Physical Activity

Innovative approaches are urgently needed to improve behavioral treatment for weight loss. The weight regain that is so common after 7 treatment may be a result of an environment that makes it challenging to adhere, long-term, to a dietary and physical activity regimen.

Background-African Americans are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer morbidity and mortality. Physical activity and healthy dietary practices can reduce this risk. The church is a promising setting to address health disparities, and community-based participatory research is a preferred approach.

The current remediation technique of heavy metal from contaminated soil-water are expensive, time consuming and environmentally destructive. Unlike organic compounds, metals cannot degrade, and therefore effective cleanup requires their immobilization to reduce or remove toxicity. In recent years, scientists and engineers have started to generate cost effective technologies that include use of microorganisms/biomass or live plants to clean polluted areas. Phytoremediation is an emerging technology for cleaning up contaminated sites, which is cost effective, and has aesthetic advantages and long term applicability. It is best applied at sites with shallow contamination of organic, nutrient or metal pollutants that are amenable to one of the five applications; phytotransformation, rhizosphere bioremediation, phytostabilization, phytoextraction and rhizofiltration. The technology involves efficient use of plants to remove, detoxify or immobilize environmental contaminants in a growth matrix (soil, water or sediments) through the natural, biological, chemical or physical activities or processes of the plants. A brief review on phytoremediation of heavy metals and its effect on plants have been compiled to provide a wide applicability of phytoremediation.

Weight gain induced by antipsychotics is the second most frequently given reason for noncompliance with pharmacologic therapy; excessive sedative effects rank first, with extrapyramidal side effects ranking third. Frequently, weight gain leads to inconsistent pharmacologic treatment; this exposes patients to the risk of recurrent symptoms. In fact, one of the key contributors to good clinical outcomes in schizophrenic patients is compliance with pharmacologic treatment. The goals of this study were to evaluate weight gain in a group of patients treated with olanzapine, diet modifications, and moderate physical activity and to compare the findings with those from a second group of patients who were given only olanzapine treatment. For 8 wk, investigators followed 2 groups of patients suffering from schizophrenia and hypomania in bipolar disorder, according to the nosographic criteria of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). The first group (A) of 18 patients (9 female, 9 male) affected by manic episodes in bipolar disorder received olanzapine (10-20 mg/d), jogged lightly for 30 min 3 times a week, and complied with a diet that consisted of 500 kcal/d less than usual. The second group (B) of 10 patients (4 female, 6 male) with schizophrenia received only olanzapine (10-20 mg/d). All patients from both groups were weighed at the beginning 123 Advances in Therapy ®

The beneficial effect of exercise training and exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on symptom-free exercise capacity,cardiovascular and skeletal muscle function, quality of life, general healthy lifestyle, and reduction of depressive symptoms and psychosocial stress is nowadays well recognized. However, it remains largely obscure, which characteristics of physical activity (PA) and exercise training--frequency, intensity, time (duration), type (mode), and volume (dose: intensity x duration) of exercise--are the most effective. The present paper, therefore, will deal with these exercise characteristics in the management of individuals with cardiovascular disease, i.e. coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure patients, but also in patients with congenital or valvular heart disease. Based on the current literature, and if sufficient evidence is available, recommendations from the European Association on Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation are formulated regarding fr...

Transtheoretical model as a framework for promoting cardiovascular health through behaviour change: a systematic review Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the single leading cause of death around the globe. The Transtheoretical model (TTM) is a successful framework for guiding behaviour change programmes for several health behaviours, yet there are limited reviews on how TTM has been used to facilitate behaviour change associated with reduced CVD. Therefore, the aims of this systematic review are to determine (i) how TTM has been used in promoting physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and smoking cessation and (ii) gaps in knowledge in the use of stage-based model to improve physical activity, intake of fruit and vegetables, and smoking cessation. Materials and Methods: The approach to this systematic review was informed by current recommendations known as Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Approach (PRISMA). Results: Constructs of TTM were used in the design of studies, facilitation of health behaviour change, monitoring of change in the movement of the participants across the change continuum, and evaluation of the effectiveness of health behaviour programmes. TTM was incorporated with other models, including Health Belief Model (HBM), social-ecological model, and social cognitive theory to facilitate behaviour change. There were limited studies that used all the four constructs of TTM to promote health behaviour change. ABSTRACT IRJPH: https://escipub.com/international-research-journal-of-public-health/ 1 Ejiofor A. Ezika and Adaobi Nwankwo-Ezika, IRJPH, 2020; 4:46 IRJPH: https://escipub.com/international-research-journal-of-public-health/ 2

