scholarly journals The Effects of an Urban Forest Health Intervention Program on Physical Activity, Substance Abuse, Psychosomatic Symptoms, and Life Satisfaction among Adolescents

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riki Tesler ◽  
Pnina Plaut ◽  
Ronit Endvelt
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Forest Health ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Psychosomatic Symptoms ◽  
At Risk Adolescents

Background: At-risk adolescents have been defined as youth who are or might be in physical, mental, or emotional danger. An Urban Forest Health Intervention Program (UFHIP) was formed at a center for at-risk adolescents in Israel, in order to promote physical activity and reduce risky behavior. Objective: To evaluate the intervention’s effect on physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, psychosomatic symptoms, and life satisfaction. Methods: From 2015 to 2016, at-risk youth were nonrandomly selected to participate in the UFHIP. Questionnaires were administered to both intervention and control groups before and after the intervention. Univariate and multivariable analyses evaluated the intervention’s effect. Results: The study participants (n = 53) showed 0.81 more sessions per week of 60 min of physical activity than did the control group (n = 23; p = 0.003). Among the intervention group, smoking frequency reduced from a mean of 2.60 (SD = 1.30) to 1.72 (SD = 1.08), whereas that in the control group increased from 3.17 (1.03) to 3.39 (1.03). In both groups, there was a reduction in alcohol consumption, with a greater change among intervention participants: −1.08 (SD = 1.30), compared with −0.09 (SD = 1.79) in the control group. Conclusions: Findings indicate that the environmental intervention was efficacious in increasing physical activity and reducing risky behaviors among youth. The effectiveness of this intervention among larger samples is warranted in future prospective studies.

The Effects of the Winners for Life Book on At-Risk Participants in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-159
Author(s):  
Robert Weinberg ◽  
Robert Neff ◽  
Michael Garza
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Ethical Responsibility ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Big Brothers Big Sisters ◽  
At Risk Adolescents

Since psychology professionals have a moral and ethical responsibility to evaluate the effectiveness of different products and services aimed at improving psychological/physical well-being, development, and/or performance, the purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Winners for Life book (and accompanying Parent Instructor Guide) on improving a variety of psychological factors for at-risk adolescents. Participants were 96 pairs from the Big Brothers/Little Brothers, Big Sisters/Little Sisters program. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: Winners for Life book, Winners for Life book plus instructor guide, or control group. Each group participated in a 12-week intervention program. Results revealed that both Winners for Life book conditions resulted in greater increases in self-esteem, self-perceived goal setting ability, optimism, and hope than the control condition, with the Winners for Life book plus instructor guide condition achieving the greatest improvements.

scholarly journals How COVID-19 lockdown and reopening affected daily steps: evidence based on 164,630 person-days of prospectively collected data from Shanghai, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ding Ding ◽  
Minna Cheng ◽  
Borja del Pozo Cruz ◽  
Tao Lin ◽  
Shuangyuan Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
University Education ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
Reduced Physical Activity

Abstract Background COVID-19 lockdowns may lead to physical inactivity, a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases. This study aims to determine: 1) the trajectory in daily step counts before, during and after the lockdown in China, and 2) the characteristics associated with the trajectories. Methods From December 2019 to July 2020, smartphone-based step counts were continuously collected in 815 Chinese adults residing in Shanghai over 202 days across three phases: before, during, and after the lockdown. Participant characteristics were reported, and height, weight and body composition measured before the lockdown. A ‘sharp’ regression discontinuity design with cluster robust standard errors was used to test the effect of the lockdown and reopening on daily steps and a linear mixed model was used to examine the characteristics associated with trajectories during the observed period. Results Based on 164,630 person-days of data, we found a sharp decline in daily step counts upon the lockdown (24/01/2020) by an average of 3796 (SE = 88) steps, followed by a significant trend of increase by 34 steps/day (SE = 2.5; p < .001) until the end of the lockdown (22/03/2020). This increasing trend continued into the reopening phase at a slower rate of 5 steps per day (SE = 2.3; p = 0.029). Those who were older, married, university educated, insufficiently active, had an ‘at risk’ body composition, and those in the control group, were slower at recovering step counts during the lockdown, and those who were older, married, without university education and with an ‘at risk’ body composition recovered step counts at a slower pace after the reopening. Conclusions Despite later increases in step counts, COVID-19 lockdown led to a sustained period of reduced physical activity, which may have adverse health implications. Governments and health professionals around the world should continue to encourage and facilitate physical activity during the pandemic.

scholarly journals Early intervention for children at risk of visual processing dysfunctions from 1 year of age: a randomized controlled trial protocol

Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlou J. G. Kooiker ◽  
Yoni van der Linden ◽  
Jenneke van Dijk ◽  
Ymie J. van der Zee ◽  
Renate M. C. Swarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Visual Processing ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Extremely Preterm ◽  
Intervention Protocol

