-------- Original Message --------

****UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER NOTES****
"Promoting Health through Physical Activity"

Multiple resources exist to guide physical activity (PA) practitioners in the
implementation of interventions. But, what's the best bang for the buck? The
Community Guide to Preventive Services identifies 8 PA intervention
strategies for which sufficient data exist to recommend utilization of these
strategies. Unfortunately, most of these proven strategies are not used, well
understood, or even known by practitioners. I strongly urge those engaged in
PA promotion to read the PA chapter and consider ways to implement them.
Tailoring to local circumstances will probably be needed and CDC is
developing fact sheets on how to effectively adopt a particular strategy. You
can access the recommendations at www.thecommunityguide.org. By
bridging the gap between science and practice, we'll all be more effective in
promoting PA and health.

Steven P. Hooker, PhD, Director
Delores Pluto, PhD, Newsletter Editor (dmpluto@...)
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu
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IN THIS ISSUE - May/June 2005

NEWS YOU CAN USE: National Trails Day 2005; VERB Crossover;
TransAmerican Virtual Bike Trip

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON: Transportation Funding Bill Moves
into Conference Committee; HeLP America Act 2005

RESEARCH NOTES: Increasing PA with Doctor's Referrals, Change in PA
and Building Multi-Use Trails

REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES: Model School Policies,
Liveable Streets for Schoolchildren; Good Work! Resource Kit; Comments of
US Dietary Guidelines

PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Increasing PA with Video Games; Daily
PA Required in NC Schools

ANIT-OBESITY INITIATIVES: African American Anti-Obesity Initiative;
Campaign Against Childhood Obesity

PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES: Child and Youth Friendly; New ALR
Research Summaries; ALR 2005 Conference Presentations

UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS: Active Living Research
Conference; Walk 21 Registration

USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATE: Recent Publications

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY 2005: June 4 is American Hiking Society's National
Trails Day® , - the only nationwide trails celebration, bringing together
thousands of outdoor enthusiasts to participate in educational exhibits, trail
dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops and trail work
projects This year's theme, "Take the Path to a Healthier You," relates trail
activities to improved health. Register your event on-line at
http://www.americanhiking.org/events/ntd/register.html. For fact sheets and
more information on hiking and health, visit
http://www.americanhiking.org/news/fact.html.

VERB CROSSOVER: Kids can create a new game that's a cross between
basketball and any other sport by using VERB Crossover on the VERB
website. The Crossover webpage includes a game wheel to choose your
game and directions and rules of the game. Check it out at:
http://www.verbnow.com/index.php?iframesrc=/crossover/. Crossover
materials for schools is also available at
http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/materials/tweens/crossover/index.htm.

TRANSAMERICAN VIRTUAL BIKE TRIP: Take a virtual trip on the
TransAmerican Bike Trail and track your daily physical activity on this fun
website. Just enter your distance every time that you walk, run, hike, bicycle,
or use a treadmill. Each time you enter your mileage, the program adds it to
your total and shows you exactly what you would see if you had been
traveling from Yorktown, Virginia to Florence, Oregon. Visit
http://www.healthsurvey.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Project.

For a list of PA related observances and events, visit the PA links section of
our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/PAlinks/index.htm.


WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON

TRANSPORTATION FUNDING BILL MOVES INTO CONFERENCE
COMMITTEE: On May 17th, the Senate passed SAFETEA - a bill to
reauthorize Federal transportation programs. The Senate action paves the
way for the final stage of reauthorization: a conference committee to resolve
the differences between the House and Senate bills. In both bills, core
funding for bicycle projects remains intact and at slightly higher funding
levels
than in previous years and both bills include creation of a new Safe Routes to
School program (but the level of funding is an issue). The Senate bill would
ensure 13% of safety construction funds nationwide are spent improving the
safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. [Bike League News] www.bikeleague.org

HeLP AMERICA ACT OF 2005: Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced the
Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention (HeLP) America Act of 2005 (S.1074) to
transform our health care system and reduce health care costs by giving
Americans access to better preventive care and consumer information to
encourage healthier lifestyles. Some goals of the HeLP America Act include:
improving the overall wellness of our children by increasing physical activity;
providing tax credits to businesses that offer comprehensive programs to
promote employee health; and encouraging new road construction that
accommodates bicycles and pedestrians. Go to http://thomas.loc.gov and
search for S1074 to view the bill text and status.

