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Prochnow T, Patterson MS, Amo C, Curran L, Francis AN, Green E. Cultivating an Active Living Plan Through a Social-Ecological Evaluation. Fam Community Health 2023; 46:229-241. [PMID: 37703511 DOI: 10.1097/fch.0000000000000368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Physical activity (PA) social-ecological model (SEM) posits the importance of several levels of influence critical for PA promotion within communities. The purpose of this study was to examine an SEM evaluation informing a county-wide active living plan in McLennan County, Texas in the United States. Mixed-methods evaluation occurred in 4 stages: (1) county policies (n = 15) were evaluated for PA promoting strategies; (2) PA resource assessments (PARAs) were conducted via Google Maps (n = 171); (3) surveys (n = 244) included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and interpersonal and intrapersonal factors related to PA; and (4) focus groups (n = 5) were conducted with residents (n = 30), discussing barriers and facilitators to being active. Logistic regression determined significant associations between SEM factors and meeting PA recommendations. Policy scans and PARAs identified strengths and areas of improvement (eg, equitable project selection and disparities in resource quality). Residents reporting fewer barriers (OR = 0.89, P =.01), more perceived behavioral control (odds ratio [OR] = 1.38, P = .01), more social co-participation in PA (OR = 1.20, P = .03), and living in zip codes with higher mean PARA score (OR = 1.22, P = .04) were significantly more likely to meet PA recommendations (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.32). Focus groups also discussed safety and disparities in access and quality. This study suggests the utility of the SEM when evaluating and promoting community PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Prochnow
- Department of Health Behavior, Texas A&M University School of Public Health, College Station (Drs Prochnow and Patterson, and Mss Amo, Curran, and Francis); and Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, Waco, Texas (Ms Green)
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Hofer-Fischanger K, Tuttner S, Amort FM, Helms K, Unger J, Hödl J, Strüver A, van Poppel MNM. Promoting active transport in rural communities through infrastructural modifications: the PABEM needs assessment tool. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daab186. [PMID: 34849929 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daab186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The design of the built environment in communities influences active transport and physical activity levels of citizens. Existing instruments for quantitatively assessing built environments were developed for use in urban areas and mainly by experts. Participative assessment of built environment modifications (PABEM) is a needs assessment tool that involves citizens and community decision-makers within a structured process for identifying needed changes to promote walking and cycling in rural areas. This article describes the development of the PABEM process and evaluates its initial use in three rural towns in Austria. PABEM consists of the following seven steps: (i) qualitative interviews; (ii) expert assessment of the built environment; (iii) citizen assessment of the built environment; (iv) social media interaction; (v) household questionnaire; (vi) participatory workshop; and (vii) evaluation and scoring workshop. The main modifications identified as necessary in rural towns were the revitalization of existing walking and cycling facilities and the construction of new barrier-free and safe sidewalks. In addition cycling routes to schools, to public transport facilities and to central public places as well as cleaner and inviting seating, a car-free school environment, speed reduction in town centres, more crosswalks and improved cleanliness in public places were also deemed necessary modifications. PABEM's provisions to ensure collaborative participation of citizens and local decision-makers fostered a continuous dialogue about the requirements of the built environment, user needs and opportunities for realization throughout the whole process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Hofer-Fischanger
- Institute of Health and Tourism Management, FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences, Kaiser-Franz-Josef Straße 24, Bad Gleichenberg 8344, Austria
| | - Silvia Tuttner
- Institute of Health and Tourism Management, FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences, Kaiser-Franz-Josef Straße 24, Bad Gleichenberg 8344, Austria
| | - Frank M Amort
- Institute of Health and Tourism Management, FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences, Kaiser-Franz-Josef Straße 24, Bad Gleichenberg 8344, Austria
| | - Katja Helms
- Institute of Construction Design and Economics, FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences, Alte Poststraße 154, Graz 8020, Austria
| | - Julia Unger
- Institute of Occupational Therapy, FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences, Kaiser-Franz-Josef Straße 24, Bad Gleichenberg 8344, Austria
| | - Josef Hödl
- Institute of Social Work, FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences, Eggenberger Allee 11, Graz 8020, Austria
| | - Anke Strüver
- Institute of Geography and Regional Sciences, University of Graz, Heinrichstraße 36, Graz 8010, Austria
| | - Mireille N M van Poppel
- Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and Health, University of Graz, Mozartgasse 14, Graz 8010, Austria
