scholarly journals COVID-19: Implications for Physical Activity, Health Disparities, and Health Equity

2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762110292
Author(s):  
Rebecca Hasson ◽  
James F. Sallis ◽  
Nailah Coleman ◽  
Navin Kaushal ◽  
Vincenzo G. Nocera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Equitable Access ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Sport Activities ◽  
Exercise Facilities ◽  
Temporary Closure ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Physical activity is one of the most efficacious pathways to promoting mental and physical health, preventing disease, and, most important during the COVID-19 pandemic, bolstering a stronger immune system. Efforts to “flatten the curve” have resulted in the temporary closure of exercise facilities and gyms, suspension of sport activities, and advisories to avoid public recreational spaces. All of these changes have made traditional opportunities to be physically active difficult to access. These changes have also exacerbated existing disparities in access to social and environmental supports for physical activity, potentially contributing to a widening gap in physical activity participation among those at greatest risk for COVID-19. Physical activity can play a special role in reducing the inequitable consequences of COVID-19; however, expansion and better targeting of evidence-informed interventions are needed that address the unique barriers present in communities that have been economically and socially marginalized to achieve health equity in COVID-19 outcomes. This review highlights effective and feasible strategies that provide more equitable access to physical activity programs and spaces across the United States. With a renewed investment in physical activity, this behavior can play a crucial role in improving population health and reducing disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Association of Behavioral Phenotypes With Changes in Sleep During a Workplace Wellness Program

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110150
Author(s):  
Kimberly J. Waddell ◽  
Sujatha Changolkar ◽  
Gregory Szwartz ◽  
Sarah Godby ◽  
Mitesh S. Patel
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Behavioral Phenotype ◽  
Workplace Wellness ◽  
Wellness Program ◽  
Behavioral Phenotypes ◽  
Physically Active

Purpose: Examine changes in sleep duration by 3 behavioral phenotypes during a workplace wellness program with overweight and obese adults. Design: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial Setting: Remotely monitored intervention conducted across the United States Subjects: 553 participants with a body mass index ≥25 Intervention: Participants were randomized to 1 of 4 study arms: control, gamification with support, gamification with collaboration, and gamification with competition to increase their physical activity. All participants were issued a wrist-worn wearable device to record their daily physical activity and sleep duration. Measures: The primary outcome was change in daily sleep duration from baseline during the 24 week intervention and follow-up period by study arm within behavioral phenotype class. Analysis: Linear mixed effects regression. Results: Participants who had a phenotype of less physically active and less social at baseline, in the gamification with collaboration arm, significantly increased their sleep duration during the intervention period (30.2 minutes [95% CI 6.9, 53.5], P = 0.01), compared to the control arm. There were no changes in sleep duration among participants who were more extroverted and motivated or participants who were less motivated and at-risk. Conclusions: Changes in sleep during a physical activity intervention varied by behavioral phenotype. Behavioral phenotypes may help to precisely identify who is likely to improve sleep duration during a physical activity intervention.

scholarly journals SLEEP QUALITY AS A MECHANISM LINKING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S779-S779
Author(s):  
Alycia N Bisson ◽  
Margie E Lachman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
The United States ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Waking Up ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Second Wave ◽  
Moderating Role

Abstract Modifiable health behaviors, such as physical activity and sleep quality are important for cognition throughout life. A growing body of research also suggests that engaging in enough physical activity is important to sleeping well. One recent study found that sleep efficiency mediates the relationship between physical activity and cognition. It is still unknown whether other metrics of sleep quality are mediators. The present study tested mediation in the second wave of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. Using the PROCESS macro for SPSS, we found that those who were more physically active fell asleep faster, and had better executive functioning. In addition, those who were more physically active reported waking up fewer times during the night, and had better executive functioning and self-rated memory. Discussion will focus on the moderating role of gender and distinctions between findings with different measures of sleep, physical activity, and cognition.

Physical Activity and Psychosocial Discomfort among High School Students in Taipei, Taiwan

2003 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randy M. Page ◽  
Ching-Mei Lee ◽  
Nae-Fang Miao ◽  
Kirk Dearden ◽  
Athena Carolan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Asian Country ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Students ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
National Differences ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between physical activity and psychosocial discomfort was investigated among a sample of 2,665 high school students in Taipei, Taiwan. Results showed that both boys and girls who were physically inactive or engaged in infrequent physical activity scored higher than their more physically active counterparts on three measures of psychosocial discomfort—loneliness, shyness, and hopelessness. Results also showed that a high proportion of Taipei City and Taipei County high school students did not report frequent participation in vigorous physical activity and strengthening exercises. This study's findings are discussed in the context of implications for health education programs aimed at increasing physical activity in youth. Additionally, this study explores cross-national differences in loneliness, shyness, and hoplessness between this sample of adolescents and samples of adolescents in the United States and another Asian country.

scholarly journals An examination of equal access in athletic programs throughout public high schools in the United States

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Rebecca R. Buchanan ◽  
Eleanor F. Odenheimer ◽  
Tanya R. Prewitt-White
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Public School ◽  
School Setting ◽  
The United States ◽  
Equal Access ◽  
Afterschool Programs ◽  
Educational Mission ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Global Competitiveness

The mission of the U.S. Department of Education is “to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access” (www.ed.gov).  As an extension of U.S. public education institutions, secondary afterschool programs involving physical activity are theoretically designed to enhance and support the educational mission of public schools.  Yet, due to the hyper-commodification of youth sports, “equal access” in sport and physical activity is becoming increasingly limited to parameters grounded in highly competitive environments reflecting broader sport trends in society.  An interesting paradox emerges in public school settings where the importance of physical activity for adolescents is also emphasized.  However, in reality, the majority of public tax dollars funding extracurricular opportunities to be physically active are only for those who are highly competitive, physically literate and have the financial means to assist in the funding of their sport experiences.  There are also issues related to gender in terms of who is being served.  Therefore, it is importance to examine how public resources relating to physical activity and health are being unequally allocated in the public school setting. 

