scholarly journals Implementation contextual factors related to community-based active travel to school interventions: a mixed methods interview study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
MacKenzie Koester ◽  
Carolina M. Bejarano ◽  
Ann M. Davis ◽  
Ross C. Brownson ◽  
Jon Kerner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Active Travel ◽  
Family Needs ◽  
School Bus ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Walking School Bus ◽  
Active Travel To School

Abstract Background Active travel to school contributes to multiple physical and psychosocial benefits for youth, yet population rates of active travel to school are alarmingly low in the USA and many other countries. Though walking school bus interventions are effective for increasing rates of active travel to school and children’s overall physical activity, uptake of such interventions has been low. The objective of this study was to conduct a mixed methods implementation evaluation to identify contextual factors that serve as barriers and facilitators among existing walking school bus programs. Methods Semi-structured interviews guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) were conducted with leaders of low-sustainability (n = 9) and high-sustainability (n = 11) programs across the USA. A combination of quantitative (CFIR-based) coding and inductive thematic analysis was used. The CFIR-based ratings were compared between the low- and high-sustainability programs and themes, subthemes, and exemplary quotes were provided to summarize the thematic analysis. Results In both the low- and high-sustainability programs, three of the 15 constructs assessed were commonly rated as positive (i.e., favorable for supporting implementation): student/family needs and resources, implementation climate, and planning. Three constructs were more often rated as positive in the high-sustainability programs: organizational incentives and rewards, engaging students and parents, and reflecting and evaluating. Three constructs were more often rated as positive in the low-sustainability programs: student/family needs and resources - built environment, available resources, and access to knowledge and information. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: planning considerations, ongoing coordination considerations, resources and supports, and benefits. Conclusions Engagement of students, parents, and community members were among the factors that emerged across the quantitative and qualitative analyses as most critical for supporting walking school bus program implementation. The information provided by program leaders can help in the selection of implementation strategies that overcome known barriers for increasing the long-term success of community-based physical activity interventions such as the walking school bus.

scholarly journals Barriers and Facilitators for the Implementation and Evaluation of Community-Based Interventions to Promote Physical Activity and Healthy Diet: A Mixed Methods Study in Argentina

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Belizan ◽  
R. Chaparro ◽  
Marilina Santero ◽  
Natalia Elorriaga ◽  
Nadja Kartschmit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Project Evaluation ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based

Background: Obesogenic environments promote sedentary behavior and high dietary energy intake. The objective of the study was to identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation and impact evaluation of projects oriented to promote physical activity and healthy diet at community level. We analyzed experiences of the projects implemented within the Healthy Municipalities and Communities Program (HMCP) in Argentina. Methods: A mixed methods approach included (1) in-depth semi-structured interviews, with 44 stakeholders; and (2) electronic survey completed by 206 individuals from 96 municipalities across the country. Results: The most important barriers included the lack of: adequate funding (43%); skilled personnel (42%); equipment and material resources (31%); technical support for data management and analysis (20%); training on project designs (12%); political support from local authorities (17%) and acceptance of the proposed intervention by the local community (9%). Facilitators included motivated local leaders, inter-sectorial participation and seizing local resources. Project evaluation was mostly based on process rather than outcome indicators. Conclusions: This study contributes to a better understanding of the difficulties in the implementation of community-based intervention projects. Findings may guide stakeholders on how to facilitate local initiatives. There is a need to improve project evaluation strategies by incorporating process, outcome and context specific indicators.

Is a Change to Active Travel to School an Important Source of Physical Activity for Chinese Children?

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Y. Huang ◽  
Stephen H. Wong ◽  
Gang He
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Linear Mixed Models ◽  
Active Travel ◽  
Chinese Children ◽  
Travel Mode ◽  
Age Related ◽  
One Year ◽  
Active Travel To School

This study investigated the association between a change in travel mode to school and one-year changes in physical activity (PA) among children in Hong Kong. Data from 677 children aged 7–10 years (56% boys) who participated in the Understanding Children’s Activity and Nutrition (UCAN) study were analyzed. During the 2010/11 and 2011/12 school years, the children wore an accelerometer for a week and their parents completed a questionnaire about the children’s modes of travel to school and nonschool destinations. Associations between a change in the mode of travel to school and changes in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were determined using linear mixed models, adjusting for covariates. Compared with children who consistently used passive travel modes, a change from passive to active travel to school was positively associated with changes in the percentage of time spent in MVPA (b = 1.32, 95% CI = 0.63, 2.02) and MVPA min/day (b = 10.97, 95% CI = 5.26, 16.68) on weekdays. Similar results were found for weekly MVPA. Promoting active travel to school may help to combat age-related decline in PA for some Chinese children. However, maintaining active travel to school may not be sufficient to halt the decreasing trend in MVPA with age.

scholarly journals The Associations of Active Travel to School with Physical Activity and Screen Time Among Adolescents: Do Individual and Parental Characteristics Matter?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caihong Huang ◽  
Aamir Raoof Memon ◽  
Chaomei Liang ◽  
Jin-Tao Hong ◽  
Youliang Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Active Travel ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Parental Characteristics ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Active Travel To School