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Johnson CM, Allicock MA, Sharkey JR, Umstattd Meyer MR, Gómez L, Prochnow T, Laviolette C, Beltrán E, Garza LM. Promotoras de Salud in a Father-Focused Nutrition and Physical Activity Program for Border Communities: Approaches and Lessons Learned from Collaboration. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:11660. [PMID: 36141933 PMCID: PMC9517298 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Promotoras de salud (promotoras) have been a valuable part of community research for Latino families, such as in the recruitment or delivery of health promotion programs. However, there has been limited discussion of how to integrate a promotora model into a father-focused program to support nutrition and physical activity within Latino families. This manuscript's purpose is to describe how to engage and collaborate with promotoras in a father-focused, family-centered program for Latino families living in colonias near the U.S.-Mexico border. As part of a longstanding community-academic partnership, the authors outline approaches and lessons learned from collaboration with promotoras during the design (including formative work and training), implementation, and evaluation of a behavioral program-¡Haz Espacio para Papi! (HEPP, Make Room for Daddy!). Promotoras' contributions supported the entire program, from design through evaluation. The team of all-female promotoras created a balance between the needs and preferences of the community and the goals and requirements of the research. While there is considerable time and human capital required for collaboration, the mutual benefits can make this work meaningful to all involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra M. Johnson
- Nutrition and Foods Program, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
| | - Marlyn A. Allicock
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health-Dallas Regional Campus, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Dallas, TX 75207, USA
| | - Joseph R. Sharkey
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - M. Renée Umstattd Meyer
- Department of Public Health, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76706, USA
| | - Luis Gómez
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Tyler Prochnow
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Chelsey Laviolette
- Nutrition and Foods Program, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
| | - Elva Beltrán
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Luz M. Garza
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Johnson CM, Sharkey JR, Umstattd Meyer MR, Gómez L, Allicock MA, Prochnow T, Beltrán E, Martinez L. Designing for Multilevel Behavior Change: A Father-Focused Nutrition and Physical Activity Program for Mexican-Heritage Families in South Texas Border Communities. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph181910117. [PMID: 34639420 PMCID: PMC8508574 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Fathers significantly influence family functioning, as coparents and partners, and must be part of family-based approaches to behavioral health interventions or programs. But little is known regarding how to support Latino fathers in health promotion within their family systems, specifically for Latino families living in border communities. Program development was embedded in a larger community-based grant and part of a longstanding academic-community collaboration. An interdisciplinary research team applied theories related to health behavior, family systems, behavior change, and community engagement to develop a father-focused and family-centered behavioral program for Mexican-heritage fathers and children living near the Texas-Mexico border to support changes in nutrition and physical activity at the individual and family levels. Promotoras de salud (trained community health workers) delivered the program through group sessions, check-in calls, and at-home activities. Group session activities were designed to engage family triads and dyads using experiential education related to nutrition and physical activity, like cooking lessons and active play, over a six-week period. Future research can use the program approach and curricula as a roadmap for designing context-specific and culturally-relevant programs for Latino families. Additional research is needed to explore how approaches like this can support families and their health goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra M. Johnson
- Nutrition and Foods Program, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(512)-245-9196
| | - Joseph R. Sharkey
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (J.R.S.); (L.G.); (E.B.); (L.M.)
| | - M. Renée Umstattd Meyer
- Department of Public Health, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76706, USA;
| | - Luis Gómez
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (J.R.S.); (L.G.); (E.B.); (L.M.)
| | - Marlyn A. Allicock
- The University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, Houston School of Public Health-Dallas Regional Campus, Dallas, TX 75207, USA;
| | - Tyler Prochnow
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Education and Human Development, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Elva Beltrán
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (J.R.S.); (L.G.); (E.B.); (L.M.)
| | - Luz Martinez
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (J.R.S.); (L.G.); (E.B.); (L.M.)
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Prochnow T, Pickett AC, Gómez L, Sharkey J, Umstattd Meyer MR. Maternal Perceptions of Physical Activity Spaces for Children in Texas Border colonias. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences. [DOI: 10.1177/07399863211044887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This study examined differences in mother-reported physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) based on child sex and mothers’ perceptions of PA resources for Mexican-heritage (MH) children residing in Texas-Mexico border colonias. Mothers with children 8 to 10 years old ( n = 335) from colonias in south Texas reported if there were places for their child to be physically active and their child’s hours of PA and ST per day during the week and weekend. Two-way ANCOVAs examined differences in child PA and ST based on presence of PA places and child sex. Only 46.0% of mothers ( n = 159) reported places for their child to be physically active; with no significant difference based on sex. Mothers’ perceptions of a place to play was differentially beneficial for girls’ weekday PA and ST. Findings suggest a need to increase perceived and/or actual access to PA places in colonias communities, particularly for girls.
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