OBJECTIVE To understand perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity (PA) among at-ri... more OBJECTIVE To understand perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity (PA) among at-risk African American and Hispanic adolescents and adults in a low-income community. DESIGN Qualitative research was conducted in 2014-2015 using focus groups and a sociodemographic survey. SETTING Three high schools in South Los Angeles, California. PARTICIPANTS Eight high school-aged adolescent focus groups (n = 64) and 8 adult focus groups (n = 47). PHENOMENON OF INTEREST Perceived barriers and facilitators to PA among predominantly obese and overweight African American and Hispanic adolescents and adults. ANALYSIS Groups were audio recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using an inductive approach. RESULTS Participants reported that PA resources were available on school campuses (eg, sports teams) and in the community (eg, sidewalks, local parks, fitness classes). Key barriers to PA were intrapersonal (lack of motivation and time constraints) and environmental (safety concerns), whereas facilitators included interpersonal factors (social support). Participants provided valuable insights, including recommendations to increase noncompetitive programs at schools, develop shared-use agreements, and address safety concerns at local parks and public recreational spaces. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The findings suggest that future efforts to promote PA among at-risk minority groups should address intrapersonal and social environmental factors. Community-based programmatic and policy recommendations are provided.
Advocacy coalitions often play an important role in the state health policymaking process, yet li... more Advocacy coalitions often play an important role in the state health policymaking process, yet little is known about their structure, composition, and behavior. In 2008, California became the first state to enact a menu labeling law. Using the advocacy coalition framework, we examine different facets of the coalitions involved in California's menu labeling policy debate. We use a qualitative research approach to identify coalition members and explore their expressed beliefs and policy arguments, resources, and strategies by analyzing legislative documents (n = 87) and newspaper articles (n = 78) produced between 1999 and 2009. Between 2003 and 2008, six menu labeling bills were introduced in the state's legislature. We found the issue received increasing media attention during this period. We identified two advocacy coalitions involved in the debate-a public health (PH) coalition and an industry coalition. State organizations acted as coalition leaders and participated for a...
This article demonstrates how network analysis can be used to develop a better understanding of a... more This article demonstrates how network analysis can be used to develop a better understanding of a community-based network and steps that might be taken to facilitate network development. The focal network in this study was organized by a local non-profit organization as part of their effort to effect community-level change. The activities of this network were guided by three steering committees, 23 members of which provided data regarding numerous aspects of their relationships with a set of 39 organizations. We first provide descriptive information regarding patterns of relationships among network participants at both the committee and whole-network level. We then summarize results of hierarchical linear modeling and analysis of variance analyses that clarify how data generated through network analysis can be incorporated into these traditional analytic procedures to yield additional insights regarding network properties. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for the continued development of this community-based network, as well as implications for others interested in using network analysis to facilitate change in their own communities.
Much progress has been made in the past 5 to 10 years in measuring and understanding the impact o... more Much progress has been made in the past 5 to 10 years in measuring and understanding the impact of the food and physical activity environments on behavioral outcomes. Nevertheless, this research is in its infancy. A work group was convened to identify current evidence gaps and barriers in food and physical activity environments and policy research measures, and develop recommendations to guide future directions for measurement and methodologic research efforts. A nominal group process was used to determine six priority areas for food and physical activity environments and policy measures to move the field forward by 2015, including: (1) identify relevant factors in the food and physical activity environments to measure, including those most amenable to change; (2) improve understanding of mechanisms for relationships between the environment and physical activity, diet, and obesity; (3) develop simplified measures that are sensitive to change, valid for different population groups and settings, and responsive to changing trends; (4) evaluate natural experiments to improve understanding of food and physical activity environments and their impact on behaviors and weight; (5) establish surveillance systems to predict and track change over time; and (6) develop standards for adopting effective health-promoting changes to the food and physical activity environments. The recommendations emanating from the work group highlight actions required to advance policy-relevant research related to food and physical activity environments.
