Examining Health-Related Effects of Refurbishment to Parks in a Lower Socioeconomic Area: The ShadePlus Natural Experiment

Degraded parks in disadvantaged areas are underutilized for recreation, which may impact long-term health. Using a natural experiment, we examined the effects of local government refurbishments to parks (n = 3 intervention; n = 3 comparison) in low socioeconomic areas (LSEA) of Melbourne on park use, health behavior, social engagement and psychological well-being. Amenities promoting physical activity and sun protection included walking paths, playground equipment and built shade. Outcomes were measured via systematic observations, and self-report surveys of park visitors over three years. The refurbishments significantly increased park use, while shade use increased only in parks with shade sails. A trend for increased social engagement was also detected. Findings infer improvement of quality, number and type of amenities in degraded parks can substantially increase park use in LSEA. Findings support provision of shade over well-designed playgrounds in future park refurbishments to enhance engagement and sun protection behavior. Further research should identify park amenities to increase physical activity.

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Mental health profile and health-related behavior among Hong Kong Chinese university students

Health Psychology Open ◽

10.1177/2055102918786869 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 205510291878686 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Cecilia MS Ma ◽

Catie CW Lai

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Chinese University ◽

Health Related Behaviors ◽

Health Related ◽

Chinese University Students

To better understand factors that are associated with individuals’ engagement in physical activity and other health-related behaviors, this study aimed to identify the psychological well-being profiles among Chinese university students, and explore whether engagement in physical activity and other health-related behaviors vary with different psychological well-being profiles. A battery of self-report questionnaires was completed by 2022 Chinese university students for assessing psychological well-being and health-related behaviors. Four psychological well-being profiles were identified. The vast students were mentally healthy. The students with better mental health displayed lower likelihood of engagement in unhealthy behaviors. Findings and implication of the study were discussed.

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Relationship between Sedentary Time, Physical Activity, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Spanish Children

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052702 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2702

Author(s):

Manuel Ávila-García ◽

María Esojo-Rivas ◽

Emilio Villa-González ◽

Pablo Tercedor ◽

Francisco Javier Huertas-Delgado

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Higher sedentary time and lower physical activity (PA) are associated with a poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children. The aims of this study were: (1) to analyze the sedentary time, objectively measured PA levels (light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)), and HRQoL dimensions (physical well-being, emotional well-being, self-esteem, family, friends, school, and total score) in children; and (2) to examine the association between sedentary time, PA levels, and HRQoL in children separately by sex. A total of 459 children (8.4 ± 0.4 years old, 50.54% males) from 15 schools in Granada (Spain) participated in the study. A tri-axial accelerometer was used to measure PA levels in the children for 7 consecutive days. The Revidierter KINDer Lebensqualitätsfragebogen (KINDL-R) questionnaire was used to determine the children’s HRQoL dimensions. The results showed that males presented more minutes engaged in MVPA than females. Both sedentary time and PA levels were associated with self-esteem and total score (all p < 0.05). In males, moderate and vigorous PA levels were associated with higher HRQoL, whereas light PA was associated with higher HRQoL in females. Future studies should take into account the use of activities with difference intensities in order to increase HRQoL in males and females.

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The relationship of self-reported and device-based measures of physical activity and health-related quality of life in adolescents

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes ◽

10.1186/s12955-021-01682-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kathrin Wunsch ◽

Claudio R. Nigg ◽

Susanne Weyland ◽

Darko Jekauc ◽

Claudia Niessner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

School Environment ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) has beneficial effects on health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), which is a protective factor of illness and mortality. The purpose of this examination was to investigate if self-reported and device-based measures of PA were related to HRQoL in adolescents. Methods Participants (N = 1565; 54.3% female; Mage = 14.37 years, SDage = 1.99) were recruited from 167 sample points across Germany. Adolescents self-reported their PA, supplemented by a 1-week examination of device-based PA using accelerometry. Additionally, they completed the multidimensional KIDSCREEN-27 to assess HRQoL. Results Results showed that self-reported PA was correlated with overall HRQoL, Physical Well-Being, Psychological Well-Being, Social Support & Peers, and School Environment, whereas device-based PA was only correlated with Physical as well as Psychological Well-Being. Further, self-reported PA significantly predicted all facets of HRQoL except for Autonomy and Parent Relations, whereas device-based PA solely heightened the amount of explained variance in the Physical Well-Being subscale. Conclusions Findings demonstrate the importance of self-reported PA as it is related to almost all facets of HRQoL. Both measures of PA are not congruent in their relationship with HRQoL and thus implications have to be carefully considered. Future studies should investigate the direct effect of PA on HRQoL and health in a longitudinal approach to account for the causality of effects.