The European Society of Cardiology heart failure guidelines firmly recommend regular physical activity and structured exercise training (ET), but this recommendation is still poorly implemented in daily clinical practice outside specialized centres and in the real world of heart failure clinics. In reality, exercise intolerance can be successfully tackled by applying ET. We need to encourage the mindset that breathlessness may be evidence of signalling between the periphery and central haemodynamic performance and regular physical activity may ultimately bring about favourable changes in myocardial function, symptoms, functional capacity, and increased hospitalization-free life span and probably survival. In this position paper, we provide practical advice for the application of exercise in heart failure and how to overcome traditional barriers, based on the current scientific and clinical knowledge supporting the beneficial effect of this intervention.

Physical activities for a few days can increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA in rat hippocampus. To investigate the influence of maternal exercise during pregnancy on rat pup hippocampal BDNF mRNA, we studied its expression by a semi-quantitative RT-PCR method after young pregnant rats were exercised on a motor driven treadmill. Pups of exercised mothers had significantly increased hippocampal BDNF

Administration of Physical Education and Sport Programs, Fifth Edition offers an overview of the theoretical and practical methods and techniques of the administration of physical education and sport programs in an easy-to-read, easy-to-use presentation. With a strong background in history, Administration of Physical Education and Sport Programs, Fifth Edition encompasses actual themes and developments in management and administration while investigating the future of athletic administration. Special emphasis is placed on diversity, ethics, standards, conflict resolution, and transparency needs in all organizations. Each chapter begins with a case study and contains attractive end-of-chapter workouts. Critical thinking scenarios strengthen key terms and theories. From the basics of management and administration to more topic-specific chapters discussing public relations, communications, law, and financial planning and budget restrictions, the text covers everything students need for administration courses.

Declines in children's active transport and independent mobility have been dramatic in many western nations over recent decades. Despite the growing understanding of policy changes that would lead to increases in children's active transport, it has not been possible to reverse the trends in children's mobilities in most nations. This paper focuses on the potential for using two Disney-Pixar movies as allegories for the links between children's mobilities and major resource, health and environmental issues facing humanity. These include energy stress (particularly oil vulnerability), the health impacts of decreasing physical activity, and the likely environmental outcomes of 'business as usual' in modern western societies. The paper explains how the use of themes in Monsters, Inc. and WALL-E, facilitates the harnessing of the positive affect that may motivate changes in values and behaviour to enhance children's independent mobility and active transport.

A new way of spending leisure time browsing the Internet, using social networking sites, and playing games has created a new health problem: cell phone addiction. So-called phonoholism or netholism is most thriving among young people, who prioritize entertainment in the real world, which most often necessitates physical activity, over entertainment in the virtual world, which requires a more static approach. However, some companies have gone against the traditional use of phone games by creating multimedia city games that require a dynamic-movement approach. The aim of this review is to gather current theoretical knowledge about electronic forms of entertainment in the context of their influence on users' physical activity, creation of health potential and formation of risk of addiction to such forms of entertainment.

Empirical research on the effects of school sport policies on children's physical activity is limited. This study examined sport policies (intramural vs. varsity), physical settings within schools, and supervision in relation to physical activity using the System for Observing Play and Leisure in Youth (SOPLAY). Data were collected on physical activity levels of children in four middle schools. Regression analyses assessed the main effects of sport policy, type of physical activity setting, and supervision as well as interactions. Regression models were stratified by gender. Children in intramural schools were more likely to use indoor spaces and be boys. Regression models indicated that varsity sport programs were associated with lower physical activity levels among boys but not girls. Significant associations between type of physical activity settings and physical activity levels were observed only for boys. Adult supervision was not associated with children's physical activity levels. Finally, descriptive results showed athletic facilities were under-utilized in all schools.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify various barriers and facilitators associated with participation in fitness and recreation programs/facilities among persons with disabilities. Methods: Focus groups were conducted in ten regions across the United States in 2001 to 2002 with four types of participants: (1) consumers with disabilities, (2) architects, (3) fitness and recreation professionals, and (4) city planners and park district managers. Sessions were tape-recorded and content analyzed; focus group facilitators took notes of identified barriers and facilitators to access. Results: Content analysis of tape recordings revealed 178 barriers and 130 facilitators. The following themes were identified: (1) barriers and facilitators related to the built and natural environment; (2) economic issues; (3) emotional and psychological barriers; (4) equipment barriers; (5) barriers related to the use and interpretation of guidelines, codes, regulations, and laws; (6) information-related barriers; (7) professional knowledge, education, and training issues; (8) perceptions and attitudes of persons who are not disabled, including professionals; (9) policies and procedures both at the facility and community level; and (10) availability of resources. Conclusions: The degree of participation in physical activity among people with disabilities is affected by a multifactorial set of barriers and facilitators that are unique to this population. Future research should utilize this information to develop intervention strategies that have a greater likelihood of success.

