Reasoned action approach to analyze differences in athletes\u27 physical activity during COVID-19

The purpose of this study was to examine the reasoned action approach (RAA) in relation to the impact of COVID-19 on college athletes’ physical activity (PA). Participants were college athletes (ages 18-22 years) who were involved in university, club, and/or intramural sport. The RAA constructs were measured for the three different types of PA behaviors. Statistical analyses included ANOVA and multiple regression analyses to evaluate the RAA determinants of PA intentions. Results partially supported theoretical expectations. All RAA constructs had an impact on perceived norms indicating a dominant influence. Remote social interaction/training during isolation periods are suggested to promote sustained conditioning among college athletes

Testing the Psychometric Properties of the Habits of Health Scale for Children and Youth

This paper describes the validity testing we performed on one-half of the Habits of Health and Habits of Mind© model to increase research on the daily habits of children and youth and to substantiate the teaching and dissemination of the model with greater confidence. Child and adolescent health habits were tested with a new Habits of Health Scale (HHS). The study purpose was to test the construct and criterion validity of the habits of health measurement subscales which included physical activity, nutrition, relationships, safety, and hygiene behaviors. Two specific hypotheses were tested. The first hypothesis was that the HHS items would show acceptable factorial validity. The second hypothesis was the HHS factors would demonstrate high criterion validity, or the sensitivity of the scale to detect differences and associations that theoretically should exist. The HHS factors were expected to differ based on participants’ gender, perceived health status, perceived academic success, Body Mass Index (BMI), and multiple health behaviors. Results showed that each subscale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and criterion validity. Health patterns and routines of kids can now be measured by the Habits of Health Scale, which is a multi-behavioral assessment tool that assesses the health status of children and youth

Parent and Friend Influences on the Multiple Health Behaviors of Adolescents in Hawai`i

Background and Purpose: The prevalence of youth obesity has increased dramatically in the United States, becoming a severe concern in Hawai`i and disproportionally impacting Filipino youth. The main study objective was to describe the influence of parents and friends on adolescents’ dietary, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors. Methods: We collected quantitative and qualitative data from two classrooms in Hawai`i, from ethnic minority adolescents (N=42; 11th and 12th graders) and their parents (N=31). Participating adolescents were 86% female with a mean age of 16.5 + .6 years, and their parents were 77% female with a mean age of 45.9 + 6.9 years. The majority of participants described themselves as Filipino American. Self-report data were collected via adolescent surveys and follow-up group discussion, as well as individual adolescent-led parent interviews. Quantitative data were descriptive, and qualitative data were conceptualized into underlying themes based on the targeted health behavior and the source of influence (parents and friends). Results: The majority of students reported parents as the dominant influence on their dietary and sedentary behaviors; however, friends were reported as the principal influence on adolescents’ physical activity levels. Parents’ reported a strong dietary influence via home availability, but minimal influence on adolescents’ physical activity. Conclusion: Home food availability and reduced television time are prime targets for family-based interventions among ethnic minority Hawai`ian populations

Mother and Daughter Obesity Intervention: A Case Study

Healthy weight loss is a growing concern in an increasingly sedentary world. This study explored the effectiveness of the implementation of physical activity changes in the lives of three overweight mother daughter pairs from a rural area in Virginia. The intervention was over a six-week period. The physical activity intervention focused on the promotion of safe walking and fitness

Parents attending a family weight management program perceive similar home fruit and vegetable accessibility, but greater child proxy agency and physical activity opportunity

Many children do not meet current guidelines for physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption, two areas of health-related behavior with links to obesity. Objective: To examine child and parent perceptions of child proxy agency, home physical activity opportunity, and home accessibility of fruits and vegetables. Methods: Dyads (N = 117) of parents and children completed questionnaires for this cross-sectional study. Results: For child proxy agency, fruits and vegetables accessibility, and physical activity opportunity, the parent and child perceptions were significantly related. Parent ratings of physical activity opportunity and child proxy agency were significantly greater than child ratings. Perceptions of both parents and children for proxy agency were associated with fruits and vegetables accessibility and physical activity opportunity. Conclusions: Parents and children hold similar, yet distinct perceptions of physical activity opportunity and child proxy agency. Perceptions of child proxy agency are associated with obesity-related home environmental characteristics

Theoretical Approaches to Physical Activity Intervention

There is nothing as practical as a good theory. A good theory explains a phenomenon, predicts relationships and outcomes, is testable (falsifiable), is parsimonious, is generalizable (transferable), and encourages productivity. Physical activity is a complex behavior. Applying theory properly to physical activity will lead to a greater understanding of the important variables and mechanisms involved, guide interventions, and ultimately lead to better public health practices. This chapter presents several theories being used in physical activity in the context of a research article structure. This allows us to describe several theories and to illustrate how theory is part of all aspects of the research process

Parent and friend influences on the multiple health behavior of Pacific Islander adolescents

Youth obesity has increased dramatically in the United States, disproportionally affecting Hawaiian populations. The primary research objective was to describe the influence of parent and friends on the dietary, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors of Pacific Islander high school students. Data were collected from classrooms within a private high school on the Hawaiian island Oahu. Participants were Pacific Islander adolescents attending a high school in Hawaii. Participating adolescents completed a questionnaire, followed by a corresponding focus group; specifically reporting the social-level influences on their dietary and activity behaviors. Adolescents then interviewed their parent/guardian, asking questions relative to their perceived health-related influence. Participating adolescents (N = 60) were 53% female with a mean age of 16.93 (SD = 0.63), and their parents/guardians (N = 47) were 75% female with a mean age of 46.72 (SD = 5.11). Outcomes revealed parents/ guardians as the dominant influence on adolescents’ dietary behaviors, and time spent with parents was almost exclusively sedentary. In comparison, adolescents were more active with friends, but shared less healthy dietary habits. Results provide groundwork for similar examinations and culturally tailored interventions among similar adolescent populations

Children's self-efficacy and proxy efficacy for after-school physical activity

Problem: This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a scale measuring children's self-efficacy and proxy efficacy for physical activity at after-school programs and at home. Proxy efficacy was defined as children's confidence in their skills and abilities to get adults to act in their interest to provide physical activity opportunities. Methods: Children (grades 4 through 6) attending after-school programs completed a self-efficacy questionnaire relevant to their physical activity. Factorial validity was assessed with an exploratory factor analysis (n = 107) and a confirmatory factor analysis (n = 187). Next, criterion-related validity was assessed using a mixed-model analysis of covariance with school as a random effect and children level variables as fixed effects. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Results: The questionnaire assessed three separate constructs: self-efficacy to be physically active (SEPA), proxy efficacy to influence parents to provide physical activity opportunities (PEPA-P), and proxy efficacy to influence after-school staff to provide physical activity opportunities (PEPA-S). Males had greater SEPA than females. Children who perceived greater physical activity opportunities during after-school time had greater SEPA, PEPA-P, and PEPA-S than children attending schools with fewer physical activity opportunities. Children attending schools with lower concentrations of racial/ethnic diversity and higher socioeconomic status (SES) had greater PEPA-P compared to children attending greater racial/ethnic diversity and low-SES schools. Conclusions: Self-efficacy for physical activity is a multicomponent construct and can be assessed in elementary-aged children using the reliable and valid instrument confirmed in the current study