RESEARCH NOTES

INCREASING PA WITH DOCTOR'S REFERRAL: Three hundred thirty-six
patients age 50 and older were enrolled in a randomized trail to determine if a
clinic-based physical activity intervention can lead to more community-based
exercise referrals by providers and an increase in exercise motivation in
patients. Fifteen primary care providers (PCP) were trained to offer referrals
to community exercise programs to patients who reported contemplating
regular exercise. Sixteen PCPs provided a control condition. The intervention
PCPs were significantly more likely to advise patients who reported being
contemplative about regular exercise to exercise than the control PCPs.
Patients of the intervention PCPs reported higher levels on motivation to
exercise (45% vs. 35%) and attempted to exercise more often the patients of
the control PCPs. At the 4-month follow-up, 35% of intervention patients
continued to exercise compared to 28% of control patients. Ackermann,
Deyo, LoGerfo. Promoting Primary Providers to Increase Community
Exercise Referrals for Older Adults: A Randomized Trial. J Am Geriatr Soc,
53:283-89, 2005.

CHANGE IN PA AND BUILDING OF MULTI-USE TRAILS: Three hundred
sixty-six adults over age 18 and living within 2 miles of multi-use trail under
construction in North Carolina were interviewed before and after construction
to examine if physical activity increases in association with the construction
of
the trail. At follow-up, 11% had never heard of the trail and 65% had not used
the trial. In addition, 17% had used the trail but did not feel it increase
their
physical activity while only 5% did feel it increased their physical activity.
Construction of the trail did not increase physical activity among adults living
near the trail. Evenson, Herring, Huston. Evaluating Change in Physical
Activity with the Building of a Multi-Use Trail. Am J Prev Med, 28(2 Suppl
2);177-185, 2005.

For additional summaries of recent research on promoting physically active
lifestyles, visit the Research Updates section of our website at
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/updates/index.htm.


REPORTS, SURVEYS, GUIDELINES, RESOURCES

MODEL SCHOOL POLICIES: To assist local school districts meet the new
federal requirements established by the Child Nutrition and WIC
Reauthorization Act of 2004, the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity
(NANA) convened a work group of more than 50 health, physical activity,
nutrition, and education professionals from a variety of national and state
organizations to develop a set of model policies. The policies, which focus on
both nutrition and PA education and promotion, incorporate nutrition science,
public health research, and existing practices from exemplary states and local
school districts around the country. Visit
http://www.schoolwellnesspolicies.org/index.html to view the policies as well
as assessment and planning tools and other resources. [Centerlines 120]

LIVABLE STREETS FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN: The National Center for
Bicycling and Walking has published "Livable Streets for Schoolchildren," by
Bruce S. Appleyard, MCP, AICP. The article describes how children view their
neighborhood and surroundings. The author provides powerful graphic
illustrations of how streets and communities are impacted by automobile
traffic and inadequate pedestrian and bicycle facilities. The article shows how
completing our streets for walkers and cyclists can help improve livability and
our children's quality of life. Visit
http://www.bikewalk.org/ncbw_forum/articles.htm to download the article.
[Centerlines #119]

GOOD WORK! RESOURCE KIT: The Maine Cardiovascular Health Program
and the Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine has just completed a pilot
project to help different types of employers find ways to address employee
health and wellness. The Good Work! Resource Kit was developed and
includes key elements of a successful employee wellness program, strategies
used by employers, and resources to sustain a wellness program. Physical
activity, nutrition and tobacco use are topics covered in the kit. Check out
the
Good Work! Resource Kit and get more information about this project at
http://www.healthymainepartnerships.org/good_work.html#1.

COMMENTS ON US DIETARY GUIDELINES: An editorial, "Comments on
U.S. Dietary Guidelines" by Steve Blair and James Morrow, is in the current
issue of the Journal of Physical Activity and Health. The editorial focuses on
the 3 physical activity recommendations mentioned in the Guidelines. For the
complete text, go to
http://www.humankinetics.com/eJournalMedia/pdfs/4773.pdf Blair, Morrow.
Comment of US Dietary Guidelines. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2:
137-142, 2005.


PROMOTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES

CHILD AND YOUTH FRIENDLY: The Centre for Sustainable Transportation
has just completed a series of publications dealing with the needs of Children
and Youth when planning transportation and land use. These reports include:
"Child-and-Youth Friendly Land-Use and Transportation Guidelines," a 68
page document that explains why land-use and transportation planning
should be made more child and youth friendly, with 27 guidelines for
implementation. In addition, there are several shorter booklets targeting
different audiences: health and recreation professionals; educators; municipal
officials (elected and staff); parents; and youth. Go to
http://www.cstctd.org/english/news.htm to access these publications.
[Centerlines #121]

NEW ALR RESEARCH SUMMARIES: Active Living Research has released
three new Research Summaries for policy makers, planners, developers,
public health officials and others working for more active communities and
reduced childhood obesity. Each 4- to 6-page brief summarizes the latest
research findings on the links between health and the way we build
communities, presenting results from the latest peer-reviewed studies as
short bullet points. A new summary, Designing to Reduce Child Obesity,
shows the importance of giving children better access to healthy choices for
both physical activity and nutrition. Updated versions of Designing for Active
Transportation and Designing for Active Recreation present newly published
research as well as new charts and graphics. To download the summaries,
go to the Active Living Research website,
http://www.activelivingresearch.org/index.php/What_We_are_Learning/117.