Injmy to the ligaments on the lateral side of the ankle and foot, caused by a sudden excessive inversion andlor torsion of the foot in relation to the leg, is probably the most common everyday injury of the locomotory system. Most of these injuries are sustained during sport, but with increasing age activities of daily life become a more dominant cause. It is estimated that one inversion injury of the ankle per 10.000 persons per day occurs. Despite adequate treatment, it is estimated that approximately 40% of the patients suffer from residual symptoms after sustaining this injury. These symptoms include recurrent sprains, 'giving way' sensations, pain, swelling and stiffness. The severity of these complaints is related to the level of demands regarding physical activities, but the great majority of the patients who note these complaints is not incapacitated by them. Presumably only a small percentage of patients with chronic lateral instability consults a general practition...

In this review we summarize the epidemiological, cross-sectional, and interventional studies examining the association between physical activity and brain volume, function, and risk for Alzheimer's disease. The epidemiological literature provides compelling evidence that greater amounts of physical activity are associated with a reduced risk of dementia in late life. In addition, randomized interventions using neuroimaging tools have reported that participation in physical activity increases the size of prefrontal and hippocampal brain areas, which may lead to a reduction in memory impairments. Consistent with these findings, longitudinal studies using neuroimaging tools also find that the volume of prefrontal and hippocampal brain areas are larger in individuals who engaged in more physical activity earlier in life. We conclude from this review that there is convincing evidence that physical activity has a consistent and robust association with brain regions implicated in age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. In addition to summarizing this literature we provide recommendations for future research on physical activity and brain health.

Research indicates that exercise is an efficacious intervention for depression among adults; however, little is known regarding its efficacy for preventing postpartum depression. The Healthy Mom study was a randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of an exercise intervention for the prevention of postpartum depression. Specifically, postpartum women with a history of depression or a maternal family history of depression (n=130) were randomly assigned to a telephone-based exercise intervention or a wellness/support contact control condition each lasting six months. The exercise intervention was designed to motivate postpartum women to exercise based on Social Cognitive Theory and the Transtheoretical Model. The primary dependent variable was depression based on the Structured Clinical Diagnostic Interview (SCID). Secondary dependent variables included scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the PHQ-9, and the Perceived Stress Scale. The purpose of this paper is to describe the study design, methodology, and baseline data for this trial. Upon completion of the trial, the results will yield important information about the efficacy of exercise in preventing postpartum depression.

Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory studies have yielded definitive evidence that physical activity is able to reduce the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases and to improve physical fitness and quality of life. Moreover, physical activ- ity seems to be capable of significantly reducing the risk of developing other chronic diseases, such as obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes, some neoplasms and depression. For

To determine (i) the extent to which recommended lifestyle healthy behaviors are adopted and the existence of positive attitudes to health; (ii) the relative influence of socio-demographic variables on multiple healthy lifestyle behaviors and positive attitudes to health; (iii) the association between healthy lifestyle behaviors and positive attitudes to health. Two distinct healthy behavioral measures were developed: (i) healthy lifestyles based on physical activity, no cigarette smoking, no/moderate alcohol drinking, maintaining a "healthy" weight and having no sleeping problems and (ii) positive health attitudes based on having positive emotional attitudes, such as: self-perceived good health status, being calm, peaceful and happy for most of the time, not expecting health to get worse and regular health check-ups. A composite healthy lifestyle index, ranging from 0 (none of behaviors met) to 5 (all behaviors met) was calculated by summing up the individual's scores...