OBJECTIVES: To build health promotion capacity among community residents through a community-base... more OBJECTIVES: To build health promotion capacity among community residents through a community-based participatory model, and to apply this model to study the nutritional environment of an urban area to better understand the role of such resources in residents’ efforts to live a healthy life. DESIGN: A multiphase collaborative study that inventoried selected markets in targeted areas of high African-American concentration in comparison with markets in a contrasting wealthier area with fewer African Americans. SETTING: A community study set in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS: African-American community organizations and community residents in the target areas. INTERVENTIONS: Two surveys of market inventories were conducted. The first was a single-sheet form profiling store conditions and the availability of a small selection of healthy foods. The second provided detailed information on whether the store offered fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, dried goods and other items necessary for residents to consume a nutritious diet. RESULTS: The targeted areas were significantly less likely to have important items for living a healthier life. The variety and quality of fresh fruit and vegetable produce was significantly lower in the target areas. Such products as 1% milk, skim milk, low-fat and nonfat cheese, soy milk, tofu, whole grain pasta and breads, and low-fat meat and poultry items were significantly less available. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy food products were significantly less available in the target areas. The authors conclude from these results that the health disparities experienced by African-American communities have origins that extend beyond the health delivery system and individual behaviors inasmuch as adherence to the healthy lifestyle associated with low chronic disease risk is more difficult in resource-poor neighborhoods than in resource-rich ones.
This article demonstrates how network analysis can be used to develop a better understanding of a... more This article demonstrates how network analysis can be used to develop a better understanding of a community-based network and steps that might be taken to facilitate network development. The focal network in this study was organized by a local non-profit organization as part of their effort to effect community-level change. The activities of this network were guided by three steering committees, 23 members of which provided data regarding numerous aspects of their relationships with a set of 39 organizations. We first provide descriptive information regarding patterns of relationships among network participants at both the committee and whole-network level. We then summarize results of hierarchical linear modeling and analysis of variance analyses that clarify how data generated through network analysis can be incorporated into these traditional analytic procedures to yield additional insights regarding network properties. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for the continued development of this community-based network, as well as implications for others interested in using network analysis to facilitate change in their own communities.
OBJECTIVE To understand perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity (PA) among at-ri... more OBJECTIVE To understand perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity (PA) among at-risk African American and Hispanic adolescents and adults in a low-income community. DESIGN Qualitative research was conducted in 2014-2015 using focus groups and a sociodemographic survey. SETTING Three high schools in South Los Angeles, California. PARTICIPANTS Eight high school-aged adolescent focus groups (n = 64) and 8 adult focus groups (n = 47). PHENOMENON OF INTEREST Perceived barriers and facilitators to PA among predominantly obese and overweight African American and Hispanic adolescents and adults. ANALYSIS Groups were audio recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using an inductive approach. RESULTS Participants reported that PA resources were available on school campuses (eg, sports teams) and in the community (eg, sidewalks, local parks, fitness classes). Key barriers to PA were intrapersonal (lack of motivation and time constraints) and environmental (safety concerns), whereas facilitators included interpersonal factors (social support). Participants provided valuable insights, including recommendations to increase noncompetitive programs at schools, develop shared-use agreements, and address safety concerns at local parks and public recreational spaces. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The findings suggest that future efforts to promote PA among at-risk minority groups should address intrapersonal and social environmental factors. Community-based programmatic and policy recommendations are provided.
Advocacy coalitions often play an important role in the state health policymaking process, yet li... more Advocacy coalitions often play an important role in the state health policymaking process, yet little is known about their structure, composition, and behavior. In 2008, California became the first state to enact a menu labeling law. Using the advocacy coalition framework, we examine different facets of the coalitions involved in California's menu labeling policy debate. We use a qualitative research approach to identify coalition members and explore their expressed beliefs and policy arguments, resources, and strategies by analyzing legislative documents (n = 87) and newspaper articles (n = 78) produced between 1999 and 2009. Between 2003 and 2008, six menu labeling bills were introduced in the state's legislature. We found the issue received increasing media attention during this period. We identified two advocacy coalitions involved in the debate-a public health (PH) coalition and an industry coalition. State organizations acted as coalition leaders and participated for a...
