Improving women\u27s body image by increasing their knowledge of media influence

Abstract not availabl

Individual, social, and environmental correlates of physical activity and body mass index in El Paso, Texas

The current study used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine how social, individual, and environmental level factors influenced walking for exercise and Body Mass Index (BMI) in a primarily Hispanic border community. Data from a 2001 community-wide health survey was matched to environmental data using geocoding techniques in ARC VIEW software. A total of 996 adults were surveyed by phone and 452 were successfully geocoded. The sample was 71% female, 79% Hispanic, 42 ± 17 years old, moderately acculturated, and had SES levels of semi-skilled workers. Walking for exercise in the entire sample was related to fewer perceived barriers to exercise, better overall health, higher SES, increased fruit and vegetable consumption, lower BMI and living in a more residential neighborhood. Among the sub-sample of participants who reported walking for exercise in the past month, walking was related to older age, greater sidewalk availability, higher social support for walking, living in a more commercial neighborhood, and having a lower BMI. Greater perceived barriers to exercise was related to worse self-reported overall health for all participants while having higher BMI and fewer diseases were related to more perceived barriers to exercise for the participants who reported walking in the past month. Greater perceived barriers to exercise was also negatively related to time spent in moderate and vigorous physical activities. Perceived benefits of walking were related to having more diseases and a greater distance to physical activity facilities in the sub-sample of walkers. Increasing BMI was related to worse self-reported overall health, older age, higher SES, more reported diseases, higher population density, fewer four-way intersections, more time spent watching television, and decreased fruit/vegetable consumption. Consuming more fruits and vegetables was related to engaging in light intensity physical activities while spending more time engaging in vigorous physical activities was related to greater sidewalk availability, having more physical activity facilities in one\u27s neighborhood, increased distance to physical activity facilities, and lower SES. The environment appeared to have an independent impact on BMI, walking, and vigorous physical activity even after individual and social level variables were controlled. This study is one of the first to show that objectively measured sidewalk availability is an important factor for influencing walking as a leisure-time activity as well as vigorous physical activity. Interestingly, depending upon whether a community sample or a sample of regular walkers was used for analysis, self-reported walking for exercise was related to either living in a more residential or commercial neighborhood. Although only a small amount of variance in walking and BMI was explained by the models the results are still important since changing the environment could impact a large number of individuals within a population

A qualitative assessment of cleaning and hand hygiene practices at shelters serving people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, Atlanta, GA – May-June, 2020

Abstract Background Cleaning practices and hand hygiene are important behaviors to prevent and control the spread of infectious disease, especially in congregate settings. This project explored hygiene- and cleaning-related experiences in shelters serving people experiencing homelessness (PEH) during May–June 2020 of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted qualitative, in-depth interviews by phone with 22 staff from six shelters in Atlanta, Georgia. The interview guide included questions about cleaning routines, cleaning barriers and facilitators, cleaning promotion, hand hygiene promotion, and hand hygiene barriers and facilitators. We analyzed interview transcripts using thematic analysis. Results Multiple individuals, such as shelter individuals (clients), volunteers, and staff, played a role in shelter cleaning. Staff reported engaging in frequent hand hygiene and cleaning practices. Barriers to cleaning included staffing shortages and access to cleaning supplies. Staff reported barriers (e.g., differing perceptions of cleanliness) for clients who were often involved in cleaning activities. Barriers to hand hygiene included limited time to wash hands, forgetting, and inconvenient handwashing facilities. Specific guidance about when and how to clean, and what supplies to use, were requested. Conclusion During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, shelters serving PEH in the Atlanta-metro area needed resources and support to ensure sufficient staffing and supplies for cleaning activities. As part of future pandemic planning and outbreak prevention efforts, shelters serving PEH could benefit from specific guidance and training materials on cleaning and hand hygiene practices

Growing the Field of Health Impact Assessment in the United States: An Agenda for Research and Practice

Health impact assessment (HIA) methods are used to evaluate the impact on health of policies and projects in community design, transportation planning, and other areas outside traditional public health concerns. At an October 2004 workshop, domestic and international experts explored issues associated with advancing the use of HIA methods by local health departments, planning commissions, and other decisionmakers in the United States. Workshop participants recommended conducting pilot tests of existing HIA tools, developing a database of health impacts of common projects and policies, developing resources for HIA use, building workforce capacity to conduct HIAs, and evaluating HIAs. HIA methods can influence decisionmakers to adjust policies and projects to maximize benefits and minimize harm to the public’s health