scholarly journals Eight Investments That Work for Physical Activity

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Karen Milton ◽  
Nick Cavill ◽  
Anna Chalkley ◽  
Charlie Foster ◽  
Sjaan Gomersall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Global Organization ◽  
Advance Research ◽  
Sport And Recreation

Background: The International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) is a leading global organization working to advance research, policy, and practice to promote physical activity. Given the expanding evidence base on interventions to promote physical activity, it was timely to review and update a major ISPAH advocacy document—Investments that Work for Physical Activity (2011). Methods: Eight investment areas were agreed upon through consensus. Literature reviews were conducted to identify key evidence relevant to policymakers in each sector or setting. Results: The 8 investment areas were as follows: whole-of-school programs; active transport; active urban design; health care; public education; sport and recreation; workplaces; and community-wide programs. Evidence suggests that the largest population health benefit will be achieved by combining these investments and implementing a systems-based approach. Conclusions: Establishing consensus on ‘what works’ to change physical activity behavior is a cornerstone of successful advocacy, as is having appropriate resources to communicate key messages to a wide range of stakeholders. ISPAH has created a range of resources related to the new investments described in this paper. These resources are available in the ‘advocacy toolkit’ on the ISPAH website (www.ispah.org/resources).

scholarly journals Is there sufficient evidence regarding signage-based stair use interventions? A sequential meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e012459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Bauman ◽  
Karen Milton ◽  
Maina Kariuki ◽  
Karla Fedel ◽  
Mary Lewicka
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Research Translation ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Stair Use

ObjectiveThe proliferation of studies using motivational signs to promote stair use continues unabated, with their oft-cited potential for increasing population-level physical activity participation. This study examined all stair use promotional signage studies since 1980, calculating pre-estimates and post-estimates of stair use. The aim of this project was to conduct a sequential meta-analysis to pool intervention effects, in order to determine when the evidence base was sufficient for population-wide dissemination.DesignUsing comparable data from 50 stair-promoting studies (57 unique estimates) we pooled data to assess the effect sizes of such interventions.ResultsAt baseline, median stair usage across interventions was 8.1%, with an absolute median increase of 2.2% in stair use following signage-based interventions. The overall pooled OR indicated that participants were 52% more likely to use stairs after exposure to promotional signs (adjusted OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.70). Incremental (sequential) meta-analyses using z-score methods identified that sufficient evidence for stair use interventions has existed since 2006, with recent studies providing no further evidence on the effect sizes of such interventions.ConclusionsThis analysis has important policy and practice implications. Researchers continue to publish stair use interventions without connection to policymakers' needs, and few stair use interventions are implemented at a population level. Researchers should move away from repeating short-term, small-scale, stair sign interventions, to investigating their scalability, adoption and fidelity. Only such research translation efforts will provide sufficient evidence of external validity to inform their scaling up to influence population physical activity.

scholarly journals Mental Health Promotion Efforts for Children and Youth in Canada and Beyond: Evidence in Research, Policy and Practice

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Whitley ◽  
Suzanne Gooderham
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

terms of both psychological and academic outcomes. Growing numbers of students are placed “at risk” as a result. A mental health promotion approach suggests that students can develop a number of skills and competencies, namely those related to social-emotional learning (SEL), which can reduce their chance of developing mental health difficulties. In Canada, a wide range of curricula, frameworks, initiatives, and programs have been put in place that address elements of SEL. In this paper, a sampling of these drawn from across the country is described. The emphasis on SEL apparent in many provinces and territories is evidence of the shared understanding of its importance with respect to improving student outcomes. However, a lack of evidence to support these approaches, inconsistencies in terms of terminology and practices, the lack of alignment between SEL and academics, and the piecemeal approach adopted within some provinces leave SEL and mental health promotion approaches vulnerable to being labelled “add-ons” and becoming transient initiatives.

scholarly journals THE BACKGROUND AND DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE AND FAMILY QUALITY OF LIFE: APPLYING RESEARCH, POLICY, AND PRACTICE TO INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY LIVING

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Roy I. Brown ◽  
Alice Schippers
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Family Quality Of Life ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Research Practice ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Wide Range

This article introduces the concepts of quality of life and family quality of life and shows how they have developed in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities in terms of concepts and principles. The article underscores the relevance of many of the principles and practices to a wide range of disabilities and challenges in the broad field of human development. Finally, the article provides an introduction to the other articles in this special issue, and considers their relationship to the broader areas of research, practice, and policy.

scholarly journals A Conceptual Re-evaluation of Reproductive Coercion: Centring Intent, Fear and Control

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Tarzia ◽  
Kelsey Hegarty
Keyword(s):  
Partner Violence ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Reproductive Coercion ◽  
Conceptual Clarity ◽  
Screening And Identification ◽  
And Control

Background: Reproductive coercion and abuse (RCA) is a hidden form of violence against women. It includes behaviours intended to control or dictate a woman’s reproductive autonomy, for the purpose of either preventing or promoting pregnancy. Main text: In this commentary, we argue that there is a lack of conceptual clarity around RCA that is a barrier to developing a robust evidence base. Furthermore, we suggest that there is a poor understanding of the way that RCA intersects with other types of violence (intimate partner violence; sexual violence) and – as a result – inconsistent definition and measurement in research and practice. To address this, we propose a new way of understanding RCA that centres perpetrator intent and the presence of fear and control. Recommendations for future research are also discussed. Conclusion: We suggest that IPV and SV are the mechanisms through which RCA is perpetrated. In other words, RCA cannot exist without some other form of co-occurring violence in a relationship. This has important implications for research, policy and practice including for screening and identification of women in reproductive healthcare settings.

