Time Spent in MVPA during Exergaming with Xbox Kinect in Sedentary College Students

International Journal of Exercise Science 7(4) : 286-294, 2014. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the amount of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during a 30-minute bout of exergaming with the Xbox Kinect game console in sedentary college-aged students. A secondary purpose was to examine enjoyment level of participation in the selected exergame. Twenty college-aged students (14 females and 6 males) who self-reported being physically inactive and having no prior experience with the Xbox Kinect game “Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012” Break a Sweat activity participated in the study. Participants came into the lab on two separate occasions. The first visit involved baseline testing and an 11 minute familiarization session with the game and physical activity (PA) assessment equipment. On the second visit, participants wore the same equipment and completed two 15 minute sessions of the full game. After the first 15 minute session, participants rested for 5 minutes before beginning the next 15 minute session. A 5 minute warm-up and cool-down was completed before and after the testing sessions on a treadmill. Time spent in MVPA was determined via portable indirect calirometry and accelerometry worn at the wrist and waist. 30 minutes, 29.95±.22, and 27.90±1.37 minutes of the 30 minutes of exergaming were spent in MVPA according to activity monitors and indirect calirometry, respectively. A majority of participants enjoyed the exergaming experience. The Xbox Kinect game “Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012” Break a Sweat activity can be a viable mode of training to achieve the PA Guidelines for Americans in college-aged adults

Misrepresentation of health research in exertion games literature

HCI often requires scholars to build upon research from fields outside their expertise, creating the risk that foundational work is misunderstood and misrepresented. The prevailing goal of “exergames” research towards ameliorating obesity appears to be built on just such a misunderstanding of health research. In this paper, we analyse all citations to a single influential study, which has been extensively cited to justify research on exergames. We categorise the 375 citations based on whether they represent the findings of that study accurately or inaccurately. Our findings suggest that 69% of exergames papers citing this study misrepresent the findings, demonstrating a systematic failure of scholarship in exergames research. We argue that exergaming research should cease focusing on games as treatment for obesity, and that HCI publications should demand more critical and scholarly engagement with research from outside HCI

Parental influences on tobacco use and likelihood of future use among sexual minority young adult men and women in the United States

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Limited research has examined mechanisms, including parenting behaviors, contributing to tobacco use disparities among sexual minority young adults (SMYAs). METHODS: Participants were 644 young adult (ages 18-29; 36.5% racial/ethnic minority) women (N = 416; 44.7% bisexual, 7.2% lesbian, 48.1% heterosexual) and men (N = 288; 11.0% bisexual, 13.2% gay, 75.9% heterosexual). Bivariate analyses examined differences among sex-by-sexual identity subgroups in perceived parenting (psychological control, behavioral control, knowledge, autonomy support, warmth, communication), past 30-day cigarette, e-cigarette, and cigar use, and likelihood of future use. Multivariable regression examined associations of sexual identity subgroup and parenting behaviors to tobacco use outcomes among women and men. RESULTS: Bisexual (vs. heterosexual) women reported greater parental psychological control and less autonomy support, warmth, and communication. Bisexual (vs. heterosexual) women had greater odds of past 30-day cigarette and cigar use and greater likelihood of future cigarette and e-cigarette use, and parenting behaviors were associated with past 30-day cigarette (knowledge, warmth), e-cigarette (psychological control, autonomy support, warmth), and cigar use (behavioral control, warmth) and likelihood of future cigarette (psychological control, warmth) and e-cigarette use (autonomy support, communication). Gay (vs. heterosexual) men reported greater parental behavioral control, less knowledge, autonomy support, warmth, and communication. Sexual identity and parenting behaviors were largely not associated with tobacco use among men. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the role of parenting behaviors as potential mechanisms contributing to tobacco use disparities among SMYA women. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Tobacco prevention/cessation programs should be tailored toward specific SMYA subgroups, combinations of parenting behaviors, and patterns of tobacco use

Rates of age verification for cigarette and e-cigarette purchases as a function of state T21 laws before and after implementation of the federal T21 law in the United States

BACKGROUND: This study examined the extent to which having a 21 minimum legal sales age for tobacco (T21) at the state level impacted age verification of cigarette and e-cigarette purchases among US young adults (ages 18-26) before and after federal T21 implementation. METHODS: We analyzed data from cigarette and/or e-cigarette users (n=618 and n=864) in 6 metropolitan areas in 6 states. Participants reported frequency of being age verified ( almost always vs. less frequently) for cigarette and/or e-cigarette purchases across 3 timepoints (i.e., Wave 1 [W1]: Sept-Dec 2018; W2: Sept-Dec 2019; W3: Sept-Dec 2020). Multilevel modeling examined time-varying state T21 status and time (reflecting federal T21 implementation) in relation to age verification of cigarette and e-cigarette purchases, respectively. RESULTS: The proportions almost always age verified for cigarette purchases in states with T21 versus without were: W1: 38.5% versus 37.7%; W2: 33.0% versus 39.1%; and W3: 45.4% versus 30.6%. For e-cigarettes, the proportions were: W1: 30.6% versus 40.3%; W2: 42.3% versus 50.5%; and W3: 56.0% versus 58.3%. In multilevel modeling, state T21 status was associated with greater likelihood of age verification for e-cigarettes (aOR=1.67, CI=1.13-2.45), but not for cigarettes. Age verification increased over time for e-cigarettes - both accounting for and not accounting for state T21 status. There were no changes for cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS: State T21 status and time correlated with age verification for e-cigarettes, but not cigarettes. These self-reported age verification data contribute to evidence from compliance checks, indicating that retailers require additional prompts and enforcement to enhance compliance with T21 laws. IMPLICATIONS: Current findings suggest that variations in regulations and gaps in enforcement may hinder the potential impact of increasing the minimum legal sales age, which ultimately may undermine the promise of such policies, specifically with regard to preventing tobacco use among the underage. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor retailer compliance with T21 laws and evaluate their efficacy to increase/improve ID checks, minimize illegal sales, and curb underage use of tobacco. Relatedly, particular attention to enforcement efforts that may promote compliance is warranted

