Purpose: This article assessed the effectiveness of social networking strategies (networking strategic initiative [NSI]) to overcome stressful life events experienced in normal aging in Hong Kong. Method: A three-wave quasi-experimental panel design with an overall sample consisting of n = 288 Chinese elderly placed into two groups: NSI group:…

Objective: Young adult cancer survivors living in rural areas have reported barriers to participating in health behaviours due to their geographical location and the developmental milestones associated with their age. Existing health behaviour change interventions have generally been delivered face-to-face and have not been tailored to the…

Background: High volumes of school-based sedentary time may impact academic achievement and executive function negatively. This study evaluated a multimodal classroom program's (POWER) effect on fifth graders' physical activity (PA) and executive function. Methods: Six 5th grade classes (3 = intervention [POW]; 3 = waitlist control [CONT]) in 2…

Background: Motor competence, defined as a person's ability to execute different motor skills, is directly associated with children's physical, mental, and social development and may be essential in encouraging an active lifestyle in childhood. Although health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children has been described as an individual's…

There is a need for diabetes prevention efforts targeting vulnerable populations. Our community--academic partnership, the East Harlem Partnership for Diabetes Prevention, conducted a randomized controlled trial to study the impact of peer led diabetes prevention workshops on weight and diabetes risk among an economically and racially diverse…

Background: Despite evidence that social network members influence the eating behaviors of adults, no study to date has had the primary aim of examining children as support partners for parents in a weight loss intervention. Aim: To evaluate parent adherence with eating/exercise goals and weight loss in a 6-month study engaging children as support…

Background: Physical activity exerts cancer-protective effects, yet most Americans are inactive, especially in the South, where cancer incidence rates are generally higher. Telephone-based approaches can help overcome physical activity intervention barriers in this region (literacy, costs, lack of transportation/technology, distance from…

Background: Evidence of the positive effects of school physical activity (PA) interventions, including classroom-based PA (CBPA), is rapidly growing. However, few studies examine how variations in scheduled PA opportunities and teacher-implemented CBPA affect students' PA outcomes. Methods: Teachers at five elementary schools attended training on…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which a sport education season of fitness could provide students with recommended levels of in-class moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) while also increasing students' fitness knowledge and fitness achievement. Method: One hundred and sixty-six 5th-grade students (76…

This study evaluated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a 12-week "Guys/Girls Opt for Activities for Life" (GOAL) intervention on 10- to 13-year-old adolescents' body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, physical activity (PA), diet quality, and psychosocial perceptions related to PA and healthy eating.…

Many youth programs focused on improving health outcomes have not examined parent/caregiver perceptions post-participation even though they may significantly influence youth behaviors. The primary purpose of this study was to examine changes in adult perceptions of youth- and family-related behavior after youth participated in a 12-week…

We present findings from a pilot implementation of the Extension Wellness Ambassador Program, a health-focused master volunteer program, and briefly describe the program approach and purpose. Program participants received 40 hr of training and completed assessments of self-efficacy, physical activity, and functional fitness at baseline and 3-month…

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has recently showed that theory-based interventions designed to promote physical activity (PA) significantly increased PA behavior. The objective of the present study was to investigate the moderators of the efficacy of these theory-based interventions. Seventy-seven RCTs evaluating…

It is widely accepted that children in Scotland, as in other high-income countries, are not engaging in sufficient moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), the consequences of which can be adverse for health and wellbeing. In this paper, it is contended that active play (a form of gross motor or total body movement in which…

As a new sports policy, named "School Sport Promotion Group (SSPG)", the Korea government selected 50 schools in 2011 and 2012. Each school was granted US$40,000 a year for a three-year term. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the SSPG programme when it pertained to students' motivation and participation in…