This article demonstrates how network analysis can be used to develop a better understanding of a... more This article demonstrates how network analysis can be used to develop a better understanding of a community-based network and steps that might be taken to facilitate network development. The focal network in this study was organized by a local non-profit organization as part of their effort to effect community-level change. The activities of this network were guided by three steering committees, 23 members of which provided data regarding numerous aspects of their relationships with a set of 39 organizations. We first provide descriptive information regarding patterns of relationships among network participants at both the committee and whole-network level. We then summarize results of hierarchical linear modeling and analysis of variance analyses that clarify how data generated through network analysis can be incorporated into these traditional analytic procedures to yield additional insights regarding network properties. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for the continued development of this community-based network, as well as implications for others interested in using network analysis to facilitate change in their own communities.
Much progress has been made in the past 5 to 10 years in measuring and understanding the impact o... more Much progress has been made in the past 5 to 10 years in measuring and understanding the impact of the food and physical activity environments on behavioral outcomes. Nevertheless, this research is in its infancy. A work group was convened to identify current evidence gaps and barriers in food and physical activity environments and policy research measures, and develop recommendations to guide future directions for measurement and methodologic research efforts. A nominal group process was used to determine six priority areas for food and physical activity environments and policy measures to move the field forward by 2015, including: (1) identify relevant factors in the food and physical activity environments to measure, including those most amenable to change; (2) improve understanding of mechanisms for relationships between the environment and physical activity, diet, and obesity; (3) develop simplified measures that are sensitive to change, valid for different population groups and settings, and responsive to changing trends; (4) evaluate natural experiments to improve understanding of food and physical activity environments and their impact on behaviors and weight; (5) establish surveillance systems to predict and track change over time; and (6) develop standards for adopting effective health-promoting changes to the food and physical activity environments. The recommendations emanating from the work group highlight actions required to advance policy-relevant research related to food and physical activity environments.
OBJECTIVES: To build health promotion capacity among community residents through a community-base... more OBJECTIVES: To build health promotion capacity among community residents through a community-based participatory model, and to apply this model to study the nutritional environment of an urban area to better understand the role of such resources in residents’ efforts to live a healthy life. DESIGN: A multiphase collaborative study that inventoried selected markets in targeted areas of high African-American concentration in comparison with markets in a contrasting wealthier area with fewer African Americans. SETTING: A community study set in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS: African-American community organizations and community residents in the target areas. INTERVENTIONS: Two surveys of market inventories were conducted. The first was a single-sheet form profiling store conditions and the availability of a small selection of healthy foods. The second provided detailed information on whether the store offered fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, dried goods and other items necessary for residents to consume a nutritious diet. RESULTS: The targeted areas were significantly less likely to have important items for living a healthier life. The variety and quality of fresh fruit and vegetable produce was significantly lower in the target areas. Such products as 1% milk, skim milk, low-fat and nonfat cheese, soy milk, tofu, whole grain pasta and breads, and low-fat meat and poultry items were significantly less available. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy food products were significantly less available in the target areas. The authors conclude from these results that the health disparities experienced by African-American communities have origins that extend beyond the health delivery system and individual behaviors inasmuch as adherence to the healthy lifestyle associated with low chronic disease risk is more difficult in resource-poor neighborhoods than in resource-rich ones.
This article demonstrates how network analysis can be used to develop a better understanding of a... more This article demonstrates how network analysis can be used to develop a better understanding of a community-based network and steps that might be taken to facilitate network development. The focal network in this study was organized by a local non-profit organization as part of their effort to effect community-level change. The activities of this network were guided by three steering committees, 23 members of which provided data regarding numerous aspects of their relationships with a set of 39 organizations. We first provide descriptive information regarding patterns of relationships among network participants at both the committee and whole-network level. We then summarize results of hierarchical linear modeling and analysis of variance analyses that clarify how data generated through network analysis can be incorporated into these traditional analytic procedures to yield additional insights regarding network properties. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for the continued development of this community-based network, as well as implications for others interested in using network analysis to facilitate change in their own communities.
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