The Journal Pioneer (Summerside) (Fri 26 Jan 2007 Byline: Chase Squires) writes that most people with Type 2 diabetes or at risk for it apparently ignore their doctors' advice to be active. Fewer than 40 per cent get exercise, a new study found, and the more in danger the patients are, the less likely they are to be active. That's despite an earlier study that found nearly three-quarters of diabetics said their doctors had advised them to exercise.
The patients who got the strongest warnings to get moving were the least likely to listen, according to research being released today. Without exercise, Type 2 diabetics face complications ranging from nerve damage to high blood pressure.
Association between physical activity and proximity to physical activity resources among low-income, midlife women
Effects of a life skills intervention for increasing physical activity in adolescent girls.
Young DR, Phillips JA, Yu T, Haythornthwaite JA.Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006 Dec;160(12):1255-61.
Background: Although adolescence is a time when physical activity levels decline, few interventions have targeted high school-aged girls in the school setting.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of a life skills-oriented physical activity intervention for increasing overall physical activity in high school-aged girls.
Design: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Baltimore magnet high school.
Participants: A total of 221 ninth-grade girls, 83.0% of whom were African American. Intervention Participants were randomized to an 8-month physical intervention conducted in physical education class or to a standard physical education class (control).
Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported estimated daily energy expenditure (physical activity), self-reported sedentary activities (television viewing and computer or Internet use), cardiorespiratory fitness, and selected cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Results: Intervention classes spent 46.9% of physical education class time in moderate to vigorous activity compared with 30.5% of time for control classes (P<.001). There were no significant between-treatment group differences for mean daily energy expenditure (P = .93), moderate-intensity energy expenditure (P = .77), or hard to very hard energy expenditure (P = .69). The proportion of participants who spent 3 or more hours viewing television during school days declined from 22.3% to 17.0% in the intervention group, but remained at 26.7% for the control group (P = .03). Both groups improved their cardiorespiratory fitness (P<.001).
Conclusion: A life skills-oriented physical education curriculum may need to be combined with other approaches to increase the magnitude of effects on physical activity behavior in predominantly African American high school-aged girls.
Child Fitness Tax Credit
Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) has posted a page of frequently asked questions about the new Children’s Fitness Tax Credit that came into effect January 1, 2007. It can be found at www.prontario.org/creditFAQ.htm
Come meet the challenge! Physical activity and nutritional initiatives inAboriginal communities
A resource guide that offers health care providers and community workers (e.g., CHRs, nurses, youth workers, recreation officers): background information and suggestions related to developing physical activity and nutrition programs; details of some best practices in physical activity and nutrition programs; a resource directory of various physical activity and nutrition programs; a directory of associations and/or organizations that may offer support to the development of physical activity and/or nutrition programs in Aboriginal communities
Everyone plays! A review of the research on the integration of sports and physical activity into out-of-school time programs
Posing the question, "Can out-of-school time (OST) sports and physical activity programs become staging grounds for fighting America's battle with youth obesity?," Policy Studies Associates conducted a review of current research on the integration of OST sports and physical activity.
Getting active, staying activeHealthy living and lower cancer risk
American Institute of Cancer Research
Just moving can help fight cancer. Offers a realistic approach to increasing physical activity and sticking with it.