Summary. During the second pregnancy of 56 Swedish women resulting in a term birth, energy intake and physical activity were measured for 3 days at weeks 17 and 33. The values were related to maternal lean body mass, pregnancy weight gain, maternal fat accretion and infant birth-weight by multiple linear regression analyses. A significant regression coefficient was found for energy intake at week 17 on maternal fat accretion. Energy intake was not significantly correlated with infant birthweight, not even when physical activity and maternal lean body mass were taken into account. Thus in a well-nourished Swedish population, energy intake is positively related to maternal fat accretion but not to the birthweight of term infants.

Objective: Depression and insomnia are closely linked, yet our understanding of their prospective relationships remains limited. The aim of the current study was to investigate the directionality of association between depression and insomnia. Methods: Data were collected from a prospective population-based study comprising the most recent waves of the Nord-TrLndelag Health Study (HUNT) (the HUNT2 in 1995Y1997 and the HUNT3 in 2006Y2008). A total of 24,715 persons provided valid responses on the relevant questionnaires from both surveys. Study outcomes were onset of depression or insomnia at HUNT3 in persons not reporting the other disorder in HUNT2. Results: Both insomnia and depression significantly predicted the onset of the other disorder. Participants who did not have depression in HUNT2 but who had insomnia in both HUNT2 and HUNT3 had an odds ratio (OR) of 6.2 of developing depression at HUNT3. Participants who did not have insomnia in HUNT2 but who had depression in both HUNT2 and HUNT3 had an OR of 6.7 of developing insomnia at HUNT3. ORs were only slightly attenuated when adjusting for potential confounding factors. Conclusions: The results support a bidirectional relationship between insomnia and depression. This finding stands in contrast to the previous studies, which have mainly focused on insomnia as a risk factor for the onset of depression.

Physical activity is considered an important and determining factor for the cancer patient's physical well-being and quality of life. However, cancer treatment may disrupt the practice of physical activity, and the prevention of sedentary lifestyles in cancer survivors is imperative. The current study aimed at investigating self-reported physical activity behaviour, exercise motivation and information in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Using a cross-sectional design, 451 patients (18-65 years) completed a questionnaire assessing pre-illness and present physical activity; motivation and information received. Patients reported a significant decline in physical activity from pre-illness to the time in active treatment (p<0.001). Amongst the respondents, 68% answered that they believed exercise to be beneficial; and 78% claimed not exercising as much as desired. Exercise barriers included fatigue (74%) and physical discomfort (45%). Present physical activity behaviour wa...

CERIN, E., B. E. SAELENS, J. F. SALLIS, and L. D. FRANK. Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale: Validity and Development of a Short Form. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 38, No. 9, pp. 1682-1691, 2006. Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the factorial and criterion validity of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) and to develop an abbreviated

Psychological well-being has been generally associated with vigorous aerobic activity and structured aerobic activity in adolescents and children. Low-income children are at greater risk than the general population for experiencing high environmental stress and increased mental health problems. This study investigated the effects of a structured physical fitness program on psychological well-being in low-income Hispanic children. A total of 66, 33 girls, 33 boys, in Grade 4 were randomly assigned to either an Aerobic intensity ( n = 34) or a Control intensity physical activity program ( n = 32) for 6 wk. Psychological well-being was defined as scores on trait anxiety, depression, and self-esteem, measured, respectively, by the Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Rosenberg Self-esteem scale. Analysis showed the children in the Aerobic intensity program significantly ( p< .05) improved their cardiovascular fitness as measured by the PWC170 test. After the progra...

A large proportion of non-communicable disease can be attributed to modifiable risk factors such as poor nutrition and physical inactivity. We present data on planning and transport practitioners' perceptions and responses to government public health guidance aimed at ...

During the late 1960s and into the 1970s game-based approaches to sport teaching and coaching emerged in scholarly literature on sport and physical education teaching. Game based pedagogical approaches for games and sport teaching have been distinguished by some authors through the more prominent emphasis on guided discovery teaching and student/athlete reflective thinking than what occurs in the more historically common sport-as-sport techniques approach typified by a demonstration-replication, or 'transmission', method of instruction. However, guided discovery is also associated with another teaching approach that emerged in the 1960s, Style F of Mosston's Spectrum of Teaching Styles. In this paper we posit that rather than be seen as competing approaches, game-based approaches and The Spectrum of Teaching Styles should be seen as complementary as both are governed by a fundamental proposition – pedagogical decision making. In particular, due to the Spectrum of Teachin...

