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 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.

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.

“How Come You Sent Me the Canadian One?” Application and Uptake of the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults With Multiple Sclerosis in the United States

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Whitney N. Neal ◽  
Emma Richardson ◽  
Robert W. Motl
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Exercise Behavior ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation ◽  
Multifaceted Approach ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Semistructured Interviews

The uptake and benefits of the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults with Multiple Sclerosis (PAGs) have been validated, but there is limited understanding regarding the knowledge, needs, and preferences of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) for implementing the PAGs outside of clinical research. The authors conducted online, semistructured interviews with 40 persons with MS from across the United States seeking information on awareness of and potential approaches for increasing the uptake of the PAGs. They identified first impressions and potential approaches for increasing the uptake of the PAGs through inductive, semantic thematic analysis. Participants perceived the PAGs as a good introduction for structured exercise but desired more information on how to meet the PAGs. Participants further believed that modifying the PAGs for inclusivity and applying a multifaceted approach for dissemination and implementation may increase uptake of exercise behavior. Physical activity research in MS should include both analyzing the effects of exercise and the unique challenges faced by persons with MS in putting the PAGs into practice.

scholarly journals Disentangling Race, Poverty, and Place in Disparities in Physical Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armani Hawes ◽  
Genee Smith ◽  
Emma McGinty ◽  
Caryn Bell ◽  
Kelly Bower ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Social Context ◽  
Racial Disparities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

Significant racial disparities in physical activity—a key protective health factor against obesity and cardiovascular disease—exist in the United States. Using data from the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the 2000 United States (US) Census, we estimated the impact of race, individual-level poverty, neighborhood-level poverty, and neighborhood racial composition on the odds of being physically active for 19,678 adults. Compared to whites, blacks had lower odds of being physically active. Individual poverty and neighborhood poverty were associated with decreased odds of being physically active among both whites and blacks. These findings underscore the importance of social context in understanding racial disparities in physical activity and suggest the need for future research to determine specific elements of the social context that drive disparities.

scholarly journals Disparities in meeting physical activity guidelines for Asian-Americans in two metropolitan areas in the United States

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 656-660.e2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stella S. Yi ◽  
Calpurnyia Roberts ◽  
Amy S. Lightstone ◽  
Margaret Shih ◽  
Chau Trinh-Shevrin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Asian Americans ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
The United States ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines

scholarly journals Awareness and Adherence to Government Guidelines on Physical Activity by American Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1293-1293
Author(s):  
Teresia Mbogori
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Government ◽  
Chi Square Analysis

Abstract Objectives U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides physical activity guidelines for Americans. Current guidelines recommend at least 30–60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity 5 days a week. This level of physical activity is associated with reduction of many adverse health outcomes. This study sought to investigate the awareness and adherence to these guidelines by adults in the United States. Methods A secondary data analysis was conducted using the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS-5 Cycle 3), a nationally-representative survey administered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Data were collected between January and May 2019 among 5438 adults. Participants were asked if they were aware of government guidelines on physical activity, where they had heard this information and the action they took. In addition, participants were asked the number of days in a week they were physically active or exercised and for how long. Descriptive and Chi square statistics were used to determine the level of awareness and adherence to physical activity guidelines and the relationship between awareness and actions taken. Results About 36% of the participants stated that they had not heard about government recommendations on physical activity. 46% stated that they heard about the guidelines but did not make any changes to their physical activity routine while 5.3% stated that they increased their physical activity. Sources of this information were, television (34%), social media or internet (25%), health professionals or doctor (24%), and magazines (19%). About 54% of the participants reported that they were physically active 3 or more days per week while 26% stated that they did no physical activity. About 68.4% of those who reported exercising did so for 30–60 minutes while 15% exercised for more than 60 minutes per day. Chi square analysis showed that a higher percentage of those who reported not exercising at all also reported that they had not heard about the government recommendations of physical activity (X2 = 29.6; P &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions There still remains a considerable section of the population that is not aware of the government guidelines on physical activity. There is need for continued public education on the benefits of physical activity and the amount of physical activity that is likely to result in such benefits. Funding Sources None.

Changes in Policy Maker Attitudes Toward Active Living Communities Issues in Hawaii, 2007–2013

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1056-1062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan McGurk ◽  
Jay Maddock
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Policy Maker ◽  
The United States ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
The Other ◽  
Active Living ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Active Lifestyles

Background:Obesity and lack of physical activity are major public health problems in the United States. Well-designed, active living communities (ALCs) can help support physically active lifestyles. This study assessed attitudes of Hawaii decision makers in 2007 and 2013 to determine if priorities toward ALCs changed. Methods:Elected and appointed state and county officials were mailed surveys both years. Respondents rated the importance of 23 specified problems, which included 1 obesity variable and 5 ALC variables.Results:The survey was completed by 126 (70.4%) respondents in 2007 and 117 (60.9%) in 2013. Among the specific problems, only obesity increased in rank from 14th to ninth place. Three variables fell more than 2 places: increasing traffic (fifth to seventh place), poorly planned development and sprawl (seventh to 11th place) and pedestrian safety (12th to 17th place). The other 2 stayed relatively the same: lack of pedestrian walkways, sidewalks, and crosswalks (16th to 15th place) and lack of recreational activities (22nd to 23rd place).Conclusions:Across years, obesity concerns have increased but do not appear to be tied to increases in concern for ALC variables. More education for policymakers on the link between obesity, physical activity, and the built environment is necessary.

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