An Introduction to Parks, Recreation, and Public Health: Collaborative Frameworks for Promoting Physical Activity

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. S1-S13 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Librett ◽  
Karla Henderson ◽  
Geoffrey Godbey ◽  
James R. Morrow
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Learning Curve ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Health Decisions ◽  
Parks And Recreation ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Missed Opportunity

The purpose of parks and recreation as well as public health is to seek the highest possible quality of life for individuals and communities. Unfortunately, little discourse has occurred between the parks and recreation and public health professions. This missed opportunity has resulted in an incomplete understanding of the spectrum of issues shared by the fields, a slow transdisciplinary learning curve, and a dearth of knowledge-based linkages between science and practice. The goal of the 2006 Cooper Institute Conference on Parks, Recreation, and Public Health: Collaborative Frameworks for Promoting Physical Activity was to highlight opportunities and advance cooperation between parks, recreation, and public health researchers and practitioners that result in collaborations that influence public health decisions at the macro (agency) and micro (individual) levels. This article introduces the discussion on scientific and practice issues in parks, recreation, and public health. By establishing a baseline of frameworks for strengthening collaboration we hope to improve the health and quality of life through parks and recreation-based physical activity.

scholarly journals Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Adult Survivors of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 960-966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith M. Bellizzi ◽  
Julia H. Rowland ◽  
Neeraj K. Arora ◽  
Ann S. Hamilton ◽  
Melissa Farmer Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Purpose To examine the prevalence and correlates of physical activity in adult survivors of aggressive non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) and to explore the association between physical activity level and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients and Methods Physical activity and HRQOL data from 319 survivors of NHL (mean age, 59.8 years, standard deviation, ±14.8) who were diagnosed in Los Angeles County approximately 2 to 5 years before the study was analyzed. Results One quarter of survivors of NHL met public health guidelines of 150 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous exercise per week. More than half (53%) reported some activity but less than 150 minutes per week, whereas 20% reported no physical activity. Females, those with lower perceived health competence, and individuals with more comorbid limitations were at increased risk for inactivity. Individuals who met public health guidelines reported better HRQOL than those who were sedentary. Interestingly, our findings suggest a significant positive association between HRQOL and those who get at least some exercise. Conclusion The effort to promote physical activity among cancer survivors, who are at risk for poor quality of life as a result of treatment, is of great importance to the health of this growing population. As NHL, similar to other cancers, becomes a disease that people live with as opposed to one that people die as a result of, oncologists and primary care physicians will be increasingly challenged to provide evidence-based guidance for the long-term management of the patient's health. Consideration should be given to how clinicians frame exercise-promoting messages to cancer survivors, especially to those who are sedentary.

scholarly journals Physical Activity, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Stress among the Chinese Adult Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meiling Qi ◽  
Ping Li ◽  
Wendy Moyle ◽  
Benjamin Weeks ◽  
Cindy Jones
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Summary Score ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a threat to global public health due to home confinement policies impacting on physical activity engagement and overall health. This study aimed to explore physical activity participation, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and levels of perceived stress among Chinese adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted between 25 February and 15 March 2020. A total of 645 surveys were completed. Participants reported increased sedentary time from pre-COVID-19 period to the COVID-19 pandemic period (p < 0.05). Over 80% of the sample engaged in either low or moderate intensity physical activity. Participants’ average physical component summary score (PCS) and mental component summary score (MCS) for HRQoL were 75.3 (SD = 16.6) and 66.6 (SD = 19.3), respectively. More than half of participants (53.0%) reported moderate levels of stress. Significant correlations between physical activity participation, HRQoL, and levels of perceived stress were observed (p < 0.05). Prolonged sitting time was also found to have a negative effect on HRQoL (p < 0.05). During such periods of home confinement, public health strategies aimed at educating Chinese adults to enhance home-based physical activity may be necessary to maintain health on a population level.

An Integrated Clinic-Community Partnership for Child Obesity Treatment: A Randomized Pilot Trial

2018 ◽  
pp. 103-116
Author(s):  
Jessica Hoffman ◽  
Leah Frerichs ◽  
Mary Story ◽  
Jason Jones ◽  
Kiah Gaskin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Child Obesity ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Obesity Treatment ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Parks And Recreation ◽  
Child Bmi

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Effective treatment of childhood obesity remains elusive. Integration of clinical and community systems may achieve effective and sustainable treatment. However, the feasibility and effectiveness of this integrated model are unknown. METHODS We conducted a randomized clinical trial among children aged 5 to 11 presenting for obesity treatment. We randomized participants to clinical care or clinical care plus community-based programming at a local parks and recreation facility. Primary outcomes were the change in child BMI at 6 months and the intensity of the program in treatment hours. Secondary outcomes included health behaviors, fitness, attrition, and quality of life. RESULTS We enrolled 97 children with obesity, and retention at 6 months was 70%. Participants had a mean age of 9.1 years and a mean baseline BMI z score of 2.28, and 70% were living in poverty. Intervention participants achieved more treatment hours than controls (11.4 vs 4.4, SD: 15.3 and 1.6, respectively). We did not observe differences in child BMI z score or percent of the 95th percentile at 6 months. Intervention participants had significantly greater improvements in physical activity (P = .010) and quality of life (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS An integrated clinic-community model of child obesity treatment is feasible to deliver in a low-income and racially diverse population. As compared with multidisciplinary treatment, the integrated model provides more treatment hours, improves physical activity, and increases quality of life. Parks and recreation departments hold significant promise as a partner agency to deliver child obesity treatment.

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