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Health literacy needs among unemployed adults: Triangulating interview and scoping review data

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckab164.368 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽

Author(s):

F Samkange-Zeeb ◽

H Singh ◽

M Lakeberg ◽

J Kolschen ◽

B Schüz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

Intervention Development ◽

Well Being ◽

Related Information ◽

Health Related ◽

Nutrition And Physical Activity

Abstract Disadvantaged populations, including unemployed adults, often exhibit low levels of health literacy. Exploring subjectively perceived health literacy needs in these populations can serve as an entry point for participatory intervention development. We aimed to assess health literacy needs of unemployed adults by triangulating qualitative interviews data and a scoping review. Using a parallel approach, we combined results of an interview study with 10 participants of a job-reintegration program in Germany and a scoping review. The interviews, conducted in early 2021, focused on health topics of interest to the participants and their sources of health-related information. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. For the scoping review, we searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycInfo and SCOPUS up to January 2021 for studies containing “unemployed” AND “health literacy” in titles/abstracts. Study selection and data extraction were done independently by two researchers. Nutrition and physical activity emerged as core themes during the interviews, with some participants referring to the importance of both for mental health. Doctors and the institution running the job-reintegration program were the sources of health-related information often mentioned. The Corona pandemic was reported to have limited physical activity and affected psycho-social well-being. Five out of 2696 studies were included in the review. Four focused on mental health literacy, the fifth assessed information seeking practices in unemployed adults. The qualitative analysis revealed that health literacy needs of unemployed adults go beyond mental health literacy. As nutrition and physical activity impact mental health, interventions targeting such topics might also improve mental health literacy in unemployed adults. Study findings will be discussed with unemployed persons and social workers in co-production workshops that aim to identify and prioritize health literacy needs for intervention development. Key messages Health literacy programs for unemployed adults should target nutrition and physical activity. Workforce re-integration programs play a pivotal role in improving health literacy of unemployed adults.

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The Relationship Between Physical Activity, Health, and Well-Being

European Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1027/2512-8442/a000070 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 59-70

Author(s):

Kristine Klussman ◽

Julia Langer ◽

Austin Lee Nichols

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Meaning In Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Community Based ◽

Activity Intensity ◽

Different Types ◽

The Relationship ◽

Health And Well Being

Abstract. Background: Most people are comfortable asserting the beneficial effects of physical exercise on mental health and well-being. However, little research has examined how different types of physical activity affect these outcomes. Aims: The current study sought to provide a comprehensive understanding of the differential relationships between different types of physical activity and various aspects of health and well-being. In addition, we sought to understand the role of self-connection in these relationships. Method: One hundred forty-three participants completed a questionnaire designed to measure their current weekly activity as well as their current health and well-being. Specifically, we examined three intensities of activity (walking, moderate, and vigorous) and three types of activity (team-based, community-based, and not team nor community-based) on self-reported health, anxiety, depression, affect, flourishing, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and meaning in life. In addition, we examined self-connection as a possible moderator of these relationships. Results: Results suggested that physical activity was inconsistently related to health and well-being, and activity intensity and type were important to understanding these relationships. In contrast, self-connection reliably related to health and well-being and moderated the relationship between activity type and the presence of meaning. Limitations: The cross-sectional, self-report nature of the study limits its contribution. In addition, we only examined a subset of all physical activities that people engage in. Conclusion: In all, results suggest that the relationships between physical activity, mental health, and well-being are tenuous, at best. Future research needs to examine these relationships further and continue to examine self-connection to determine how to best increase health and well-being through physical activity.