Abstract Background: Little is known about the relationship of active travel to school (ATS) with physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) by individual and parental characteristics among adolescents, especially in China. To address the research gap, this study aimed to explore the difference of sex, age, geographical location, parental occupation and education level in the relationship of ATS with PA and ST among students of grades 7-12 using cross-sectional data.Methods: In 13 cities of Hubei province, China, students from 39 public schools were recruited to engage in the survey. In total, 5898 students (response rate = 89.6%) were invited into this study. Participants were required to report their ATS (including its types), PA and ST as well as sociodemographic information using validated questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were used to report the information of all variables. Regression models were used to analyze the relationships of ATS and its types with PA and ST.Results: In a total of 4128 participants (boy: 50.9%; younger adolescents: 61.9%) included in the final analysis, the proportion of those with ATS was 47.3%. Regarding the types of ATS, walking accounted for over 30%, while cycling was 13.2%. Participants with ATS were more likely to have sufficient PA (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.14-1.39), especially among boys, younger adolescents and those with lower parental education level. However, ATS was not associated with ST (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.86-1.01). Participants with cycling had higher odds ratio of being physically active (OR for cycling = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.27-1.70; OR for walking = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06-1.32). The association of ATS types with PA and ST differed by gender, age, geographical location and parental educational level as well as occupations.Conclusions: ATS may be a useful approach to increase PA among adolescents, but this should be explained by individual and parental characteristics.

scholarly journals Sustainable Mobility Promotion During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-23
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Active Travel ◽  
Physical Activity Guideline ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sustainable Transport ◽  
Sustainable Mobility ◽  
Korean Society ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Active Travel To School

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Korea, surveys have reported rising issues with physical inactivity and obesity, social isolation, and economic depression. We analyzed the implications of active mobility and attuned it towards Korean society, exploring the possible scenarios, cases, and policies. Our research recommended active mobility to be an effective solution. Originally, the keywords used in Google Scholar were COVID-19, active mobility, and physical activity. To add more depth, active transport and active travel were inserted later on. The physical activity guideline, socioeconomic and environmental mechanisms were explored by scouring through documents published by various institutions and local authorities. Other cases about active mobility were summarized, while policy interventions, such as utilizing active travel to school were suggested. Sustainable Transport strives for the development of efficient methods of personal mobility on three major fronts: economic growth, environmental preservation (13 SDGs), and social development. Since the emergence of COVID-19, cases of sustainable active mobility have increased; countries utilizing WHO’s Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to find ways to improve health and well-being. Based on the recent development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), infrastructure, and the legal system in Korea, the country needs to implement safe methods for active mobility to develop further. Sustainable mobility could positively address the problems that arose with the emergence of COVID-19. Using good cases with a careful application to Korean society is necessary. Some policy interventions including active travel to school could be applicable with careful preparation and participation. Prudent advocacy from the government is also needed to promote new regulations. When we read about COVID-19 rapidly spreading across Europe, especially Italy, both researchers were alarmed at the news. As time passed, we were intrigued by the quick reaction of the governments to guide their cities from electric vehicles to sustainable transport. Through this paper, we were able to learn more in-depth details about Italy’s big cities and how they achieved homogeneous awareness regarding sustainable mobility (Table 1). Was COVID-19 the trigger? However, due to the different socioeconomic aspects between Italy and South Korea, the root cause was difficult to discern. We would recommend that future research addresses more comprehensive aspects for foreigners to learn from the study.

scholarly journals What’s being tested and what’s being learnt? A contribution to lessons learned evaluation methods for community-based sustainability initiatives.

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Mitchell ◽  
Mark Lemon ◽  
Gavin Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Project Design ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽  
Sentiment Mining

Aim:There is little good practice guidance with respect to methods and skills for conducting lessons learned evaluations of community-based development projects. In this paper we utilise a mixed methods approach to evaluate the lessons learned by the team members and stakeholders of a funded five year ‘test-and-learn’ sustainability initiative. The approach combines a statistical and a qualitative thematic analysis of transcribed textual data and presents an analytic framework with which to track the lessons learned by community development projects.  Design/ Research methods:A mixed methods approach combining text and sentiment mining complemented by a qualitative thematic analysis is applied to the same data collected from stakeholder responses to an on-line survey and the transcribed audio recordings of four focus groups in which stakeholders participated. Conclusions/ findings:Employing replicable tools, augmented by qualitative research methods, provide a framework for a systematic approach to elicit and capture lessons learned by a sustainable community development project. These bear on how project activities, from engagement to supporting the local food economy, have been experienced by stakeholders and their learning acquired over the course of the project. Implications for future project design and funding options are considered. Originality/ value of the article:Despite the evident value of its contribution to improving project design and funding options, the evaluation of lessons learned in community-based sustainability work remains under-researched. The combined use of text and sentiment mining techniques with qualitative thematic analysis on the same data offers an original contribution to research in this field.

Evaluation of a Walking School Bus for Promoting Physical Activity in Youth

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 560-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate A. Heelan ◽  
Bryce M. Abbey ◽  
Joseph E. Donnelly ◽  
Matthew S. Mayo ◽  
Gregory J. Welk
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Daily Physical Activity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Control School ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
School Bus ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Walking School Bus ◽  
Walking To School

Background:Walking to and from school has potential to increase daily physical activity among children.Methods:A Walking School Bus (WSB) intervention was implemented for 2 years in 2 schools with a third school as a control. The primary aim evaluated school-wide prevalence of walking to school by self-report 6 times (fall, winter, spring). The secondary aims compared objective physical activity levels among a subsample of research participants (intervention [INT] = 201, control [CON] =123) and between frequency of walking to school groups. INT and CON participants wore an accelerometer during 4 time periods to assess daily physical activity and were measured for body mass index (BMI) and body fat each fall and spring.Results:School-wide prevalence of walking to school frequently (>50% of the time each week) was 27% higher in the WSB schools than in the control school. INT obtained significantly more daily physical activity than CON (78.0 [38.9] vs 60.6 [27.7] min/d, P < .05). In addition, across all schools, frequent walkers obtained 25% more physical activity (P < .05), gained 58% less body fat (P < .05), and attenuated BMI by 50% (P < .05) compared with passive commuters.Conclusion:This study suggests a WSB intervention may increase frequency of walking to school and establishes a link with increased daily physical activity.

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