ALR CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS AVAILBLE ONLINE: The Active
Living Research Conference PowerPoint presentations are now available for
viewing on the conference website. To view, click on Conference and choose
2005 Conference Agenda. Click on the dates under "More Details" to access
the PowerPoint slides for presentations given that day. Go to
http://www.activelivingresearch.org/index.php/Program_at_a_Glance_2005/2
78


PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

INCREASING PA WITH VIDEO GAMES: To help combat the crisis of
childhood obesity, 85 children, ages 7 to 12, in West Virginia are being
recruited to participate in West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency
the Games for Health project. The project uses an interactive video game
called Dance Dance Revolution to increase physical activity. Visit
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-04-02-obesity-video-game_x.htm
to read the story in USAToday.

DAILY PA NOW REQUIRED IN NC K-8 SCHOOLS: The North Carolina State
Board of Education voted to revise the Healthy Active Children's Policy (HSP-
S-000) in April. It will mandate at least 30 minutes of daily moderate to
vigorous physical activity in all NC schools K-8 by fall of 2006. In addition,
structured/unstructured recess and other physical activity shall not be taken
away from students and severe/inappropriate exercise may not be used as a
form of punishment.


ANTI-OBESITY INITIATIVES

AFRICAN AMERICAN ANTI-OBESITY INITIATIVE: In April, HHS Secretary
Mike Leavitt announced the award of $1.2 million to improve efforts to reduce
obesity among African Americans through a new partnership with national
African American organizations. The National Association for Equal
Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), will work with the National Urban
League, and the National Council of Negro Women. Initiatives planned by
these organizations include prevention, education, public awareness, and
outreach activities intended to bring about a greater understanding of the
impact of obesity on other conditions. In addition to other projects targeting
African Americans, the National Urban League will pilot-test an Urban Health
and Fitness Campaign focused on physical activity, nutrition and prevention
of diseases such as diabetes. Working through selected local affiliates, the
project aims to develop comprehensive community action plans, influence
school-based curricula and health/fitness activities, and provide technical
assistance to meet community needs.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILDHOOD OBESITY: The American Heart
Association and the Clinton Foundation have joined together to raise public
awareness about childhood obesity and take steps to improve our children's
health. The joint goal of the Clinton Foundation-American Heart Association
alliance is to stop the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity in the United
States by 2010 by fostering an environment that helps all kids pursue a
healthy lifestyle. An online, interactive Web site for children ages 9-13 that
will teach heart-healthy habits by encouraging good nutrition and increased
physical activity will be launched later this year. Visit the initiatives home
page at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3030527 .


UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

ACTIVE LIVING RESEARCH CONFERENCE. The 3rd Annual ALR
Conference will be February 16-18, 2006, in Coronado, California. Abstracts
are due July 21, 2005. For details, go to
www.activelivingresearch.org/index.php/Annual_Conference_2006/271.

WALK 21 REGISTRATION OPEN: Registration for the Walk 21 Conference
2005 in Zurich, Switzerland is now open. The conference will be held
September 22- 23. Visit http://www.walk21.ch/conference/registration.htm to
register.

For a more complete list of conferences and workshops, visit the PA links
section of our website at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/PAlinks/index.htm.


USC PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER UPDATE

RECENT PUBLICATIONS OF THE USC PRC: Wilcox S, Der Ananian C,
Sharpe PA, Robbins J, Brady T. Correlates of Physical Activity in Persons
with Arthritis: Review and Recommendations. Journal of Physical Activity and
Health, 2(2):230-252, 2005.

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Writers: Lara Peck, Delores Pluto

This and past issues of the "University of South Carolina Prevention
Research Center Notes" are available on our website at
http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/Newsletter/index.htm. To submit an item, please
e-mail Delores Pluto at dmpluto@....

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For continuing discussions about physical activity, join the Physical Activity
and Public Health On-Line Network listserv. Instructions are located on our
website, at http://prevention.sph.sc.edu/Listserv/index.htm.

The USC Prevention Research Center is a member of the CDC Prevention
Research Center's National Network, consisting of 28 Centers in the U.S. For
more information about the PRC National Network, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/prc.
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Prevention Research Center, University of South Carolina
730 Devine Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
803-777-4253

This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 1-U48-
DP-000051 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its
contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily
represent the official views of the CDC.
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