scholarly journals Built Environment and Active Transport to School (BEATS) Study: Multidisciplinary and Multi-Sector Collaboration for Physical Activity Promotion (El estudio «Entorno construido y desplazamiento activo a la escuela (BEATS)»: colaboración multidisciplinaria

Retos ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 197-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Mandic ◽  
Ashley Mountfort ◽  
Debbie Hopkins ◽  
Charlotte Flaherty ◽  
John Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Active Transport ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Recruitment Rate ◽  
City Council ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Activity Promotion

Abstract.  The Built Environment and Active Transport to School (BEATS) Study examines active transport to school (ATS) in adolescents in Dunedin, New Zealand, using the ecological model for active transport which accounts for individual, social, environmental, and policy influences. This article describes the BEATS Study design, the establishment of research and community collaborations, planning and preparation for data collection, study implementation and dissemination activities and selected preliminary findings. The BEATS Study is founded on a multidisciplinary approach and multi-sector collaborations between secondary schools, the city council, the local communities, and academia. The study uses a mixed-method approach incorporating both quantitative (survey) and qualitative (focus groups/interviews) approaches with students, parents, teachers and school principals. All 12 secondary schools in Dunedin, New Zealand, are participating in the study. As of September 2014, 1,272 adolescents from nine schools (age: 15.3±1.4 years; 46.6% boys) completed the student survey. Three additional schools will be surveyed in 2015. On average, 33.0% of Dunedin adolescents use ATS. ATS rates vary greatly by school (range: 8.6% to 46.5%) and most students like the way how they travel to school (88.3%). With 100% school recruitment rate, this study provides a unique sample of students and parents across one city with a heterogeneous physical environment. The findings will enable community health promoters, policy makers and city planners to address ATS barriers, encourage active transport and create supportive built environments to promote ATS.Resumen. El estudio de entornos construidos y transporte activo a la escuela examina el transporte activo a la escuela (TAE) en adolescentes en Dunedin, Nueva Zelanda, utilizando el modelo ecológico para representar las influencias individuales, sociales, ambientales y de políticas que tienen relación con el transporte activo. En este artículo se describe el diseño del Estudio BEATS, el establecimiento de la investigación y las colaboraciones con la comunidad, la planificación y la preparación para la recopilación de datos, la implementación del estudio y las actividades de difusión, y una selección de las conclusiones preliminares. El Estudio BEATS se basa en un enfoque multidisciplinar y en colaboraciones multisectoriales entre los colegios de Secundaria, el consejo de gobierno la ciudad, las comunidades locales y el ámbito académico. El estudio utiliza métodos mixtos incorporando tanto  técnicas cuantitativas (encuesta) como cualitativas (grupos focales / entrevistas) con los estudiantes, padres, maestros y directores de los centros escolares. Los 12 colegios de Educación Secundaria en Dunedin, Nueva Zelanda, están participando en el estudio. En septiembre de 2014, 1.272 adolescentes de nueve centros (edad: 15,3 ± 1,4 años; 46,6% varones) completaron la encuesta estudiantil. Tres escuelas adicionales serán encuestadas en 2015. En promedio, el 33,0% de los adolescentes en Dunedin usan TAE. Las tasas de TAE varían en gran medida en función del colegio (rango: 8,6% a 46,5%) y a la mayoría de los estudiantes les gusta la forma en que se desplazan al centro escolar (88,3%). Con el 100% de tasa de reclutamiento de colegios, este estudio ofrece una muestra única de los estudiantes y padres de una ciudad con un entorno físico heterogéneo. Los resultados permitirán a los promotores de salud comunitarios, políticos y diseñadores urbanos hacer frente a las barreras relativas al TAE, fomentar el transporte activo y crear entornos construidos facilitadores para promover el TAE.