Cannabis retailer marketing strategies and regulatory compliance: A surveillance study of retailers in 5 US cities

As cannabis retail expands in the US, its surveillance is crucial to inform regulations and protect consumers. This study addresses this need by conducting point-of-sale audits examining regulatory compliance (e.g., age verification, signage), advertising/promotional strategies, products, and pricing among 150 randomly-selected cannabis retailers in 5 US cities (30/city: Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Las Vegas, Nevada; Los Angeles, California) in Summer 2022. Descriptive and bivariate analyses characterized the retailers overall and across cities. Age verification rates were high (\u3e90%). The majority of retailers had signage indicating restricted access (e.g., no minors; 87.3%), onsite consumption (73.3%), and distribution to minors (53.3%). Retailers were likely to post warnings regarding use during pregnancy/breastfeeding (72.0%), followed by health risks (38.0%), impacts on children/youth (18.7%), and DUI (14.0%). Overall, 28.7% posted health claims, 20.7% posted youth-oriented signage, and 18.0% had youth-oriented packaging. Price promotions were prevalent, particularly price specials (75.3%), daily/weekly/monthly specials (66.7%), and membership programs (39.3%). One-fourth had signs/promotions indicating curbside delivery/pick-up (28.0%) and/or online ordering (25.3%); 64.7% promoted their website or social media page. The most potent cannabis products were most often e-liquids (38.0%) or oils (24.7%); the least potent were often edibles (53.0%). The most expensive product was often bud/flower (58.0%); the least was joints (54.0%). The vast majority (≥81%) sold vaporizers, wrapping papers, and hookah/waterpipes/bongs, and 22.6% sold CBD products. Marketing strategies differed across cities, reflecting differences in state-specific regulations and/or gaps in compliance/enforcement. Findings underscore the need for ongoing cannabis retail surveillance to inform future regulatory and enforcement efforts

A review of social media platform policies that address cannabis promotion, marketing and sales

Abstract Background Cannabis marketing exposure via social media may impact use in youth and young adults. Most states with recreational cannabis lack policies regarding social media-based marketing. Thus, we examined such policies among prominent platforms, particularly those popular among youth and young adults. Methods In September-October 2022, 3 research team members extracted policies applying to the general community, advertising, and any specific content regarding drug-related content for 11 social media sites: Discord, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, Tumblr, Twitch, Twitter, and YouTube. Using inductive thematic analysis, they then dual-coded restrictions on cannabis-related content (e.g., paid advertising, unpaid promotion, sales). Descriptive analyses were conducted. Results Ten (all except TikTok) referenced cannabis/marijuana, 7 (all except Discord, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube) distinguished different cannabis-derived products, and 5 (Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, Tumblr, Twitter) noted jurisdictional differences in cannabis regulations/legality. All prohibited sales, 9 (all except Snapchat and Tumblr) prohibited paid advertising, and 4 (Discord, Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok) prohibited unpaid promotion (e.g., user-generated content). All restricted underage access to cannabis-related content. However, policies varied and were ambiguous regarding how “promotion” was defined, whether/how jurisdictional differences in legality were addressed, how businesses may interact on social media, barriers implemented to inhibit the facilitation of sales, and enforcement protocols. Conclusions Social media policies regarding cannabis marketing are ambiguous and may facilitate cannabis marketing, promotion, sales, and underage exposure, thus compounding concerns regarding insufficient governmental regulations. Greater specificity in social media cannabis-related policies and enforcement is needed

Assessment of Online Marketing and Sales Practices Among Recreational Cannabis Retailers in Five U.S. Cities

With more states legalizing recreational cannabis, examining cannabis retail and marketing is crucial, as it may influence consumers\u27 perceptions and behaviors. Particularly understudied is online cannabis retail. In Spring 2022, coders collected and analyzed data regarding retailer characteristics, age verification, and marketing strategies (e.g., product availability, health-related content, promotions, website imagery) among 195 cannabis retail websites in five U.S. cities (Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Las Vegas, Nevada; Los Angeles, California). Descriptive analyses characterized the websites overall and across cities. Overall, 80.5% verified age for website entry, and 92.8% offered online purchases (92.3% of retailers in Seattle, where prohibited). Of these, 82.9% required age verification for purchases, and 30.9% offered delivery. Almost all (\u3e92%) offered flower/bud, concentrates, edibles, vaping devices, topicals, and tinctures. Health warnings were displayed on 38.3% of websites. Although all five states required health warnings regarding use during pregnancy, only 10.3% had these warnings. In addition, 59.0% posted some unsubstantiated health claims, most often indicating physical and mental health benefits (44.6%). Although Colorado, Washington, and Oregon prohibit health claims, 51.2-53.8% of these retailers posted them. Discounts, samples, or promotions were present on 90.8% of websites; 63.6% had subscription/membership programs. Subpopulations represented in website content included the following: 27.2% teens/young adults, 26.2% veterans, 7.2% sexual/gender minorities, and 5.6% racial/ethnic minorities. Imagery also targeted young people (e.g., 29.7% party/cool/popularity, 18.5% celebrity/influencer endorsement). Regulatory efforts are needed to better monitor promotional strategies and regulatory compliance (e.g., health claims, youth-oriented content, underage access) among online cannabis retailers