Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Shu Research Paves Way For Smoking Restrictions In Bridgeport Parks, Anna Greer

Anna E. Greer

Anna E. Greer, associate professor of exercise science in Sacred Heart University’s College of Health Professions, along with several of her students, recently celebrated a long-awaited victory. On October 5, the Bridgeport City Council voted to ban smoking on beaches, playgrounds and sports fields in all Bridgeport parks, following a campaign led by Greer's 2014 Health Promotion Planning and Evaluation class.

Proyecto Mama: A Lifestyle Intervention In Overweight And Obese Hispanic Women: A Randomised Controlled Trial--Study Protocol, Lisa Chasan-Taber, Bess H. Marcus, Milagros C. Rosal, Katherine L. Tucker, Sheri J. Hartman, Penelope S. Pekow, Edward J. Stanek Iii, Barry Braun, Caren G. Solomon, Joanne Manson, Sarah L. Goff, Glenn Markenson

Sarah L. Goff MD

BACKGROUND: The proportion of women entering pregnancy overweight or obese has been rising and, in turn, is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Gestational weight gain (GWG) exceeding Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines further increases health risks and has been independently associated with postpartum weight retention. Hispanic women are disproportionately affected by overweight and obesity, but have had limited access to interventions that promote healthy lifestyles due to cultural, socioeconomic, and language barriers. Therefore, the overall goal of this randomized controlled trial is to test the efficacy of a culturally and linguistically modified, individually-tailored lifestyle intervention to reduce excess …

Should Educators Be ‘Wrapping School Playgrounds In Cotton Wool’ To Encourage Physical Activity? Exploring Primary And Secondary Students’ Voices From The School Playground, Brendon P. Hyndman, Amanda Telford

Dr Brendon P Hyndman

Physical activity in school playgrounds has changed considerably over recent decades to reflect a climate of ‘surplus safety’. A growing culture of surplus safety can be attributed to a desire of parents and teachers responsible for children to protect school students from danger. The aim of this research was to examine students’ perceptions of playground safety influences on physical activity during school breaks from the perspectives of the ‘users’ of school playgrounds. Data collection consisted of seven focus groups (4 primary school & 3 secondary school) conducted across four schools (2 primary & 2 secondary). During this study, the focus …

Moving Physical Activity Beyond The School Classroom: A Social-Ecological Insight For Teachers Of The Facilitators And Barriers To Students' Non-Curricular Physical Activity, Brendon Hyndman, Amanda Telford, Caroline F. Finch, Amanda C. Benson

Dr Brendon P Hyndman

Non-curricular avenues such as active play during school breaks have been established as a major source for children’s physical and cognitive development, yet there is little information for teachers on the influences affecting primary and secondary school students’ non-curricular physical activity. During this study focus groups and drawing were used to explore the broader influences on primary (n=47) and secondary (n=29) school students’ physical activity behaviour beyond the classroom. Barriers and facilitators to children’s physical activity were categorised using a multi-level social-ecological framework incorporating intrapersonal, interpersonal, physical environment and policy factors. Based on the drawings, comparisons between students’ existing play …

Should Educators Be ‘Wrapping School Playgrounds In Cotton Wool’ To Encourage Physical Activity? Exploring Primary And Secondary Students’ Voices From The School Playground, Brendon P. Hyndman, Amanda Telford

Dr Brendon P Hyndman

Physical activity in school playgrounds has changed considerably over recent decades to reflect a climate of ‘surplus safety’. A growing culture of surplus safety can be attributed to a desire of parents and teachers responsible for children to protect school students from danger. The aim of this research was to examine students’ perceptions of playground safety influences on physical activity during school breaks from the perspectives of the ‘users’ of school playgrounds. Data collection consisted of seven focus groups (4 primary school & 3 secondary school) conducted across four schools (2 primary & 2 secondary). During this study, the focus …

Moving Physical Activity Beyond The School Classroom: A Social-Ecological Insight For Teachers Of The Facilitators And Barriers To Students' Non-Curricular Physical Activity, Brendon Hyndman, Amanda Telford, Caroline F. Finch, Amanda C. Benson

