scholarly journals Obesity Prevention In Urban Settings: Creating Healthy Environments

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-50
Author(s):  
Shari McMahan ◽  
Graciela Amaya
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
California State University ◽  
State University ◽  
Santa Ana ◽  
Activity Unit ◽  
Parking Lot ◽  
Commuting Patterns

The Center for the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles and Obesity Prevention, housed in the College of Health and Human Development, at California State University, Fullerton promotes interdisciplinary research and community outreach in areas related to children’s health and weight management. Two studies focusing on the built environment are showcased. The first study, “Commuting Patterns and Obesity Risk” demonstrates that students with longer commute times are more likely to have a body mass index (BMI) over 25, which is considered overweight. The second study, “Increasing Physical Activity with a Mobile Physical Activity Unit” turned a parking lot into a playground. This was created to provide children in Santa Ana, one of the densest cities in Orange County, California, a place to play. The built environment can have a profound effect on physical activity and if given the opportunity, is important to address in the design stages for the health of our communities. 

scholarly journals Obesity Prevention In Infants, Children And Adults: An Interdisciplinary Approach

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-62
Author(s):  
Shari McMahan ◽  
Graciela Amaya
Keyword(s):  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
California State University ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
State University ◽  
Multi Level

The Center for the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles and Obesity Prevention, housed in the College of Health and Human Development, at California State University Fullerton promotes interdisciplinary research and community outreach in areas related to children’s health and weight management. Three research projects presented below offer a comprehensive multi-level approach that guides us in developing current and future programs that are effective for addressing obesity in infants, children, and adults. These projects range from creating and testing a telenovela, designing a healthy eating program emphasizing breakfast nutrition and physical activity, and finally looking at the role of the environment in terms of commute times and obesity patterns. 

scholarly journals Evaluation of Physical Activity Participation, Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectancy for Employees Participating in Exercise Is Medicine® On Campus Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 41-48
Author(s):  
Maximilian Gastelum-Morales ◽  
Lisa Leininger ◽  
Joanna Morrissey ◽  
Ryan Luke ◽  
Mark DeBeliso
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
California State University ◽  
Outcome Expectancy ◽  
Health Promotion Program ◽  
Monterey Bay ◽  
State University ◽  
Exercise Participation ◽  
Training Class

Exercise Is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) is a worldwide initiative from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) to promote physical activity (PA) at universities. California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) implemented this initiative in Fall 2019 with offerings to students and employees. For employees, an “Introduction to Resistance Training Class” was offered. Participants attended classes two times per week, with the sessions lasting approximately fifty minutes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the EIM-OC employee Introduction to Resistance Training class for its effectiveness on increasing PA, self-efficacy, and outcome expectancy. The research design was pre-post, with participants completing online questionnaires before and after the course. The Godin Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (LTPQ), Resistance Training Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectancy Questionnaire, and Self-Efficacy and the Maintenance of Exercise Participation in Older Adults Questionnaire were included. The training class had a total of 14 female participants, 12 of which completed the pre- and post-questionnaires. There was a significant increase (t=-3.2, df=11, p=.004) in resistance training self-efficacy score following the course (M=3.52±1.03 versus M=4.31±.56). Resistance training outcome expectancy score was also statistically significant (t=-2.54, df=11, p=.01) following the course (M=4.48±.53 versus M=4.71±.37). There were increases in strenuous exercise days, physical activity scores, and future resistance training self-efficacy, although they were not statistically significant. The results of this study indicate that employee exercise classes, as part of the EIM-OC initiative, can be effective in increasing resistance training self-efficacy, and outcome expectancy. These indicators are important for individuals to maintain lifelong PA therefore future programming and research on EIM-OC should continue. KEYWORDS: Exercise Is MedicineⓇ-On Campus; Resistance Training; Physical Activity; Exercise; Worksite Health Promotion Program; Self-Efficacy; Outcome Expectancy; Employees; California State University, Monterey Bay

Promising Research, Programs, and Projects: Safemap

1993 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
David Pagni
Keyword(s):  
School District ◽  
National Science Foundation ◽  
Elementary Mathematics ◽  
California State University ◽  
Summer Institute ◽  
State University ◽  
Santa Ana ◽  
Research Programs ◽  
National Science ◽  
Unified School District

Safemap is an acronym for the Santa Ana/Fullerton Elementary Mathematics Project, a partnership between the Santa Ana Unified School District and California State University at Fullerton and is cofunded with the National Science Foundation. Teachers of grades K–5 meet on weekends once a month to study mathematics content, complete homework assignments, and prepare to implement lessons in their classrooms, all of which are shared and discussed at the next monthly meeting. Regularly scheduled monthly meetings allow for networking and bonding among teachers that have not previously been evident in summer institute. Every participant in SAFEMAP is also trained in Family Math courses and conducts six Family Math sessions for students and their parents.

scholarly journals Later sleep timing predicts accelerated summer weight gain among elementary school children: a prospective observational study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennette P. Moreno ◽  
Javad Razjouyan ◽  
Houston Lester ◽  
Hafza Dadabhoy ◽  
Mona Amirmazaheri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
School Year ◽  
Children’S Sleep