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 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 < 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.

Physical Activity Experiences of Adolescent Girls Living in a Rural Community

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-172
Author(s):  
Luciana Zuest
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
The United States ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Visual Methods ◽  
Physical Competence ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Daily Lives

This study explored the daily life physical activity (PA) experiences of 11 adolescent girls living in a rural community in the Northwest of the United States. This qualitative study employed visual methods to explore adolescent girls’ PA experiences in their daily lives. Specifically, this study used visual diaries and photo-elicitation interviews to capture girls’ PA experiences. Data from this study revealed two distinct PA patterns among the 11 participants: casual movers and sporty girls. Casual movers have a much less structured approach to PA. They engage in a wide variety of PA types—mostly individual forms of PA and PA geared towards recreation. They describe fun, enjoyment, and task mastery as their main motivations to be physically active. Casual movers often engage in PA with family members and are compelled to be active outdoors and in their homes or neighborhoods. In contrast, all five sporty girls belong to competitive sports teams and have a more structured PA routine. They seek performance improvement and have high perceptions of physical competence. Sporty girls value being active with their teammates and receive strong support from their families in the form of encouragement, role modeling, and financial/structural assistance. Sporty girls feel confident being active in their schools’ fields, courts, and gymnasiums, but also appreciate the outdoors environment. Findings from this study support the need for schools to increase access to PA opportunities that are not focused on skill or fitness performance, thus appealing to casual movers’ approach to physical movement.

scholarly journals Association Between Insufficiently Physically Active and the Prevalence of Obesity in the United States

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Brock ◽  
Olivia Thomas ◽  
Charles D. Cowan ◽  
David B. Allison ◽  
Glenn A. Gaesser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Weighted Least Squares ◽  
The United States ◽  
Median Household Income ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Us States ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

Background:Numerous public health organizations have adopted national physical activity recommendations. Despite these recommendations, over half of the US population does not meet the minimum recommendation for physical activity, with large variations across individual US states.Methods:Using the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) prevalence data for physical activity and obesity by state, we performed a weighted least squares regression using prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) as the dependent variable and insufficiently physically active (included completely sedentary), age, race, gender, and median household income as the independent variables.Results:The unadjusted weighted least squares regression revealed a strong correlation between a state’s prevalence of obesity and the prevalence of insufficiently physically active (R = .76, R2 = .58, P < .0001). After adjusting for age, gender, race, and median household income, the prevalence of insufficiently physically active is still a significant predictor of the state prevalence of obesity (partial R = .44, R2 = .19 P = .004).Conclusion:Macroenvironmental and sociopolitical disparities between individual US states that transcend simple state-level demographic factors need to be examined more rigorously to identify unique barriers and promoters of physical activity.

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.

scholarly journals A qualitative exploration of potential determinants of accelerated summer weight gain among school-age children: perspectives from parents

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay A. Tanskey ◽  
Jeanne P. Goldberg ◽  
Kenneth Chui ◽  
Aviva Must ◽  
Catherine M. Wright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
The United States ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
School Age ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
School Year

Abstract Background There is growing evidence that school children in the United States gain weight more rapidly during the summer than the school year, but few studies have explored the causes of this phenomenon. The goal of this study was to qualitatively explore potential determinants of accelerated summer weight gain by interviewing parents of school-age children. Methods Key informant interviews were conducted with parents of third and fourth grade students enrolled in a school-based physical activity intervention in three peri-urban communities in Eastern Massachusetts. A structured interview guide was developed to assess school year and summertime differences in child diet, physical activity, daily routine, and family rules. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and major themes were identified using thematic analysis. Results Summer activities varied substantially by family. Many parents characterized summer as a time with less structure and more relaxed rules, particularly around bedtime and screen use. Parents perceived their child to be more physically active in the summer and reported few barriers to summertime physical activity. Parents reported increases in both positive (increased consumption of fruits and vegetables) and negative (increased consumption of “sweets” and “junk foods”) dietary behaviors. They highlighted several stressors unique to summer, such as the high cost of camps and the need to coordinate childcare and manage children’s time. Conclusions Parents perceived their children to be more physically active in the summer and consume more fruits and vegetables than during the school year. However, they also perceived children to consume more energy-dense, nutrient poor foods, engage in more screen time, and have later bedtimes during the summer. These behaviors are important targets for summertime obesity prevention interventions. Large-scale quantitative studies are needed to determine whether these parent perceptions reflect meaningful risk factors for accelerated summer weight gain.

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