Associations Between Demographic, Perceptual, and Behavioral Factors and Support for Policies Encouraging Active Transport

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristiann C. Heesch ◽  
Jennifer L. Han
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Active Transport ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Policy Outcomes ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Positive Attitudes

Background:Policies that encourage physical activity are recommended to increase physical activity rates. Few studies have examined public support for such policies. The aim of this study was to assess support for policies that may increase active transport and correlates of this support.Methods:A telephone survey was administered to 460 Oklahoma residents.Results:Most respondents supported policies that may encourage walking and bicycling for transport. Most favored the improvement of public transportation over building new roads to address transportation concerns. In multivariate models, a positive attitude toward walking was the only variable significantly associated with support for most policy outcomes (p < 0.05). Participation in active commuting and a positive attitude toward bicycling were correlates of strong support for the creation of bike ways (p < 0.05).Conclusions:Experience with active commuting and positive attitudes toward walking and bicycling are associated with support for policies that may encourage walking and bicycling for transport.

scholarly journals Validação por expertos de uma proposta metodológica para promoção de atitudes positivas perante a deficiência em ambientes inclusivos

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-178
Author(s):  
Luis Rodríguez de Vera ◽  
Ana Belén López Martínez ◽  
Angelo Muria
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Optimal Path ◽  
Central Tendency ◽  
Validation Process ◽  
Success Criteria ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Kendall’S W

A Actividade Física Adaptada à Pessoa com Deficiência (PcD) é reconhecida como um óptimo meio para a inclusão social desse grupo. No entanto, o grau de inclusão da PcD dependerá em grande parte das atitudes manifestadas pelos diferentes grupos populacionais, assumindo que uma atitude positiva influencia o comportamento da pessoa em relação a um grupo social específico. Em Moçambique, espera-se que técnicos desportivos capacitados em modalidades adaptadas à PcD, além de técnicos, sejam agentes que promovam a inclusão social. OBJECTIVO: o objectivo do presente estudo foi validar uma proposta metodológica que gere atitudes positivas em relação à deficiência, melhorando assim o perfil dos formados em cursos de agentes desportivos. MÉTODO: a proposta foi submetida a um processo de validação por especialistas, composto por um painel de 21 especialistas de quatro países (Espanha, Portugal, Brasil e Moçambique), seleccionados por meio de um questionário para determinação do coeficiente de competência. Para a análise dos resultados, foi utilizada a estatística inferencial (medidas de tendência central e dispersão) e o coeficiente de concordância "W de Kendall". RESULTADO: os especialistas avaliaram satisfatoriamente oito descritores, dentre eles, o contexto da proposta e sua aplicabilidade; o desenho, objectivos e estratégias da metodologia; os critérios de sucesso, o tempo estimado para sua implementação e os resultados esperados. CONCLUSÃO: foi validada por especialistas uma proposta metodológica com o objectivo de melhorar a atitude do formando em relação à deficiência. The Physical Activity Adapted to the Person with Disabilities (PwD) is recognized as an optimal path for the social inclusion of this group. However, the degree of inclusion of PwD will largely depend on the attitudes manifested by the different population groups, assuming that a positive attitude influences the behavior of the person towards a specific social group. In Mozambique, it is expected that the sports technicians trained in modalities adapted to the PwD, in addition to being technicians, will be agents that stimulate social inclusion. OBJECTIVE: the objective of the present study was to validate a methodological proposal that generates positive attitudes towards disability, thus improving the profile of the trainees leaving in courses for sports technicians. METHOD: the proposal was submitted to a validation process by experts, made up of a panel of 21 specialists from four countries (Spain, Portugal, Brazil and Mozambique), selected through a questionnaire to determine the coefficient of competence. For the analysis of the results, inferential statistics (measures of central tendency and dispersion) and the coefficient of agreement "Kendall's W" were used. RESULT: the experts satisfactorily evaluated eight descriptors, among them, the context of the proposal and its applicability; the design, objectives and strategies of the methodology; the success criteria, the estimated time for its implementation and the expected results. CONCLUSION: a methodological proposal with the aim of improving the attitude of the person being trained towards disability was validated by specialists. A Actividade Física Adaptada à Pessoa com Deficiência (PcD) é reconhecida como um óptimo meio para a inclusão social desse grupo. No entanto, o grau de inclusão da PcD dependerá em grande parte das atitudes manifestadas pelos diferentes grupos populacionais, assumindo que uma atitude positiva influencia o comportamento da pessoa em relação a um grupo social específico. Em Moçambique, espera-se que técnicos desportivos capacitados em modalidades adaptadas à PcD, além de técnicos, sejam agentes que promovam a inclusão social. OBJECTIVO: o objectivo do presente estudo foi validar uma proposta metodológica que gere atitudes positivas em relação à deficiência, melhorando assim o perfil dos formados em cursos de agentes desportivos. MÉTODO: a proposta foi submetida a um processo de validação por especialistas, composto por um painel de 21 especialistas de quatro países (Espanha, Portugal, Brasil e Moçambique), seleccionados por meio de um questionário para determinação do coeficiente de competência. Para a análise dos resultados, foi utilizada a estatística inferencial (medidas de tendência central e dispersão) e o coeficiente de concordância "W de Kendall". RESULTADO: os especialistas avaliaram satisfatoriamente oito descritores, dentre eles, o contexto da proposta e sua aplicabilidade; o desenho, objectivos e estratégias da metodologia; os critérios de sucesso, o tempo estimado para sua implementação e os resultados esperados. CONCLUSÃO: foi validada por especialistas uma proposta metodológica com o objectivo de melhorar a atitude do formando em relação à deficiência.