scholarly journals Built environment changes and active transport to school among adolescents: BEATS Natural Experiment Study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e034899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Mandic ◽  
Debbie Hopkins ◽  
Enrique García Bengoechea ◽  
Antoni Moore ◽  
Susan Sandretto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Active Transport ◽  
Natural Experiment ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Natural Experiments ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionNatural experiments are considered a priority for examining causal associations between the built environment (BE) and physical activity (PA) because the randomised controlled trial design is rarely feasible. Few natural experiments have examined the effects of walking and cycling infrastructure on PA and active transport in adults, and none have examined the effects of such changes on PA and active transport to school among adolescents. We conducted the Built Environment and Active Transport to School (BEATS) Study in Dunedin city, New Zealand, in 2014–2017. Since 2014, on-road and off-road cycling infrastructure construction has occurred in some Dunedin neighbourhoods, including the neighbourhoods of 6 out of 12 secondary schools. Pedestrian-related infrastructure changes began in 2018. As an extension of the BEATS Study, the BEATS Natural Experiment (BEATS-NE) (2019–2022) will examine the effects of BE changes on adolescents’ active transport to school in Dunedin, New Zealand.Methods and analysisThe BEATS-NE Study will employ contemporary ecological models for active transport that account for individual, social, environmental and policy factors. The published BEATS Study methodology (surveys, accelerometers, mapping, Geographic Information Science analysis and focus groups) and novel methods (environmental scan of school neighbourhoods and participatory mapping) will be used. A core component continues to be the community-based participatory approach with the sustained involvement of key stakeholders to generate locally relevant data, and facilitate knowledge translation into evidence-based policy and planning.Ethics and disseminationThe BEATS-NE Study has been approved by the University of Otago Ethics Committee (reference: 17/188). The results will be disseminated through scientific publications and symposia, and reports and presentations to stakeholders.Trial registration numberACTRN12619001335189.

scholarly journals Sociodemographic and Built Environment Associates of Travel to School by Car among New Zealand Adolescents: Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 9138
Author(s):  
Sandra Mandic ◽  
Erika Ikeda ◽  
Tom Stewart ◽  
Nicholas Garrett ◽  
Debbie Hopkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Active Transport ◽  
Traffic Congestion ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
School Level ◽  
Stepwise Logistic Regression ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Intersection Density ◽  
Car Travel

Travelling to school by car diminishes opportunities for physical activity and contributes to traffic congestion and associated noise and air pollution. This meta-analysis examined sociodemographic characteristics and built environment associates of travelling to school by car compared to using active transport among New Zealand (NZ) adolescents. Four NZ studies (2163 adolescents) provided data on participants’ mode of travel to school, individual and school sociodemographic characteristics, distance to school and home-neighbourhood built-environment features. A one-step meta-analysis using individual participant data was performed in SAS. A final multivariable model was developed using stepwise logistic regression. Overall, 60.6% of participants travelled to school by car. When compared with active transport, travelling to school by car was positively associated with distance to school. Participants residing in neighbourhoods with high intersection density and attending medium deprivation schools were less likely to travel to school by car compared with their counterparts. Distance to school, school level deprivation and low home neighbourhood intersection density are associated with higher likelihood of car travel to school compared with active transport among NZ adolescents. Comprehensive interventions focusing on both social and built environment factors are needed to reduce car travel to school.

scholarly journals Active Transport to School and School Neighbourhood Built Environment across Urbanisation Settings in Otago, New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 9013
Author(s):  
Mohammad Lutfur Rahman ◽  
Tessa Pocock ◽  
Antoni Moore ◽  
Sandra Mandic
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Active Transport ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
School Level ◽  
Residential Density ◽  
Perceived Safety ◽  
Walkability Index ◽  
Intersection Density

The school neighbourhood built environment (BE) can facilitate active transport to school (ATS) in adolescents. Most previous studies examining ATS were conducted in large urban centres and focused on BE of home neighbourhoods. This study examined correlations between school-level ATS rates among adolescents, objectively measured school neighbourhood BE features, and adolescents’ perceptions of the school route across different urbanisation settings. Adolescents (n = 1260; 15.2 ± 1.4 years; 43.6% male) were recruited from 23 high schools located in large, medium, and small urban areas, and rural settings in Otago, New Zealand. Adolescents completed an online survey. School neighbourhood BE features were analysed using Geographic Information Systems. School neighbourhood intersection density, residential density and walkability index were higher in large urban areas compared to other urbanisation settings. School-level ATS rates (mean 38.1%; range: 27.8%–43.9%) were negatively correlated with school neighbourhood intersection density (r = −0.58), residential density (r = −0.60), and walkability index (r = −0.64; all p < 0.01). School-level ATS rates were also negatively associated with adolescents’ perceived safety concerns for walking (r = −0.76) and cycling (r = −0.78) to school, high traffic volume (r = −0.82), and presence of dangerous intersections (r = −0.75; all p < 0.01). Future initiatives to encourage ATS should focus on school neighbourhood BE features and minimise adolescents’ traffic safety related concerns.