Abstract Background An increasing number of children are suffering from brain damage-related visual processing dysfunctions (VPD). There is currently a lack of evidence-based intervention methods that can be used early in development. We developed a visual intervention protocol suitable from 1 year of age. The protocol is structured, comprehensive and individually adaptive, and is paired with quantitative outcome assessments. Our aim is to investigate the effectiveness of this first visual intervention program for young children with (a risk of) VPD. Methods This is a single-blind, placebo-controlled trial that is embedded within standard clinical care. The study population consists of 100 children born very or extremely preterm (< 30 weeks) at 1 year of corrected age (CA), of whom 50% are expected to have VPD. First, children undergo a visual screening at 1 year CA. If they are classified as being at risk of VPD, they are referred to standard care, which involves an ophthalmic and visual function assessment and a (newly developed) visual intervention program. This program consists of a general protocol (standardized and similar for all children) and a supplement protocol (adapted to the specific needs of the child). Children are randomly allocated to an intervention group (starting upon inclusion at 1 year CA) or a control group (postponed: starting at 2 years CA). The control group will receive a placebo treatment. The effectiveness of early visual intervention will be examined with follow-up visual and neurocognitive assessments after 1 year (upon completion of the direct intervention) and after 2 years (upon completion of the postponed intervention). Discussion Through this randomized controlled trial we will establish the effectiveness of a new and early visual intervention program. Combining a general and supplement protocol enables both structured comparisons between participants and groups, and custom habilitation that is tailored to a child’s specific needs. The design ensures that all included children will benefit from participation by advancing the age at which they start receiving an intervention. We expect results to be applicable to the overall population of children with (a risk of) VPD early in life. Trial registration Netherlands Trial Register: NTR6952. Registered 19 January 2018.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Motor Intervention Program on Motivation and Learning of English Vocabulary in Preschoolers: A Pilot Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Rosario Padial-Ruz ◽  
Raquel García-Molina ◽  
Esther Puga-González
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Effective Learning ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Healthy Habits ◽  
Motivation And Learning ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

(1) Background: Linking physical activity to the teaching of curricular contents provides numerous motivational and emotional benefits which improve academic performance and lead to the improvement and creation of healthy habits from an early age. (2) Method: The objective of the study is to analyze the effectiveness of a 5-week intervention program based on the use of a combined methodology of physical activity and gestures on motivation and vocabulary learning in English. The sample of children was aged from 4 to 7 years and was recruited from three children’s centers in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. A quasi-experimentalstudy was carried out using a pretest–posttest design in a sample (n = 88). (3) Results: Statistically significant results were obtained in the learning of words through the combined methodology of gestures and motor activity, compared to the traditional methodology used in the control group. (4) Conclusions: The main conclusions are that motor and expressive activities at an early age can be an effective motivational resource that promotes an increase in children’s physical activity time in the classroom. Further, it improves academic performance, producing a more effective learning of the vocabulary of a second language.

“Camminando e Leggendo ...   Ricordo” (Walking and Reading ...   I Remember): Prevention of Frailty Through the Promotion of Physical Activity and Reading in People with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Results from the TREDEM Registry

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 689-699
Author(s):  
Maurizio Gallucci ◽  
Anna Paola Mazzarolo ◽  
Lucia Focella ◽  
Cinzia Piovesan ◽  
Manuela Mazzetto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Older People ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Active Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Frailty Status ◽  
One Year

Background: Frailty is a condition of increased vulnerability to exogenous and endogenous stressors, which is correlated with aging, functional decline, institutionalization, hospitalization, and mortality. Given the multifaceted nature of frailty, programs aimed at its prevention are recommended to act on multiple domains. Objective: The present intervention program aimed at assessing the effects of combined physical and cognitive training in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and at investigating how their frailty status changed over one year of follow-up. Methods: Two-hundred and seven participants were recruited among outpatients of the Cognitive Impairment Center who agreed to receive a comprehensive assessment. Forty-six participants, who joined a structured program of physical activity and group readings for a period of one year, were defined as active. The remaining 161, who decided not to engage in those activities, were considered controls. In both groups, frailty status was assessed at baseline and over one year of follow-up. Results: Control participants showed twice the risk of becoming frail at 12 months compared with those in the active group. Participants in the active group had more than three times the probability of improving their frailty status compared with the control group from T0 to T12. Age and NPI scores were significantly associated with worsening frailty status. When analyses were restricted to participants who were robust at baseline, the frailty status varied significantly between groups over time. Conclusion: Findings of the present study confirm the beneficial effects of physical activity and reading to prevent frailty in older people with MCI.

scholarly journals Strategies for Developing and Delivering a Parental Physical Activity Intervention: Answers to the What and How

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyra Hamilton ◽  
Katherine M. White
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Individualized Approach ◽  
Information Problem Solving ◽  
Parental Physical Activity