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Abstract P234: Associations of Clinical Characteristics and Health-related Behaviors With Physical Activity Levels in Stage B Heart Failure Patients

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.141.suppl_1.p234 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Maira Tristao Parra ◽

Meredith A Pung ◽

Kathleen Wilson ◽

Christopher Pruitt ◽

Barry H Greenberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Heart Failure ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Well Being ◽

Physically Active ◽

Heart Failure Patients ◽

Health Related Behaviors ◽

Health Related ◽

Active Patients

Hypothesis: insufficiently active heart failure patients will report poorer QoL, more fatigue and depressive mood compared to active patients. Aims: To characterize clinical characteristics and health-related behaviors according to physical activity (PA). Also, to explore predicting factors of quality of life (QoL). Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of a cohort of Stage B HF patients. PA classification was set as active, moderately active or insufficiently active, according to the LTEQ questionnaire. For QoL, the SF-36 questionnaire was used. ANOVAS, Chi-Square tests or likelihood ratios and unadjusted multiple regression models were calculated. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: In this cohort, 277 HF patients completed the PA questionnaire. The prevalence of active patients was higher than moderately active and insufficiently active (53.3% vs 15.2% and 29.6%), respectively. Younger age (p = 0.044), lower waist circumference (WC) (p = 0.002), and lower waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.046) were associated with being active. The prevalence of Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the active groups was significantly lower (p = 0.001). Physically active groups had cases of mild LV enlargement (1.4% and 7.5%, respectively), while no cases were observed among insufficiently active patients (p = 0.017). PA was positively associated with less fatigue (p= 0.002), more vigor (p = 0.001), more self-efficacy (p < 0.001), and better quality of life (p = 0.002). Patients who were less physically active had more inflammation (CRP, p = 0.015; IL-6, p <0.001; TNF-α: p = 0.033, and IL-1ra, p = 0.001). WC (β =-0.16, p = 0.008), glucose (β =-0.12, p < 0.001) and fatigue (β = - 0.39, p < 0.001) predicted general health perception (R 2 = 0.449). For physical functioning (high scores reflects performing PA without limitations due to health), WC (β = - 0.28, p = 0.001), sleep (β = - 1.50, p = 0.003) and fatigue (β = - 0.32, p = 0.018) were significant predictors (R 2 = 0.422); while age (β = 0.36, p <0.001) physical activity (β = 0.051, p = 0.055), sleep (β = 0.50, p =0.046), fatigue (β = -0.37, p <0.001) and depression (β = -1.12, p <0.001) predicted emotional well-being (R 2 = 0.696). Conclusion: Physically active heart failure patients had a better anthropometric profile and lower prevalence of T2DM. In this cohort, PA was not a significant predictor for general and physical functioning, but it remained relevant for predicting emotional well-being.

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Combining Accelerometry and GPS to Assess Neighborhood-Based Physical Activity: Associations With Perceived Neighborhood Walkability

Environment and Behavior ◽

10.1177/0013916520906485 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 001391652090648

Author(s):

N. E. H. Stappers ◽

J. Schipperijn ◽

S. P. J. Kremers ◽

M. P. M. Bekker ◽

M. W. J. Jansen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Self Report ◽

Work Status ◽

Level Of Education ◽

Neighborhood Walkability ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Context Specific

This study explored associations between perceived neighborhood walkability and neighborhood-based physical activity (NB-PA) and assessed possible moderation effects of the amount of time spent in the home neighborhood and individual characteristics (i.e., educational level and health-related problems). In 2016 to 2017, 509 Dutch adults, living in the South Limburg area, were included. Context-specific PA levels were measured using the Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer and the Qstarz BTQ1000XT GPS-logger. Perceived neighborhood walkability, level of education, work status, and health-related quality of life were measured with validated self-report instruments. Results showed that individuals with a lower level of education or health-related problems spent more time in the home neighborhood. The perceived neighborhood walkability only affected NB-PA for individuals spending a relatively large amount of time in their home neighborhood. PA-facilitating features in the home neighborhood, for example, aesthetics, were only associated with more NB-PA for individuals without health-related problems or with a higher level of education.

