In the ever-evolving field of global health research, the quest for scientific rigor often takes center stage. Yet, we believe that as scientists we must give equal priority to ensuring our research is people- and context-oriented—in other words, that our work is meaning-making. Drawing on our
Search Results
Charting a Course: Navigating Rigor and Meaning in Global Health Research
Tiago Canelas, Motlatso Godongwana, Feyisayo A. Wayas, Estelle Victoria Lambert, Yves Wasnyo, and Louise Foley
Achieving Advocacy Success—The International Society for Physical Activity and Health’s Long-Term Strategy to Advance Physical Activity as a Priority in Global Health Policy
Trevor Shilton and Karen Milton
and long-term advocacy strategy was implemented to advance the status of physical activity and promote its presence as a priority within global health policy. This was initially led by the Global Alliance for Physical Activity (GAPA), which later became the Advocacy Council of the International
Neighborhood Places for Preschool Children’s Physical Activity: A Mixed-Methods Study Using Global Positioning System, Geographic Information Systems, and Accelerometry Data
Pulan Bai, Jasper Schipperijn, Michael Rosenberg, and Hayley Christian
the PLAYCE project: Findings From the Western Australian PLAY Spaces and Environments for Children’s Physical Activity Study. Supportive Childcare Environments for Physical Activity in the Early Years . The University of Western Australia, School of Population and Global Health ; 2018 . 7. Chaput
Global Public Health Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior for People Living With Chronic Conditions: A Call to Action
Paddy C. Dempsey, Christine M. Friedenreich, Michael F. Leitzmann, Matthew P. Buman, Estelle Lambert, Juana Willumsen, and Fiona Bull
survivors), hypertension, T2D, and HIV. This expanded scope fills important global health policy gaps. The purpose of the present article is to briefly summarize the development process and highlight the scientific evidence that underpins the new global population health guidelines. Importantly, it also
Worldwide Surveillance, Policy, and Research on Physical Activity and Health: The Global Observatory for Physical Activity
Andrea Ramirez Varela, Michael Pratt, Kenneth Powell, I-Min Lee, Adrian Bauman, Gregory Heath, Rafaela Costa Martins, Harold Kohl, and Pedro C. Hallal
Background:
The Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!) was launched in response to the physical inactivity pandemic. The aim of this article is to present current information about surveillance, policy, and research on physical activity (PA) and health worldwide.
Methods:
Information was collected for 217 countries. For 139 of these nations we identified a contact who confirmed information’s accuracy and completeness. Associations were calculated among surveillance, policy and research categories.
Results:
Of the 139 countries, 90.6% reported having completed 1 or more PA survey, but less than one-third had 3 or more. 106 included PA on a national plan, but only one-quarter of these were PA-specific. At least 1 peer reviewed publication was identified for 63.3% of the countries. Positive associations (P < .001) were found between research and policy (ρ = 0.35), research and surveillance (ρ = 0.41), and surveillance and policy (ρ = 0.31). Countries with a standalone plan were more likely to have surveillance. Countries with more research were more likely to have a standalone plan and surveillance.
Conclusions:
Surveillance, policy, and research indicators were positively correlated, suggesting that action at multiple levels tends to stimulate progress in other areas. Efforts to expand PA-related surveillance, policy, and research in lower income countries are needed.
Sociodemographic Moderators of Environment–Physical Activity Associations: Results From the International Prevalence Study
Lilian G. Perez, Terry L. Conway, Adrian Bauman, Jacqueline Kerr, John P. Elder, Elva M. Arredondo, and James F. Sallis
Background: Associations between the built environment and physical activity (PA) may vary by sociodemographic factors. However, such evidence from international studies is limited. This study tested the moderating effects of sociodemographic factors on associations between perceived environment and self-reported total PA among adults from the International Prevalence Study. Methods: Between 2002 and 2003, adults from 9 countries (N = 10,258) completed surveys assessing total PA (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short), perceived environment, and sociodemographics (age, gender, and education). Total PA was dichotomized as meeting/not meeting (a) high PA levels and (b) minimum PA guidelines. Logistic models tested environment by sociodemographic interactions (24 total). Results: Education and gender moderated the association between safety from crime and meeting high PA levels (interaction P < .05), with inverse associations found only among the high education group and men. Education and gender also moderated associations of safety from crime and the presence of transit stops with meeting minimum PA guidelines (interaction P < .05), with positive associations found for safety from crime only among women and presence of transit stops only among men and the high education group. Conclusions: The limited number of moderating effects found provides support for population-wide environment–PA associations. International efforts to improve built environments are needed to promote health-enhancing PA and maintain environmental sustainability.
The Role of Grandparents in Facilitating Children’s Physical Activity
Michelle I. Jongenelis, Timothy Budden, Hayley Christian, David A. Coall, Ben Jackson, Andrea Nathan, and Emma Glassenbury
age to reduce disease risk at all stages of the life course has been identified as a global health priority. 12 This is of particular importance in Australia where 77% and 68% of children do not meet recommended guidelines for physical activity and screen-based activity, respectively. 13 Parents play
Self-Reported Vision Loss, Health Status, and Social Participation Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults—Evidence From China
Xiaodong Zhang, Yuqian Lin, and Chengmeng Zhang
Social participation is crucial for enhancing senior’s well-being and promoting their integration into society. Using nationwide data investigated in China, this study explored the association between self-reported visual impairment, health level, and social participation among Chinese middle-aged old adults. It has been found that (a) the probability and frequency of social participation among middle-aged and older adults with self-reported vision loss were significantly lower than those without vision problems; (b) self-reported vision loss was negatively associated with self-rated health and mental health status, and both were positively associated with social participation; and (c) self-rated health and mental health played a mediating role between vision loss and social participation. The findings suggest that under the framework of active aging, universal vision screening programs and rehabilitation plans for the older adults with visual impairment are exceedingly significant to promote their participation in social activities, thereby enhancing their quality of life.
Sprinters Report Poorer Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome Outcomes Compared With Endurance Runners Over the Course of a Competitive Track Season
Leah M. Balsamo, Kenneth P. Clark, Katherine E. Morrison, and Nicole M. Cattano
symptoms ) to 10 ( severe MTSS symptoms ), with a minimal detectable change of 0.69 at the group level and a smallest detectable change of 4.80 for the individual. 6 Global Health was also assessed using the PROM paper version of the PROMIS Scale version 1.2—Global Health (GH score), which was developed
“Older, Faster, Stronger”: The Multiple Benefits of Masters Sport Participation
Sarah Deck, Alison Doherty, Craig Hall, Angela Schneider, Swarali Patil, and Glen Belfry
While masters sport aligns with the holistic concept of active aging, related research has focused predominantly on the physical domain, and less is known about the psychological, cognitive, and social benefits of older adults’ participation. This study examined, in combination, the perceived psychological, social, cognitive, and physical benefits of training and competing as a masters athlete, while considering age and gender differences. Forty masters athletes residing in Canada were interviewed (21 men and 19 women; 15 who were 50–64 years and 25 who were 65–79 years), representing 15 different sports. Interviews were coded both deductively and inductively, revealing several subthemes of benefits for the broader perceived psychological, social, cognitive, and physical benefits, with few but notable differences between women and men, and those younger than 65 years and those 65+ years. Our findings provide new insights into the positive experiences of active aging associated with high levels of physical activity among older adults, such as greater self-confidence, especially for women, comradery, and feeling mentally sharper, especially for the older age group.
