relaxation of some NPIs will need to be counterbalanced by continuation and/or implementation of others.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Among Somali Men in Minnesota

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed A. Mohamed ◽  
Abdullahi M. Hassan ◽  
Jennifer A. Weis ◽  
Irene G. Sia ◽  
Mark L. Wieland
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Success Stories ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
High Knowledge ◽  
African Refugee ◽  
Competing Priorities ◽  
Exercise Equipment

Immigrants and refugees arrive to the United States healthier than the general population, but this advantage declines with increasing duration of residence. One factor contributing to this decline is suboptimal physical activity, but reasons for this are poorly understood. Persons from Somalia represent the largest African refugee population to the United States, yet little is known about perceptions of physical activity among Somali men. Somali members of a community-based participatory research partnership implemented three age-stratified focus groups and three semistructured interviews among 20 Somali men in Rochester, Minnesota. Team-based inductive analysis generated themes for barriers and facilitators to physical activity. Barriers to physical activity included less walking opportunities in the United States, embarrassment about exercise clothing and lack of familiarity with exercise equipment/modalities, fear of harassment, competing priorities, facility costs, transportation, and winter weather. Facilitators to physical activity included high knowledge about how to be active, success stories from others in their community as inspiration, and community cohesion. Findings may be used to derive interventions aimed to promote physical activity among Somali men in the United States.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document