scholarly journals Association of changes in commute mode with body mass index and visceral adiposity: a longitudinal study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keisuke Kuwahara ◽  
Hisashi Noma ◽  
Tohru Nakagawa ◽  
Toru Honda ◽  
Shuichiro Yamamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Abdominal Adiposity ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Working Adults ◽  
Commuting Mode

Abstract Background Prospective data are sparse for active commuting to work and body weight in Asia. We assessed the association of 5-year changes in commuting mode with body mass index (BMI) and the indicators of abdominal obesity in Japanese working adults. Methods In this longitudinal study, we studied 29,758 participants (25,808 men and 3950 women) in Japan aged 30 to 64 years at baseline who underwent further health examination 5 years after the baseline examination. Changes in BMI were calculated from objectively measured body height and weight at baseline and follow-up examination. Visceral and subcutaneous fat areas and waist circumference measured by computed tomography scans were used as indicators for abdominal adiposity. Linear regression was applied to estimate the association of changes in commuting mode with the obesity outcomes. Results Within the 5-year study period, adults who maintained inactive commuting gained weight, and compared with this group, adults who switched to inactive commuting had higher weight gain; conversely, adults who switched to active or public transportation commuting and especially those who maintained active or public transportation commuting experienced less weight gain. Subgroup analysis showed similar tendency across the different transitions of leisure-time exercise or occupational physical activity. For example, among adults who maintained no exercise (n = 16,087), the adjusted mean (95% confidence intervals) of the BMI change over 5 years in kg/m2 were 0.27 (0.24 to 0.30) for maintained inactive commuting group (reference), 0.34 (0.30 to 0.38) for switching to inactive commuting group (P = 0.046), 0.20 (0.18 to 0.22) for switching to active commuting or public transportation group (P = 0.001), and 0.09 (0.06 to 0.13) for maintained active commuting or public transportation group (P < 0.001). Maintained inactive commuting tended to be associated with larger gain in abdominal adiposity indicators. Conclusion Switching from inactive commuting mode to more physically active commuting mode and maintaining active commuting can promote body weight control among working adults across different levels of occupational or leisure-time physical activity.

Community Perceptions of an Exercise Program Designed for New Mothers

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-35
Author(s):  
Janet Currie ◽  
Imke Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Mental Well Being

Five hundred mothers of children under five years participated in a survey to gain perceptions of a community pram walking program designed to promote mental health. Telephone survey (n=450) and focus group (n=50) methods were used. Ninety-two percent of telephone survey respondents (n=416) believed that physical activity could increase mental well-being and 87% (n=390) felt that it could reduce the effects of postnatal depression [PND]. Interestingly, approximately 50% (n=25) of focus group participants felt that mothers experiencing PND would not want to join an exercise group set up for promoting mental well-being and 80% (n=40) stated that marketing messages should not mention mental health in order to avoid labelling or stigmatization. This study has revealed positive attitudes toward the potential of physical activity to improve mental health. However, for promotional purposes, terms such as well-being or reduced stress may be less stigmatizing than mental health.

scholarly journals Public Support for Government Actions During a Flu Pandemic: Lessons Learned From a Statewide Survey

2008 ◽  
Vol 9 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 60S-72S ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye-Jin Paek ◽  
Karen Hilyard ◽  
Vicki S. Freimuth ◽  
J. Kevin Barge ◽  
Michele Mindlin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Education ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Trust Building ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
The Government ◽  
Approved Drugs

To better inform public health officials during a flu pandemic, this study analyzes a representative statewide telephone survey among 1,602 adults to examine knowledge and perceptions about a flu pandemic, trust in government, and support for government actions in a flu pandemic. The findings show citizens do not understand what avian/bird flu is and how it evolves into a pandemic. They also seem to have divergent perceptions regarding the susceptibility and severity of a flu pandemic. More than half of the respondents trust the government to handle a flu pandemic and show strong support for many proposed government actions in a pandemic, except for offering non—fully approved drugs. The findings suggest public health and risk communicators should reinforce support for controversial actions through trust building and personalization of risks rather than mere education or publicity. Public education and engagement should also begin pre-pandemic and continue throughout all phases of the event.