International conference on physical activity and obesity in children: summary statement and recommendationsThis summary statement and recommendations from the International Conference on Physical Activity and Obesity in Children is being published simultaneously in the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity and Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism.For the International Association for the Study of Obesity Physical Activity Task Force and the Conference Speaker Panel (the conference speaker panel includes Tom Baranowski, Claude Bouchard, Kelly Brownell, Deborah Cohen, William H. Dietz, Rod Dishman, Mary Flynn, William Haskell, James O. Hill, W.P.T. (Philip) James, Russell Pate, John Peters, Michael Pratt, Harry Rutter, James Sallis, Jo Salmon, Chantal Simon, and Boyd Swinburn).

2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter T. Katzmarzyk ◽  
Louise A. Baur ◽  
Steven N. Blair ◽  
Estelle V. Lambert ◽  
Jean-Michel Oppert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Task Force ◽  
International Association ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
International Conference ◽  
Summary Statement ◽  
Obesity In Children

The increasing prevalence of obesity among the world’s children and youth was the impetus for an international conference convened in Toronto, Canada, to examine issues related to physical activity and obesity in children (24–27 June 2007). The goal of the conference was to assimilate, interpret, and share scientific evidence with key stakeholders to develop recommendations concerning effective physical activity policies and programs to address obesity in children. The conference was attended by approximately 1000 delegates from 33 countries who gathered to listen to the invited speakers and to share information on promising practices related to the promotion of physical activity with the aim of reducing the burden of obesity in children. The major topics addressed at the conference included the biological and behavioural causes of obesity, current and past levels of physical activity and sedentarism in children, the role of the social, family, and built environments in addressing the physical activity deficit, and the role of legislation and industry in promoting physical activity. Promising physical activity interventions among children were presented, and important research, policy, and practice recommendations to address the issue of physical inactivity and obesity were provided.

The Danger of a Single Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 137-156
Author(s):  
Promise Nduku ◽  
Nkululeko Tshabalala ◽  
Moshidi Putuka ◽  
Zafeer Ravat ◽  
Laurenz Langer
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
Inform Decision Making ◽  
Effective Translation

This chapter outlines how taking a more systematic approach to developing responsive evidence bases that can inform research, policy, and practice on community health worker (CHW) training in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) supports the provision of more effective and equitable CHW programmes. It also explores methodologies and tools to develop such evidence bases and how these can and have been used to inform decision-making. We argue that by focusing on single primary studies rather than the combined body of evidence, research and practice on the training of CHWs in LMICs is overlooking systemic patterns in the evidence base. Decisions on which types of training programmes to implement in LMICs are often based on single evaluations of programmes conducted out of context or informed by general principles for workplace-based learning. Better matching research and practice needs with the available evidence base will facilitate a more effective translation of knowledge on the training of CHWs into practice and policy decisions.

Social Psychology and Physical Activity: A Senior Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-111
Author(s):  
Diane L. Gill
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Real World ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
The Public ◽  
Historical View ◽  
The North ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
American Society

In taking a senior perspective, the author first steps back and offers an historical view and then offers her senior advice for moving forward. When the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) was in its infancy (early 1970s), the psychology subarea was known as social psychology and physical activity, and our research largely followed social psychology theories and research methods. In subsequent developing years, our research split into sport psychology and exercise psychology, with more focused research lines that moved away from social psychology and physical activity. While the more focused research builds our evidence base, that research has little impact on the wide range of participants and professionals. To have greater impact, we can reclaim the “social,” and we can take a more inclusive view of physical activity. We must recognize and highlight the powerful and complex role of “social” context and relationships and directly engage with professionals and participants in those real-world settings. We need more scholars who partner with other (nonacademic) professionals, teach those future professionals, and engage with their community and the public to enhance our real-world impact.

Research, policy and practice

2018 ◽  
pp. 68-80
Author(s):  
Nick Frost ◽  
Bernie Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Child Welfare ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Welfare Policy ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Family Group ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Child Welfare Policy ◽  
Family Based

This chapter examines research evidence that underpins family group conferences (FGCs) and addresses its implications for policy and practice. There are powerful value-based reasons for engaging with FGCs. The evidence base around the process of FGCs is strong; families find the process, in the main, empowering and engaging. Meanwhile, the evidence base in relation to the outcomes of FGCs is mixed in relation to both safeguarding and care placements, as studies have found positive, negative, and neutral outcomes following FGCs. There is no doubt that there is a requirement for more outcome-focused studies of FGCs. Nevertheless, as many researchers argue, there is enough evidence and professional and family-based experience to make a powerful argument for the embedding of FGCs in child welfare policy and practice.

scholarly journals Policy Series: ESPO/ Social Research, Policy, and Practice Section Symposium: Connecting Aging Research to Policy: Insights and Strategies for Early-Career Researchers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 683-683
Author(s):  
Claire Pendergrast ◽  
Jennifer May
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Aging Policy ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Research To Policy

Abstract A wide range of policy issues, from healthcare to transportation to social insurance, influence health and wellbeing for older adults. Gerontologists have the opportunity to get involved with policy at any scale, from the organizational or community level to local, state, or federal policy. This symposium brings together a diverse panel of emerging and established academics to discuss strategies for early career researchers to understand and participate in aging policy activities. Panelists will discuss opportunities for researchers to contribute their expertise to policy discussions, and will share their own experiences and perspectives on participating in the policy process. Specific topics covered will include aging policy internship opportunities for graduate students, academic involvement with advocacy efforts to promote healthcare access to older adults, strategies for designing and conducting impactful and policy research, approaches to collaboration with diverse stakeholders to connect research to policy, and strategies for communicating policy-relevant research findings to general public and policy audiences. This symposium will reflect the SRPP’s strong commitment to connecting research to policy and practice, and will provide early career scholars with strategies to connect their own research to policy in order to inform decision-making and improve health and quality of life for older adults.

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