Silent coeliac disease is reported in 1% of Caucasian populations, but there is a lack of knowledge of its natural course and the risk of complications. The need for population screening is debated. We sought for complications of untreated coeliac disease in a well-defined cohort of Finnish adults. Subjects (n=2427, ages 24-39 years) attending the 21-year follow-up visit of the study "Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns" completed an extensive questionnaire on their health, diet, social situation and family life, and were given a medical examination. Measurement of serum IgA-transglutaminase and IgA-endomysium antibodies identified 21 subjects with silent coeliac disease. The subjects with silent coeliac disease did not differ from the rest of the cohort in age, gender, stature, weight, medical diagnoses (autoimmune, malignant), health concerns, use of alternative medications, physical activity, or in the cause of death their parents. They had lower serum HDL-cholesterol (1...

To determine whether patterns of sleeping metabolic rate (SMR) are altered in obesity. Specifically to determine the relationship between changes in SMR and body weight, body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)), and fat-free mass (FFM); and to compare resting metabolic rate (RMR) with SMR during different periods of sleep. Eighteen healthy, pre-menopausal, obese (BMI >30, n=9) and non-obese (BMI <30, n=9), female subjects (six Caucasians and 12 African-Americans), with an average age of 36 y (range 22-45). Total energy expenditure (TEE or 24 h EE), metabolic rate (MR), SMR (minimum, average and maximum) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) or resting energy expenditure (REE) measured by human respiratory chamber, and external mechanical work measured by a force platform within the respiratory chamber. Physical activity index (PAL) was derived as TEE/REE. Body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). SMR decreased continuously during sleep and reached its lowest ...

Background. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine: (a) the effect of two physical activ-A considerable literature exists that suggests physiity modes on changes in subjective well-being (SWB) cal activity participation to be associated with an imover the course of a 12-month period in older, formerly proved sense of psychological well-being. Indeed, over sedentary adults (N ‫؍‬ 174, M age ‫؍‬ 65.5 years) and (b) 90 reviews have been published in this area [1]. Althe role played by physical activity participation and though the mechanisms underlying the association social support in changes in SWB over time. between well-being and physical activity are not well Method. Participants were randomized into either defined, there appears to be a fairly consistent associaan aerobic activity group or a stretching and toning tion reported between these variables. In a recent regroup. Structural equation modeling was employed to view of 38 studies of physical activity effects on psychoconduct multiple sample latent growth curve analyses logical well-being in older adults, McAuley and Rudolph of individual growth in measures of SWB (happiness, [2] concluded that the relationship was consistent satisfaction with life, and loneliness) over time. across age and gender, that it was unclear as to the Results. A curvilinear growth pattern was revealed effect that physical fitness had on this relationship, with well-being significantly improving over the and that the measurement of psychological well-being course of the intervention followed by significant dewas inconsistent. clines at the 6-month follow-up. Subsequent structural Relative to this latter point, psychological health can analyses were conducted showing that frequency of be conceptualized as having both negative and positive exercise participation was a significant predictor of affective poles, which can be characterized as psychoimprovement in satisfaction with life, whereas social logical distress (e.g., depression, anxiety) and psychorelations were related to increases in satisfaction with life and reductions in loneliness. Improvements in so-logical well-being (e.g., positive affect) [3,4]. The majorcial relations and exercise frequency also helped to ity of this literature with respect to older adults has buffer the declines in satisfaction with life at follow-up. focused on the reduction of negative symptomology and, Conclusions. It appears that social relations integral very often, employed aerobic exercise as the mode of to the exercise environment are significant determiactivity. We suggest that two elements be considered nants of subjective well-being in older adults. Findings here. First, the understanding of psychological health are discussed in terms of how physical activity environnecessitates a multidimensional approach that asments might be structured to maximize improvements sesses the absence of negative affect, presence of posiin more global well-being constructs such as satisfactive affect, and satisfaction with one's life [5]. These tion with life. ᭧ 2000 American Health Foundation and Academic Press affective and cognitive components of well-being are Key Words: exercise; aging; psychological well-being; often collectively referred to by the umbrella term of controlled trial. subjective well-being (SWB; [5]). Although the SWB collective has been examined across a broad array of environments [6], typically only individual affective 1 Funding for this study was provided by the National Institute on components (e.g., positive affect, well-being) are mea-Aging (Grant AG 12113). 2 To whom reprint requests should be addressed at Department of sured in physical activity research.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of risk factors and risk for cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes in employees with sedentary occupations enrolled in a workplace health-promotion program. Methods: Participants (n = 762) were recruited from ten Melbourne workplaces, participating in a physical activity program. Demographic, behavioral, biomedical, and physical measurements were collected. Results: The majority of employees were not meeting recommended guidelines for physical activity (62%), fruit intake (70%), vegetable intake (86%), body mass index (58%), or waist circumference (53%). Most had intermediate (53%) or high (7%) risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Conclusions: The majority of Australian adults in sedentary occupations were not meeting guidelines for a number of chronic disease risk factors and a substantial proportion were unaware of their increased risk. This study supports the potential of chronic disease risk factor detection and intervention programs in the workplace.