Active Transport to School as Part of a Broader Habit of Walking and Cycling among South Australian Youth

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 436-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Dollman ◽  
Nicole R. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Active Transport ◽  
Free Time ◽  
School Age ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Perceptions Of Risk ◽  
Neighborhood Risk ◽  
Home And School ◽  
Motorized Transport

This study examined whether active commuting to and from school was associated with more frequent walking and cycling to other neighborhood destinations. Parents reported on free-time physical activity and frequency of active commuting among 1,643 South Australians (9–15 years), as well as their perceptions of risk associated with active commuting in the neighborhood. Groups were formed on the basis of active and motorized transport to and from school and compared on the frequency of walking and cycling to other neighborhood destinations. Those who actively commuted between home and school were approximately 30% more likely to actively commute to other neighborhood destinations, independent of age, free-time physical activity, and neighborhood risk. Active commuting to and from school is part of a broader habit of walking and cycling in the neighborhood among school age South Australians. The advantages of promoting active transport between home and school might extend beyond the energy expenditure of that journey alone.

scholarly journals Driven to Support: Individual- and County-Level Factors Associated With Public Support for Active Transportation Policies

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 657-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angie L. Cradock ◽  
Jessica L. Barrett ◽  
Jamie F. Chriqui ◽  
Kelly R. Evenson ◽  
Karin Valentine Goins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Models ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Public Transit ◽  
Public Funding ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Active Transportation ◽  
County Level ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active

Purpose: To assess predictors of stated support for policies promoting physically active transportation. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: US counties selected on county-level physical activity and obesity health status. Participants: Participants completing random-digit dialed telephone survey (n = 906). Measures: Survey measures assessed stated support for 5 policies to promote physically active transportation, access to active transportation facilities, and time spent in a car. County-level estimates included household car dependence and funding for bicycle–pedestrian projects. Analysis: Multivariable generalized linear mixed models using binary distribution and logit link, accounting for clustering within county. Results: Respondents supported policies for accommodating bicyclists and pedestrians through street improvements (89%), school active transportation programs (75%), employer-funded active commuting incentives (67%), and allocation of public funding (68%) and tax support (56%) for building and maintaining public transit. Residents spending >2 h/d (vs <0.7 hours) in cars were more likely to support street (odds ratio [OR]: 1.87; confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-3.22) and public transit (OR: 1.85; CI: 1.24-2.77) improvements. Residents in counties investing >$1.6 million in bicycle and pedestrian improvements expressed greater support for funding (OR: 1.71; CI: 1.04-2.83) and tax increases (OR: 1.73; CI: 1.08-2.75) for transit improvements compared to those with lower prior investments (<$276 100). Conclusion: Support for policies to enable active transportation is higher where relevant investments in active transportation infrastructure are large (>$1.6 M), public transit is nearby, and respondents drive >2 h/d.

scholarly journals Association between the school physical activity environment, measured and self-reported student physical activity and active transport behaviours in Victoria, Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Crooks ◽  
Laura Alston ◽  
Melanie Nichols ◽  
Kristy A. Bolton ◽  
Steven Allender ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Active Transport ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
School Principal ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Physical Activity Environment ◽  
Policy Practice ◽  
Socioeconomic Composition

Abstract Background Environments within schools including the physical, social-cultural and policy/practice environments have the potential to influence children’s physical activity (PA) behaviours and weight status. This Australian first study comprehensively examined the association(s) of physical, social-cultural and policy/practice environments with PA, active transport (AT) and weight status among regional primary school children. Methods Data were from two childhood obesity monitoring systems in regional Victoria, Australia. Measured height and weight were collected from students in Year 2 (aged approx. 7–8 years), Year 4 (9–10 years), and Year 6 (11–12 years). Self–reported PA behaviour, including AT were collected from students in Year 4 and 6 and a sub-sample wore an ActiGraph (wGT3X-BT) accelerometer for 7-days. A school physical activity environment audit was completed by the school principal and responses were used to calculate school physical activity environment scores (PAES) and active transport environment scores (ATES). Mixed effects logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between the proportion of students meeting the PA guidelines (≥60mins/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA) and PAES tertiles (low, medium, high) and those using AT and school ATES tertiles, controlling for gender, school size/type and socioeconomic composition. Results The analysed sample included 54/146 (37%) schools and 3360/5376 (64%) students. In stratified analysis, girls in schools with a medium PAES score were more likely to meet the objectively measured PA guideline compared to low PAES score (OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.27, 4.16). Similarly, students in schools with a medium or high ATES score had higher odds of self-reported AT (medium OR 3.15, 95%CI 1.67, 5.94; high OR 3.71, 95%CI: 1.80, 7.64). No association between PAES or ATES and weight status were observed. Self-reported AT among boys (OR 1.59, 95%CI 1.19, 2.13) and girls (OR 1.56, 95%CI 1.08, 2.27) was associated with higher odds of meeting self-reported PA guidelines on all 7-days than those who did not report using AT. Conclusions In this study of regional Victorian primary schools, PA environments were only associated with girls’ adherence to PA guidelines. School AT environments were strongly associated with students’ AT behaviours and with increased likelihood of students being physically active.