Dr Brendon P Hyndman

Non-curricular avenues such as active play during school breaks have been established as a major source for children’s physical and cognitive development, yet there is little information for teachers on the influences affecting primary and secondary school students’ non-curricular physical activity. During this study focus groups and drawing were used to explore the broader influences on primary (n=47) and secondary (n=29) school students’ physical activity behaviour beyond the classroom. Barriers and facilitators to children’s physical activity were categorised using a multi-level social-ecological framework incorporating intrapersonal, interpersonal, physical environment and policy factors. Based on the drawings, comparisons between students’ existing play …

The Association Of Natural Elements And Trail Use By Adults, Anna E. Greer, Julian A. Reed, Steve P. Hooker

Anna E. Greer

We used the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities to examine the association between variations in natural elements (ie, season, weather, and temperature) and adults’ use of a rail-trail in South Carolina (2006-2009). Most (62%) of the 4,468 trail users observed were walkers; 38% were observed participating in vigorous physical activity. Adults were most often observed using the trail during the summer (32%), sunny weather (78%), and moderate temperatures (54%). When promoting trail use among adults, natural elements should be considered.

Assessment Of Obesity As A Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor In A Geriatric Rural Texas Community - A Six Month Follow-Up, Alberto Coustasse Md, Mba

Alberto Coustasse, DrPH, MD, MBA, MPH

Coustasse, Alberto, Assessment of Obesity as a Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor in a Geriatric Rural Texas Community – A Six Month Follow-up. Master of Public Health Track, Public Health Administration, December 1999, 22 pp., 9 tables, 9 illustrations, bibliography, 7 titles. The health fair approach was used as a method to establish individual and population health status baselines and to provide a mechanism to follow-up with an elderly population in a rural Texas community. A controlled trial sample of forty-four seniors was initially screened in a primary care clinic in August 1998. Patients were reevaluated at six months and results …

Concepts Of Health In Older Urban African American Women With Chronic Health Conditions: A Focus Group Study, Priscilla T. Ryder, Linda Ellis, Doshia Harris, Anita Ohmit, Kathleen M. Russell, Amber Scott

Priscilla T. Ryder

The purpose of this report is to relate the findings of the study ‘Concepts of Health in Older Urban African American Women with Chronic Health Conditions.’ This investigation, undertaken at the request of the Indiana Minority Health Coalition, Inc. (IMHC) is collaboration between IMHC, Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and the community partner, the Black Nurses Association of Indianapolis, Inc. (BNA). The purpose of the study is to gain an understanding of the ways older African American women from medically underserved areas of Indianapolis characterize the various parts of the concept of health; how they understand and …

Pharmacists On The Front Lines Of Community Health: The Pneumonia Prevention Project, Joseph Fulginiti, Jason Schafer Pharmd, Mph, Marie-Monique Marthol-Clark, Lynn Fields Harris Mpa, Joseph Desimone Jr, Md, Laura T. Pizzi Pharmd, Mph

Jason J. Schafer, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, AAHIVP

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Importance, Dimensions And Settings For Developing Children’S Physical Activity Behaviour, Brendon P. Hyndman

Dr Brendon P Hyndman

Promotion of regular physical activity during childhood within schools, home and community settings is important as childhood forms the foundation for physical activity habits that can track into adulthood. Despite childhood being a crucial period for developing physical activity behaviour, there is a limited understanding of the physical activity behaviours of school-aged children. The aim of this research report is to facilitate understanding of children’s physical activity behaviours by outlining a range of measurement methods, behaviour models and correlates of children’s physical activity. The home, community and school settings in which children engage in physical activity are also discussed. Outlining …

Creating Healthy Community In The Postindustrial City, Brian A. Hoey

Brian A. Hoey, Ph.D.

Capitalizing On Distinctiveness: Creating Wv For A New Economy, Brian A. Hoey

Brian A. Hoey, Ph.D.

This article explores use of images and ideas of place to promote particular social and economic agendas within the regional context of Appalachia. Despite prevailing imageries of backwardness and isolation that adhere to the region, as well as recent history of often-bleak economic conditions, communities such as Huntington, West Virginia, are ideal places to observe inventive forms of community-building, place-making, and place-marketing that borrow from emerging cultural and economic models and stand in sharp contrast to a once dominant paradigm that encouraged capital investment by relying simply on tax breaks and the provision of cheap land and labor to attract …