Background:Parents are at risk for physical inactivity; however, few studies have designed physical activity (PA) interventions specifically applied to individuals with young children. To ensure the effectiveness of interventions, it may be useful to first elicit the needs from the target population and incorporate salient strategies identified to the design and delivery of a resultant intervention. We aimed to explore strategies for what to include in and how to best deliver a program designed to increase parental PA.Methods:Twelve parents (6 mothers, 6 fathers) of children younger than 5 years participated in focus group discussions exploring strategies for an intervention program designed to increase parental PA.Results:A range of themes such as Focus on the Children and Flexible Life/Family Plans imbedded in strategies such as persuasion and information, problem-solving, skill building, and environmental approaches were identified. In addition, a range of strategies for how to best deliver a parental PA intervention evidenced in emerging themes such as Diverse and Brief and Individualized Approach was discussed.Conclusions:Future research should continue to adopt a ground up, community-based approach to the development and implementation of interventions for this at-risk group to ensure sustained involvement in regular PA.

Parent-Assisted Instruction in a Motor Skill Program for At-Risk Preschool Children

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Hamilton ◽  
Jacqueline Goodway ◽  
John Haubenstricker
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Developmental Delay ◽  
Motor Development ◽  
Motor Skill ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Academic Failure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Object Control ◽  
Experimental Group

The purpose was to investigate the effectiveness of parental involvement on the acquisition of object-control skills of preschool children who are at risk for developmental delay or academic failure. The experimental group (n = 15) participated in an 8-week motor skill intervention program consisting of two 45-min lessons per week delivered by the children’s parents. The control group (n = 12) participated in the regular motor skill program, which consisted of movement songs delivered by the parents. All children were pretested and posttested on the object-control subscale of the Test of Gross Motor Development (Ulrich, 1985). Both groups performed in the lower 20th percentile on the pretest. A 2 X 2 (Group X Test) ANOVA revealed that the experimental group improved significantly in the object-control subscale score from pretest to posttest, whereas the control group did not change. The results provide support for including parents in the instructional process of children who are at risk for developmental delay or academic failure.

Injury Prevention in Sweden: Helping Soccer Players at Risk

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urban Johnson ◽  
Johan Ekengren ◽  
Mark B. Andersen
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Injury Model ◽  
And Control ◽  
Psychosocial Profiles

This study examined the effectiveness of a prevention intervention program to lower the incidence of injury for soccer players with at-risk psychosocial profiles. The Sport Anxiety Scale, the Life Event Scale for Collegiate Athletes, and the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 were used to screen for psychosocial risk factors outlined in the stress and injury model (Williams & Andersen, 1998). Thirty-two high injury-risk players were identified and randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. Injuries of participants were reported by their coaches. The intervention program consisted of training in 6 mental skills distributed in 6 to 8 sessions during 19 weeks of the competitive season. The results showed that the brief intervention prevention program significantly lowered the number of injuries in the treatment group compared with the control group.

Reemployment on a Poorer Job after a Plant Closing

1986 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 559-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald J. Burke
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Job Characteristics ◽  
Plant Closing ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Psychosomatic Symptoms ◽  
Union Representation

This study, involving 61 former Canadian Admiral employees who were employed 16 mo. after the plant closing, examined the effects of reemployment on a poorer job. Admiral jobs and present jobs were compared in two ways, hourly wages and a 10-item index of job characteristics (working conditions, supervision, nearness to home, union representation, etc.). Employees working on poorer jobs reported less life satisfaction, more psychosomatic symptoms, and greater alcohol consumption. Objective differences in hourly wages produced stronger negative effects than did differences in job characteristics.

A Physical Activity Intervention Program in School is Also Accompanied by Higher Leisure-Time Physical Activity: A Prospective Controlled 3-Year Study in 194 Prepubertal Children

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Cronholm ◽  
Björn E. Rosengren ◽  
Caroline Karlsson ◽  
Magnus K. Karlsson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Environmental Interventions ◽  
Prepubertal Children ◽  
Sedentary Activities

Background:The activity-stat theory infers that total physical activity (PA) in children is constant, independent of environmental interventions.Methods:We conducted a 3-year prospective population-based controlled PA intervention study including, at baseline, 7- to 9-year-old children (66 boys, 40 girls in the intervention and 50 boys, 38 girls in the control group). PA was increased in the intervention group from 60 to 200 minutes/week, while the controls maintained 60 minutes/week. We registered weekly duration of total PA and leisure-time PA and daily duration of sedentary activities, through questionnaires at baseline and 2 and 3 years after baseline.Results:Between intervention and control groups PA was similar before intervention start. After intervention start, total PA in both genders was increased during the entire period (P-values adjusted for age and Tanner stage at follow-up between 0.001 and 0.002). Duration of sedentary activities was unchanged with no group differences. Children in the intervention group changed their behavior so that they also achieved more leisure-time PA.Conclusions:A 3-year school-based PA intervention program in prepubertal children increases the duration of total PA without increasing the duration of sedentary activities, and the program seems to initiate more PA during leisure-time. Our results refute the activity-stat theory.

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