Publications (37) View all
-
Article: The U.S. National Physical Activity Plan: Dissemination and Use by Public Health Practitioners.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The 2010 U.S. National Physical Activity Plan contains a comprehensive set of policies, programs, and initiatives to increase physical activity. PURPOSE: To determine the early awareness, use, diffusion, and implementation of the plan among members of the National Society of Physical Activity Practitioners in Public Health. METHODS: The web-based survey was conducted in 2011 and analyzed in 2011-2012. The survey was guided by the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework and Diffusion of Innovations theory. Of 492 professional members, 291 responded. RESULTS: Overall, 79% reported awareness of the plan, with higher odds among state practitioners compared to other practitioners and among those with state partnerships to address physical activity compared to those without. Among those who were aware (n=230), 15% reported using the plan ≥6 times, whereas 28% had never used it. For those who referred to the plan at least once in their work (n=165), the most commonly reported uses were for brainstorming and discussion (73%); development and implementation of activities (55%); and state-level goal-setting (34%). Related to diffusion principles, many respondents reported that the plan fit their organization's goals (85%) and was easy to understand (81%), yet fewer agreed that changes made after the plan were easy to observe (32%); easy to implement (28%); and low-cost (25%). CONCLUSIONS: This theory-based evaluation found that the National Physical Activity Plan has been broadly disseminated to physical activity practitioners working in public health. Opportunities exist for public health practitioners and others to more fully integrate the plan into their work.American journal of preventive medicine 05/2013; 44(5):431-438. · 4.24 Impact Factor -
Article: Active living collaboratives in the United States: understanding characteristics, activities, and achievement of environmental and policy change.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Changing the built environment to promote active lifestyles requires collaboration among diverse sectors. Multisectoral collaborative groups in the United States promote active lifestyles through environmental and policy changes. The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of these collaborative groups and the extent to which they have achieved change. We identified, recruited, and interviewed the coordinators of active living collaborative groups in the United States. We used descriptive statistics to characterize groups by composition, stakeholder engagement, and the extent of environmental and policy change in 8 strategic areas. Fifty-nine groups from 22 states participated in the study. Most groups had a diverse set of partners and used a range of activities to advance their agendas. Most groups achieved some form of environmental or policy change. On average, groups reported working on 5 strategy areas; parks and recreation (86%) and Safe Routes to School (85%) were named most frequently. More than half of groups reported their environmental initiatives as either in progress or completed. Groups reported the most success in changing policy for public plazas, street improvements, streetscaping, and parks, open space, and recreation. Complete Streets policy and zoning ordinances were the most frequently cited policy types. Engaging in media activities and the policy-making process in addition to engaging stakeholders appear to influence success in achieving change. Although many groups successfully worked on parks and recreation improvements, opportunities remain in other areas, including transit and infill and redevelopment. Additional time and resources may be critical to realizing these types of changes.Preventing chronic disease 02/2013; 10:E19. · 1.82 Impact Factor -
Article: A review of obesity-themed policy briefs.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Policy approaches are one of the most promising population-based means of addressing the epidemic of obesity in the U.S., especially as they create supportive environments for healthy living. Policy briefs can be an effective means of disseminating research information to inform obesity prevention efforts; however, they are often ineffective because of length, density, and inaccessibility. The purposes of this project were to identify a collection of obesity-related policy briefs, analyze the content, and make recommendations for model policy briefs. In 2010, online searching strategies were developed with criteria that included a primary topical focus on obesity, written between 2000 and 2010, targeting any population age group, including a policy-change message, and being readily available online. The research team developed a coding tool and used it to analyze briefs. A subsample of the briefs was used for further analysis on dissemination. Analyses were conducted on 100 briefs. Most (72%) were developed between 2005 and 2010; the average length was five pages. The majority had no tables, few figures, and only 36% included photos. The average reading level was high. A lack of monitoring or evaluating dissemination efforts prevailed. Policy briefs represent an effective, often-preferred, potent tool for public health practitioners and researchers to communicate information to policymakers. Recommendations include presenting information clearly, using a concise format, including design elements, noting reference and contact information, employing active and targeted dissemination efforts, and conducting evaluation.American journal of preventive medicine 09/2012; 43(3 Suppl 2):S143-8. · 4.24 Impact Factor -
Article: It's all in the lens: differences in views on obesity prevention between advocates and policy makers.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Intervention strategies to reduce obesity include policy and environmental changes that are designed to provide opportunities, support, and cues to help people develop healthier behaviors. Policy changes at the state level are one way to influence access, social norms, and opportunities for better nutrition and increased physical activity among the population. Ten states were selected for a broad variance in obesity rates and number of enacted obesity prevention policies during the years of 2006-2009. Within the selected states, a purely qualitative study of attitudes of childhood obesity policy using semistructured telephone interviews was conducted. Interviews were conducted with state policy makers who serve on public health committees. A set of six states that had more than eight childhood obesity policies enacted were selected for subsequent qualitative interviews with a convenience sample of well-established advocates. Policy makers in states where there was more childhood obesity policy action believed in the evidence behind obesity policy proposals. Policy makers also varied in the perception of obesity as a constituent priority. The major differences between advocates and policy makers included a disconnect in information dissemination, opposition, and effectiveness of these policies. The findings from this study show differences in perceptions among policy makers in states with a greater number of obesity prevention bills enacted. There are differences among policy makers and advocates regarding the role and effectiveness of state policy on obesity prevention. This presents an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to improve communication and translation of evidence to policy makers, particularly in states with low legislation.Childhood obesity (Print). 06/2012; 8(3):243-50. -
Article: Stage of readiness to exercise in ethnically diverse women: a U.S. survey.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To assess stage of readiness to exercise and readiness to be physically active in a national survey of women aged 40 yr and over from various racial/ethnic groups (the U.S. Women's Determinants Study). The prevalence of each stage was determined and compared across race/ethnicity. In addition, the level of misclassification between self-report of stage of readiness to exercise/be physically active and self-reported participation in specific exercise behavior was evaluated. Data were collected from a total of 2912 U.S. women via telephone survey over a 1-yr period (black 26%, American Indians/Alaskan Natives 25%, Hispanics 23%, and whites 26%). Over half the total sample was staged as currently undertaking regular exercise (maintenance stage, 55%), 25% indicated they were in precontemplation, and 15% were in contemplation stage. Few women were in preparation and action stages. There were statistically significant differences between the minority groups. Specifically, black women (OR 0.53, 95% 0.31-0.91) were less likely to be in the active stages (e.g., preparation, action, maintenance) than Hispanics and Alaskan Native/American Native women, and this was true after controlling for important sociodemographic and health variables (age, education, BMI, and smoking). The additional analysis of a modified stage question developed to assess readiness to be more physically active (150 min.wk(-1)) may have provided inflated results (82% in maintenance), possibly due to the complexity of the questions. The level of misclassification between measures ranged from 5 to 20%. These results have important implications for the use of stage of change measures with populations of older ethnically diverse women particularly and the popularity of modifying stage questions to reflect "lifestyle" or moderate-intensity physical activity.Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 08/2001; 33(7):1147-56. · 4.43 Impact Factor
