OBJECTIVES: To develop a comprehensive inventory of state physical education (PE) legislation, examine trends in bill introduction, and compare factors. METHODS: State PE legislation from January 2001 to July 2007 was identified using legislative database. Analysis included components evidence-based school the Community Guide other authoritative sources: minutes PE, activity, teacher certification, an environmental element, including facilities equipment. Researchers abstracted information...

Changing the built environment to promote active lifestyles requires collaboration among diverse sectors. Multisectoral collaborative groups in United States through environmental and policy changes. The objective of this study was examine characteristics these extent which they have achieved change.We identified, recruited, interviewed coordinators living States. We used descriptive statistics characterize by composition, stakeholder engagement, change 8 strategic areas.Fifty-nine from 22...

In Brief Context: Built environment-focused interventions and policies are recommended as sustainable approaches for promoting physical activity. Physical activity has not traditionally been considered in land use transportation decision making. Effective collaboration with non–public health partners requires knowledge of their perceived barriers to such consideration. Objective: This analysis sought (a) establish prevalence estimates selected the consideration community design layout...

Public health practice continues to expand beyond traditional partners increase reach and impact in communities. This is particularly important rural communities, who face inequities the social determinants of increased chronic disease burden. However, capacity for non-traditional community organizations understand implement public work varies widely. Promoting policy, systems, environmental change strategies (PSE’s) a promising method support due their variety, flexibility, potential...

Purpose. This study examined municipal officials' participation in built environment policy initiatives focused on land use design, transportation, and parks recreation. Design. Web-based cross-sectional survey. Setting. Eighty-three municipalities with 50,000 or more residents eight states. Subjects. Four hundred fifty-three elected appointed officials. Measures. Outcomes included self-reported recreation to increase physical activity. Independent variables respondent position; perceptions...

Background: The West Virginia Healthy Lifestyles Act contained 5 school-based mandates intended to reduce childhood obesity. These addressed the sale of healthy beverages, physical education time, fitness assessment, health and Body Mass Index measurement. This article describes processes methods used evaluate efforts implement legislation. Methods: University researchers state public staff formed collaborative evaluation team. To assess perceptions practices, surveys were completed with...

We evaluated organization- and network-level factors that influence organizations' perceived success. This is important for managing interorganizational networks, which can mobilize communities to address complex health issues such as physical activity, achieving change.In 2011, we used structured interview network survey data from 22 states in the United States estimate multilevel random-intercept models understand explain success.A total of 53 59 "whole networks" met criteria inclusion...

Background: Trails provide opportunities for recreation, transportation and activity. The purpose of this article is to describe state legislation related community trails, analyze content, evaluate on inclusion evidence-informed elements. Methods: State trail from 2001 2008 was identified using online legislative databases. An analysis elements included in the conducted. These included: funding, liability, accessibility, connectivity, maintenance. Results: Of total 991 bills, 516 (52.0%)...

Abstract Background The United States National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP; 2010), the country’s first national plan for physical activity, provides strategies to increase population-level activity complement 2008 guidelines. This study examined state public health practitioner awareness, dissemination, use, challenges, and recommendations NPAP. Methods In 2011–2012, we interviewed 27 practitioners from 25 states. Interviews were recorded transcribed verbatim. Transcripts coded using a...

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's School Guidelines to Prevent Tobacco Use Addiction were developed, in part, assist state local education agencies adopting implementing effective school-based tobacco prevention cessation programs. This project assessed agency awareness of reaction the Guidelines, documented efforts disseminate schools. Key informants 15 interviewed. Respondents reported a fairly high level receptivity numerous benefits few barriers, commitment. Levels use...

Abstract: Well‐designed school health education should provide students with the knowledge and skills to prevent risk behaviors most responsible for major causes of morbidity mortality. This paper reports methodology findings a West Virginia statewide assessment initiative describes how are used design professional development training educators. Selected response items from State Collaborative on Assessment Student Standards, Health Education Project were develop 40‐item instrument 6...

This article describes the implementation and evaluation of a chronic disease mini-grant initiative, coordinated by state health department in collaboration with multiple stakeholders. Braided funding from federal sources was used to build implement initiative.Mini-grants, facilitated five different facilitating organizations, were funded promote policy, systems, environmental (PSE) changes at local level. Grant recipients represented variety sectors, including education, government,...

Classroom-based physical activity (CBPA) is an emerging strategy for increasing youth activity, as well improving academic achievement and on-task behavior. This paper describes the rationale, development, implementation, evaluation of a professional development training designed classroom education teachers to increase implementation CBPA in elementary schools. Twenty-two 5th grade 12 participated training, which was based on key principles adult learning, including modeling, active...

Schools are an important resource in combating the physical inactivity and obesity epidemics rural economically depressed areas. Through a University-community partnership, teachers adolescents West Virginia county with one of highest rates state developed school-based research intervention to increase activity opportunities. The included walking routes, educational sessions, pedometers. A survey about barriers revealed that “lack willpower” was barrier concern among program participants...

Rural environments present many barriers to regular physical activity (PA), and residents who live in these communities are at higher risk for a variety of health issues.We used community-based participatory research (CBPR) guide the development project interventions enhance partnerships within communities.University-community partnerships, including Extension professionals, were gather data from twenty key informants two West Virginia counties.Respondents identified "places" as both (lack...

Public health experts recommend school-based policies as a population based approach to increase youth physical activity. The purpose of this case study is describe one, largely rural, state's efforts translate recommendation into practice. Details about the genesis, implementation and evolution two state level (physical education activity), well in-house State Department Education monitor policy compliance challenges encountered are described. Two specific years highlighted, due monitoring...

Abstract: Well-designed school health education should provide students with the knowledge and skills to prevent risk behaviors most responsible for major causes of morbidity mortality. This paper reports methodology findings a West Virginia statewide assessment initiative describes how are used design professional development training educators. Selected response items from State Collaborative on Assessment Student Standards, Health Education Project were develop 40-item instrument 6...