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REVAMP: A natural experiment to examine the impact of park renewal on park-use and park-based physical activity

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport ◽

10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.154 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. e146-e147 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. Veitch ◽

J. Salmon ◽

A. Carver ◽

D. Crawford ◽

B. Giles-Corti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Natural Experiment ◽

Park Use ◽

The Impact

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Can Wearable Cameras be Used to Validate School-Aged Children’s Lifestyle Behaviours?

Children ◽

10.3390/children6020020 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 20 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Bethan Everson ◽

Kelly A. Mackintosh ◽

Melitta A. McNarry ◽

Charlotte Todd ◽

Gareth Stratton

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Self Report ◽

Ethical Framework ◽

Ethical Challenges ◽

Lifestyle Behaviours ◽

Wearable Camera ◽

Parents And Children ◽

Wearable Cameras ◽

Health Related ◽

Almost All

Wearable cameras combined with accelerometers have been used to estimate the accuracy of children’s self-report of physical activity, health-related behaviours, and the contexts in which they occur. There were two aims to this study; the first was to validate questions regarding self-reported health and lifestyle behaviours in 9–11-year-old children using the child’s health and activity tool (CHAT), an accelerometer and a wearable camera. Second, the study sought to evaluate ethical challenges associated with taking regular photographs using a wearable camera through interviews with children and their families. Fourteen children wore an autographer and hip-worn triaxial accelerometer for the waking hours of one school and one weekend day. For both of these days, children self-reported their behaviours chronologically and sequentially using the CHAT. Data were examined using limits of agreement and percentage agreement to verify if reference methods aligned with self-reported behaviours. Six parent–child dyads participated in interviews. Seven, five, and nine items demonstrated good, acceptable, and poor validity, respectively. This demonstrates that the accuracy of children’s recall varies according to the behaviour or item being measured. This is the first study to trial the use of wearable cameras in assessing the concurrent validity of children’s physical activity and behaviour recall, as almost all other studies have used parent proxy reports alongside accelerometers. Wearable cameras carry some ethical and technical challenges, which were examined in this study. Parents and children reported that the autographer was burdensome and in a few cases invaded privacy. This study demonstrates the importance of adhering to an ethical framework.

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Use of Prolonged Standing for Individuals With Spinal Cord Injuries

Physical Therapy ◽

10.1093/ptj/81.8.1392 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 81 (8) ◽

pp. 1392-1399 ◽

Cited By ~ 79

Author(s):

Janice J Eng ◽

Stephen M Levins ◽

Andrea F Townson ◽

Dianna Mah-Jones ◽

Joy Bremner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injuries ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Bladder Function ◽

Reflex Activity ◽

Prolonged Standing ◽

Health Related ◽

Extra Activity ◽

Survey Responses

AbstractBackground and Purpose. Prolonged standing in people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) has the potential to affect a number of health-related areas such as reflex activity, joint range of motion, or well-being. The purpose of this study was to document the patterns of use of prolonged standing and their perceived effects in subjects with SCIs. Subjects. The subjects were 152 adults with SCIs (103 male, 49 female; mean age=34 years, SD=8, range=18–55) who returned mailed survey questionnaires. Methods. A 17-item self-report survey questionnaire was sent to the 463 members of a provincial spinal cord support organization. Results. Survey responses for 26 of the 152 respondents were eliminated from the analysis because they had minimal effects from their injuries and did not need prolonged standing as an extra activity. Of the 126 remaining respondents, 38 respondents (30%) reported that they engaged in prolonged standing for an average of 40 minutes per session, 3 to 4 times a week, as a method to improve or maintain their health. The perceived benefits included improvements in several health-related areas such as well-being, circulation, skin integrity, reflex activity, bowel and bladder function, digestion, sleep, pain, and fatigue. The most common reason that prevented the respondents from standing was the cost of equipment to enable standing. Discussion and Conclusion. Considering the many reported benefits of standing, this activity may be useful for people with SCI. This study identified a number of body systems and functions that may need to be investigated if clinical trials of prolonged standing in people with SCI are undertaken.

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