Abstract Objectives and background Social demands of the school-year and summer environment may affect children’s sleep patterns and circadian rhythms during these periods. The current study examined differences in children’s sleep and circadian-related behaviors during the school-year and summer and explored the association between sleep and circadian parameters and change in body mass index (BMI) during these time periods. Methods This was a prospective observational study with 119 children ages 5 to 8 years with three sequential BMI assessments: early school-year (fall), late school-year (spring), and beginning of the following school-year in Houston, Texas, USA. Sleep midpoint, sleep duration, variability of sleep midpoint, physical activity, and light exposure were estimated using wrist-worn accelerometry during the school-year (fall) and summer. To examine the effect of sleep parameters, physical activity level, and light exposure on change in BMI, growth curve modeling was conducted controlling for age, race, sex, and chronotype. Results Children’s sleep midpoint shifted later by an average of 1.5 h during summer compared to the school-year. After controlling for covariates, later sleep midpoints predicted larger increases in BMI during summer, (γ = .0004, p = .03), but not during the school-year. Sleep duration, sleep midpoint variability, physical activity levels, and sedentary behavior were not associated with change in BMI during the school-year or summer. Females tended to increase their BMI at a faster rate during summer compared to males, γ = .06, p = .049. Greater amounts of outdoor light exposure (γ = −.01, p = .02) predicted smaller increases in school-year BMI. Conclusions Obesity prevention interventions may need to target different behaviors depending on whether children are in or out of school. Promotion of outdoor time during the school-year and earlier sleep times during the summer may be effective obesity prevention strategies during these respective times.

Built environment, physical activity and obesity of adults in Pingshan District, Shenzhen City in Southern China

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Qianqian Dun ◽  
Yiting Duan ◽  
Maozhen Fu ◽  
Hongdao Meng ◽  
Wanglin Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Shenzhen City

scholarly journals Validity, reliability, and calibration of the physical activity unit 7 item screener (PAU-7S) at population scale

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmut Schröder ◽  
Isaac Subirana ◽  
Julia Wärnberg ◽  
María Medrano ◽  
Marcela González-Gross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Weighted Kappa ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Activity Unit ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Acceptable Internal Consistency

Abstract Background Validation of self-reported tools, such as physical activity (PA) questionnaires, is crucial. The aim of this study was to determine test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and the concurrent, construct, and predictive validity of the short semi-quantitative Physical Activity Unit 7 item Screener (PAU-7S), using accelerometry as the reference measurement. The effect of linear calibration on PAU-7S validity was tested. Methods A randomized sample of 321 healthy children aged 8–16 years (149 boys, 172 girls) from the nationwide representative PASOS study completed the PAU-7S before and after wearing an accelerometer for at least 7 consecutive days. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured. Cronbach alpha was calculated for internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was determined by intra-class correlation (ICC). Concurrent validity was assessed by ICC and Spearman correlation coefficient between moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) derived by the PAU-7S and by accelerometer. Concordance between both methods was analyzed by absolute agreement, weighted kappa, and Bland-Altman statistics. Multiple linear regression models were fitted for construct validity and predictive validity was determined by leave-one-out cross-validation. Results The PAU-7S overestimated MVPA by 18%, compared to accelerometers (106.5 ± 77.0 vs 95.2 ± 33.2 min/day, respectively). A Cronbach alpha of 0.76 showed an acceptable internal consistency of the PAU-7S. Test-retest reliability was good (ICC 0.71 p < 0.001). Spearman correlation and ICC coefficients of MVPA derived by the PAU-7S and accelerometers increased from 0.31 to 0.62 and 0.20 to 0.62, respectively, after calibration of the PAU-7S. Between-methods concordance improved from a weighted kappa of 0.24 to 0.50 after calibration. A slight reduction in ICC, from 0.62 to 0.60, yielded good predictive validity. Multiple linear regression models showed an inverse association of MVPA with standardized body mass index (β − 0.162; p < 0.077) and waist to height ratio (β − 0.010; p < 0.014). All validity dimensions were somewhat stronger in boys compared to girls. Conclusion The PAU-7S shows a good test-retest reliability and acceptable internal consistency. All dimensions of validity increased from poor/fair to moderate/good after calibration. The PAU-7S is a valid instrument for measuring MVPA in children and adolescents. Trial registration Trial registration numberISRCTN34251612.

Epic Cruelty: On Post-Pandemic Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-136
Author(s):  
Rick Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
United States ◽  
African Americans ◽  
The United States ◽  
California State University ◽  
The State ◽  
State University ◽  
White Supremacist ◽  
Systemic Racism ◽  
Disaster Capitalism

As today’s catastrophic Covid-19 pandemic exacerbates ongoing crises, including systemic racism, rising ethno-nationalism, and fossil-fuelled climate change, the neoliberal world that we inhabit is becoming increasingly hostile, particularly for the most vulnerable. Even in the United States, as armed white-supremacist, pro-Trump forces face off against protesters seeking justice for African Americans, the hostility is increasingly palpable, and often frightening. Yet as millions of Black Lives Matter protesters demonstrated after the brutal police killing of George Floyd, the current, intersecting crises – worsened by Trump’s criminalization of anti-racism protesters and his dismissal of science – demand a serious, engaged, response from activists as well as artists. The title of this article is meant to evoke not only the state of the unusually cruel moment through which we are living, but also the very different approaches to performance of both Brecht and Artaud, whose ideas, along with those of others – including Benjamin, Butler, Latour, Mbembe, and Césaire – inform the radical, open-ended, post-pandemic theatre practice proposed in this essay. A critically acclaimed dramatist as well as Professor of English and Playwriting at California State University, Northridge, Mitchell’s published volumes of plays include Disaster Capitalism; or Money Can’t Buy You Love: Three Plays; Brecht in L.A.; and Ventriloquist: Two Plays and Ventriloquial Miscellany. He is the editor of Experimental O’Neill, and is currently at work on a series of post-pandemic plays.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document