Delivering the Science and the Art of Health Promotion

Robert F. Allen
Symbol of HOPE
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Editor's Notes: Fool Me Once, Shame on You. Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me

Recipient of the 2008 Robert F. Allen Symbol of H.O.P.E. Award

Instructions to Authors

Call for Conference Proposals

Author Index for Volume 22

Subject Index for Volume 22

Interventions

JoEllen Vrazel
Ruth P. Saunders
Sara Wilcox

An Overview and Proposed Framework of Social Environmental Influences on the Physical-Activity Behavior of Women
This review sought to identify key social environmental influences on the physical activity behavior of women and to propose an organizing framework. Using computerized searches of databases, 43 studies that met the inclusion criteria were identified. The analysis revealed a complex range of factors in the social environment that influence women, including social support/social networks, life transitions/multiple roles, and cultural standards/gender role expectations. A social environmental framework related to Bronfenbrenner's social ecological model is proposed along with recommended strategies to apply in interventions targeting women.

Elizabeth V. Cyarto
Wendy J. Brown
Alison L. Marshall
Stewart G. Trost

Comparison of the Effects of a Home-based and Group-based Resistance Training Program on Functional Ability in Older Adults
The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of a home- and group-based progressive resistance training program and a group walking program in improving functional performance in older adults.  One hundred sixty-seven retirement village residents aged 65 to 96 years participated in an intervention consisting of 9 resistance training exercises using graded exercise bands and body weight, two balance exercises and 10 stretches.  Home-based participants were given an exercise booklet, eight hours of instruction and telephone support.  Significant between-group differences were observed only for the lower body flexibility test.  Strength, lower body flexibility and agility/dynamic balance improved in group-based resistance training participants, and strength and upper body flexibility improved in the home-based participants.

Mohammad Siahpush
Matt Spittal
Gopal K. Singh

Happiness and Life Satisfaction Prospectively Predict Self-Rated Health, Physical Health and the Presence of Limiting Long-Term Health Conditions
Is being happy and satisfied with life linked with self-reports of good health? Based on the findings of this Australian prospective study, the answer appears to be, Yes. In a subsample of 9981 adults aged 18 years and older surveyed at baseline and two years later, the odds of reporting good health were 1.5 times greater among adults who were happy most or all of the time compared with those who reported being happy only a little or none of the time. Happy people who were satisfied with their lives reported better health at baseline and at the two-year follow-up.

Francisco de A.      Carmona-Torres
Ana Garcia-Arellano
Iva Marques-Lopes
Josep Basora
Dolores Corella
Enrique Gómez-Gracia
Miquel Fiol
María-Isabel Covas
Fernando Aros
Manuel Conde
Jose Lapetra
Ramon Estruch
Miguel Angel Martinez-      Gonzalez

Relationship of Alcoholic Beverage Consumption to Food Habits in a Mediterranean Population
This study compared food habits according to alcoholic beverage preference in a Mediterranean population of 1675 men 55-80 years old, and 2150 women 60-80 years old with no documented cardiovascular disease but with either diabetes or 3 or more major cardiovascular risk factors.  The measures included a food frequency questionnaire, alcoholic beverage consumption, adherence to Mediterranean diet, age, family history of cardiovascular disease, smoking, body mass index, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.  Results showed no substantial differences in adherence to the Mediterranean diet according to the main type of alcoholic beverage consumed and no evidence to support that Mediterranean wine drinkers at high cardiovascular risk have a healthier diet than other drinkers.

Sophia S. C. Chan
Gabriel M. Leung
David C. N. Wong
Tai-Hing Lam

Helping Chinese Fathers Quit Smoking Through Educating Their Non-Smoking Spouses: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study was a randomized controlled trial of a two-step health education intervention by nurses delivered through non-smoking mothers to help fathers of sick children quit smoking.  The intervention group (n=752) received standardized health advice, behavioral modification booklets, and a one-week telephone reminder. The control group (n=731) received usual care.  At 3 months, significantly more fathers in the intervention group quit smoking, reduced daily cigarette consumption by 50% or more, and reported quit attempts. The differences were not statistically significant at 12 months.

Jana J. Peterson
John B. Lowe
N. Andrew Peterson
Faryle K. Nothwehr
Kathleen F. Janz
Jeffrey G. Lobas

Paths to Leisure Physical Activity Among Adults With Intellectual Disabilities:  Self-Efficacy and Social Support
A model was tested that included perceptions of social support and self-efficacy for leisure physical activity and leisure physical activity participation among adults with intellectual disabilities.  Study participants included 152 adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities residing in a community-based group supported living setting.  The hypothesized model fit the data.  Social support and self-efficacy predicted physical activity participation, with self-efficacy serving as a mediator between social support and physical activity.  Self-efficacy and social support for leisure physical activity are related to leisure physical activity participation among adults with intellectual disabilities receiving supported living services.

Amy V. Ries
Joel Gittelsohn
Carolyn C. Voorhees
Kathleen M. Roche
Kelly J. Clifton
Nan M. Astone

The Environment and Urban Adolescents’ Use of Recreational Facilities for Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study
This study investigated environmental factors influencing the use of recreational facilities for physical activity by urban African American adolescents. Data included in-depth interviews with 48 adolescents aged 14 to 18 and 26 direct observations of facilities. The results suggest that facility use is influenced by the physical, social, organizational, and economic environments. Adolescents are attracted to low-cost, well-maintained facilities that offer preferred activities and are within close proximity to home. Concerns about facility safety largely determine use, particularly for adolescent females.

Elizabeth A. Dodson
Sarah L. Lovegreen
Michael B. Elliott
Debra Haire-Joshu
Ross C. Brownson

Worksite Policies and Environments Supporting Physical Activity in Midwestern Communities
This study explored the relationship of worksite policies and environments to leisure-time physical activity among residents of Midwestern communities in Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee. Cross-sectional samples of free-living adults who lived within 2 miles of a walking trail and had working telephones were surveyed about the number and type of worksite policies and environments. Employees with accessible stairways were 1.4 times more likely to meet physical activity recommendations through moderate or vigorous activity than those without access to stairways. In general, as the number of worksite policies or environments increased, the likelihood of meeting physical activity recommendations also increased.

The Art of Health Promotion

Larry S. Chapman
D’Ann Whitehead
Megan C. Connors

The Changing Role of Incentives in Health Promotion and Wellness
Incentives have been a part of the health promotion and wellness landscape for over three decades.  The mounting need for engagement and risk mitigation are changing the role that incentives play in programming strategies.  Incentives are increasing in size and are undergoing a fast process of assimilation within large employer organizations.  More sophisticated communication strategies are helping maximize the motive force element in many settings.  Health plans have been slower to innovate with incentives but are now attempting to catch up.  A possible “ideal” or “endgame” incentive strategy is suggested and one scenario for the future of wellness incentives is proposed.

American Journal of Health Promotion |  248-682-0707