scholarly journals Cyber Terrorism and Public Support for Retaliation – A Multi-Country Survey Experiment

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Ryan Shandler ◽  
Michael L. Gross ◽  
Sophia Backhaus ◽  
Daphna Canetti
Keyword(s):  
Television News ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
The United States ◽  
Randomized Experiments ◽  
Cyber Terrorism ◽  
News Reports ◽  
Terror Attacks ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Psychological Mechanism

Abstract Does exposure to cyber terrorism prompt calls for retaliatory military strikes? By what psychological mechanism does it do so? Through a series of controlled, randomized experiments, this study exposed respondents (n = 2,028) to television news reports depicting cyber and conventional terror attacks against critical infrastructures in the United States, United Kingdom and Israel. The findings indicate that only lethal cyber terrorism triggers strong support for retaliation. Findings also confirm that anger bridges exposure to cyber terrorism and retaliation, rather than psychological mechanisms such as threat perception or anxiety as other studies propose. These findings extend to the cyber realm a recent trend that views anger as a primary mechanism linking exposure to terrorism with militant preferences. With cyber terrorism a mounting international concern, this study demonstrates how exposure to this threat can generate strong public support for retaliatory policies, depending on the lethality of the attack.

scholarly journals Assessing the Level of Awareness of COVID-19 and Prevalence of General Anxiety Disorder among the Hail Community, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 7035
Author(s):  
Bandar Alsaif ◽  
Najm Eldinn Elsser Elhassan ◽  
Ramaiah Itumalla ◽  
Kamal Elbassir Ali ◽  
Mohamed Ali Alzain
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
General Anxiety Disorder ◽  
General Anxiety ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Positive Attitudes

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a major public health problem around the world. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the awareness and prevalence of General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) with regard to COVID-19 among the Hail community, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in order to help health authorities to effectively control the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 412 participants living in Hail, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices for the prevention of COVID-19, as well as psychological feelings in terms of GAD as an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The study found that most of the respondents demonstrated good knowledge, attitudes, and practice for COVID-19 prevention. The elderly and employed demonstrated significant positive attitudes and practices (p < 0.05). Participants with a positive attitude were almost two and a half times (OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.54–3.99) more likely to have good practices. Additionally, the rural respondents were less likely (OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.21–0.96) to have a positive attitude. Married participants were more than one and a half (OR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.04–2.44) times more likely to have a positive attitude. The prevalence of GAD was 21.8% and was significantly increased among participants with inadequate knowledge (OR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.25–3.22), females (OR = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.19–3.09), individuals with chronic diseases (OR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.02–2.86), and non-Saudi participants (OR = 2.44; 95% CI: 1.02–5.85). Conclusions: Ensuring a sufficient combination of relatively good levels of knowledge, positive attitudes, and desired practices serves as a good approach to preventing the spread of COVID-19. However, the increased prevalence of GAD requires the attention of policymakers. Therefore, a great emphasis should be placed on health awareness campaigns, with a focus on misconceptions and the provision of counseling.

scholarly journals Objective Measures to Assess Active Commuting Physical Activity to School in Young People: A Systematic Review Protocol and Practical Considerations

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 5936
Author(s):  
Pablo Campos-Garzón ◽  
Javier Sevil-Serrano ◽  
Yaira Barranco-Ruíz ◽  
Palma Chillón
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Young People ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
School Based ◽  
Review Protocol

There are no systematic reviews that have identified the existing studies assessing active commuting physical activity (PA) to and from (to/from) school using objective measures, as well as the contribution of both walking and cycling to/from school to PA levels. To fill this gap in the literature, this systematic review will aim (a) to identify existing studies that assess active commuting PA to/from school with objective measures in young people and to examine the contribution of walking and cycling to/from school to PA levels, and (b) to propose an appropriate methodology and practical considerations to assess active commuting PA to/from school based on the studies identified. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020162004). We will conduct a systematic search up to 2020 in five databases: PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTdiscuss, Cochrane Library, and National Transportation Library. Both the risk of bias and the quality of the identified studies will be evaluated through different instruments according to the design of each study. This systematic review will help to choose the most appropriate objective measures to assess active commuting PA to/from school and to promote walking and cycling to/from school to increase PA levels.

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