Physical Activity Promotion in Business and Industry: Evidence, Context, and Recommendations for a National Plan

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (s2) ◽  
pp. S220-S235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolaas P. Pronk
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Financial Return ◽  
Industry Sector ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Recommendations For Practice ◽  
The Impact

Background:The contemporary workplace setting is in need of interventions that effectively promote higher levels of occupational and habitual physical activity. It is the purpose of this paper to outline an evidence-based approach to promote physical activity in the business and industry sector in support of a National Physical Activity Plan.Methods:Comprehensive literature searches identified systematic reviews, comprehensive reviews, and consensus documents on the impact of physical activity interventions in the business and industry sector. A framework for action and priority recommendations for practice and research were generated.Key recommendations:Comprehensive, multicomponent worksite programs that include physical activity components generate significant improvements in health, reduce absenteeism and sick leave, and can generate a positive financial return. Specific evidence-based physical activity interventions are presented. Recommendations for practice include implementing comprehensive, multicomponent programs that make physical activity interventions possible, simple, rewarding and relevant in the context of a social-ecological model. The business and industry sector has significant opportunities to improve physical activity among employees, their dependents, and the community at-large and to reap important benefits related to worker health and business performance.

The Relationship between Body Image and Exercise Adherence in Fitness Centre Exercising Sample

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (80) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasa Jankauskienė ◽  
Brigita Miežienė
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Exercise Adherence ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Physique Anxiety ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Body Self ◽  
The Relationship

Research background and hypothesis. The analysis of factors which might infl uence exercise adherence is important issue for physical activity promotion. Studies show that exercisers’ body image is important factor associated with well being, exercise motivation and specifi c exercise–related behaviour.Research aim was is to examine the relationship between exercise adherence, body image and social physique anxiety in a sample of fi tness centre participants. Research methods. Members of fi tness centres (n = 217, 66 of them were women) provided their answers on exercise experience, in three subscales (appearance evaluation, appearance orientation and overweight preoccupation) of The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ-AS; Brown et al., 1990) and Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS; Hart et al., 1989). Mean age of the sample was 29.02 (9.85) years (range = 18–68 years).Research results. Women demonstrated higher appearance orientation, overweight preoccupation and social physique anxiety compared to men. However, we observed no signifi cant differences in appearance evaluation, appearance orientation and overweight preoccupation in the groups of different exercise experience of men and women. When overweight respondents (≥ 25 kg / m²) were excluded from the analysis, there were no statistically signifi cant differences observed in body image and social physique anxiety in exercise experience groups of men and women. Exercising longer than 6 years signifi cantly predicted overweight preoccupation [95% CI: 1.25–16.94] controlled by age and gender. Discussion and conclusions. Exercising men demonstrated more positive body image and lower social physique anxiety compared to women, except for appearance evaluation. There were observed no body image and social physique relationships with exercise adherence observed in the sample of fi tness centre participants, however, exercise experience longer than 6 years predicted overweight preoccupation.Keywords: body image concerns, exercise experience, self-presentation.

Experiences in physical activity promotion in health care settings for primary prevention in the UK

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Randomised Controlled

In addition to the delivery of primary care services, recent changes to the NHS in the United Kingdom have placed increasing responsibility on GPs for the commissioning of the full range of health services from prevention through to clinical interventions and rehabilitation. Whilst historically there has always been an expectation that primary care professionals were ideally placed to provide support for prevention as well as treatment, their active engagement in the promotion of physical activity has remained largely superficial. With notable exceptions where individuals have a personal interest or commitment, the majority of health professionals tend to limit themselves to peremptory non-specific advice at best, or frequently don’t broach the subject at all. There are a number of reasons for this including increasing time pressures, a general lack of knowledge, limited evidence and concerns about litigation in the event of an adverse exercise induced event. However in the 1990s there was a surge of interest in the emerging “Exercise on Prescription” model where patients could be referred to community based exercise instructors for a structured “prescription” of exercise in community leisure centres. Despite the continuing popularity of the model there remain problems particularly in getting the active support of health professionals who generally cite the same barriers as previously identified. In an attempt to overcome some of these problems Wales established a national exercise referral scheme with an associated randomised controlled trial. The scheme evaluated well and had subsequently evolved with new developments including integration with secondary and tertiary care pathways, accredited training for exercise instructors and exit routes into alternative community based exercise opportunities.

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