Objective. The identification of the determinants of physical activity (PA) among older adults is an important avenue of research. To date, although the health action process approach (HAPA) has proven to be a valid framework for the prediction of PA among heterogeneous sample of both middle-aged and older adults in rehabilitation and work settings, no studies have specifically considered its predictive value among older adults in their retirement years. Therefore, drawing upon the HAPA, the present study aimed to identify the social cognitive determinants of PA involvement among retired older adults.

This study compared the determinants of physical activity in active and low-active African-American sixth grade students (N = 108, 57 F, 51 M). Objective assessments of physical activity over a seven-day period were obtained using the CSA 7164 accelerometer. Students were classified as active if they exhibited three or more 20-minute bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity over the seven-day period. Relative to low-actives, active boys reported significantly higher levels of self-efficacy, greater involvement in community physical activity organizations, and were significantly more likely to perceive their mother as active. Relative to low-actives, active girls reported significantly higher levels of physical activity self-efficacy, greater positive beliefs regarding physical activity outcomes, and were significantly less likely to watch television or play video games for ≥ 3 hrs/day. These observations provide preliminary guidance as to the design of physical activity interventions targeted at African-American youth.

Although socioeconomic status is a major contributing factor to health disparities, the mechanisms through which socioeconomic status influences health remain unclear. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate an a priori conceptual model of the pathways between socioeconomic status and modifiable health risk factors in a sample of 399 African Americans seeking smoking cessation treatment. A latent variable modeling approach was utilized to characterize the interrelationships among socioeconomic status, neighborhood disadvantage, social support, negative affect/perceived stress, and three specific modifiable risk factors (i.e., overweight/obesity, insufficient physical activity, at-risk drinking). Findings indicated that neighborhood disadvantage, social support, and negative affect/perceived stress function as pathways linking socioeconomic status and modifiable risk factors among African American smokers, and negative affect/perceived stress appears to play a key mediating role. Policy, community, and individual-level interventions may attenuate the impact of socioeconomic status on health by targeting intermediate psychosocial, environmental, and behavioral pathways.

Over the past decade, motivational interviewing has been used by health professionals to promote health behavior changes and help individuals increase their motivation or "readiness" to change. This paper describes a preliminary study used to evaluate the feasibility of motivational interviewing as a component in a school-based obesity prevention program, New Moves. New Moves is a program for inactive adolescent high school girls who are overweight or at risk for becoming overweight due to low levels of physical activity. Throughout the 18-week pilot study, 41 girls, aged 16-18 participated in an all-girls physical education class that focused on increasing physical activity, healthy eating and social support. Individual sessions, using motivational interviewing techniques, were also conducted with 20 of the girls to develop goals and actions related to eating and physical activity. Among the participants, 81% completed all seven of the individual sessions and girls set a goal 100% of the time. Motivational interviewing offers a promising approach as a component for school-based obesity prevention programs and was demonstrated to be feasible to implement in school settings and acceptable to the adolescents.

Background: Research is needed to understand how mental health physiotherapists use social support when promoting physical activity. Aims: The aim of this study was to establish which dimensions of social support are used within physiotherapy sessions for individuals with schizophrenia. Method: A cross sectional international survey design of specialist mental health physiotherapists was undertaken. Results: Forty mental health physiotherapists provided in depth accounts of the four functional dimensions of social support (informational, tangible, esteem and emotional) and the one structural dimension (importance of group exercise). The results illustrate how these different dimensions of social support are used by physiotherapists to engage patients and identify the value of group work as a specific form of support. Specifically the importance of all types of support was reported and this helped to provide a detailed consideration to the skills that mental health physiotherapist have. Conclusion: Providing social support is a significant part of the rehabilitation professionals' role. The current results advance the current understanding of how social support is provided to individuals with schizophrenia in rehabilitation settings.