Alberta Centre for Active Living
Note: where possible, we provide the DOI link to research
papers in the Info Round-Up. To use it,
cut and paste the DOI into the text box on this webpage: http://dx.doi.org/. Access to research articles will be dependent
on your institutional rights.
ABORIGINAL
This paper published by the Dietitians of Canada provides
information to inform decision makers about the dietitian’s role in Aboriginal
communities for the purpose of enhancing nutrition services currently offered
and increased health and well-being in Aboriginal people.
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
BIKESAFE is intended to provide
practitioners with the latest information available for improving the safety
and mobility of those who bicycle. The information on the site falls into two
categories, Resources and Tools.
Bicycling creates healthier
communities, supports local business, and leads to less pollution and congestion.
But people are reluctant to bike when they worry they won’t find a good place
to lock their bicycles. Bicycle parking ordinances provide an easy way to
ensure plentiful bicycle parking and make it clear that bicycles are welcome.
CHRONIC DISEASE
For people with a chronic illness, adopting a healthier
lifestyle, such as smoking cessation, increased physical activity, eliminating
heavy alcohol consumption and improving diet, can extend longevity, reduce the
recurrence of an event and enhance quality of life.
OLDER ADULTS
British Journal of Nutrition / FirstView Article, pp 1-7
Input from a 24-hour dietary recall survey (participants
write down everything they eat and drink) was assessed for 4,731people 60 years
and older participating in the US Third National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey. Individuals who had limited mobility and low physical
activity were categorized as “frail” and were five times more likely to report
that they often do not have enough to eat compared to older adults who were not
frail.
The authors conclude that physical activity reduces the risk
of cognitive impairment, mainly vascular dementia, in older people living
independently.
Older age is a transitional period when people experience
changes not only in physical health, but also in social roles that can
influence opportunities for social participation… social ties may encourage
individuals to engage in health-promoting behaviors such as physical activity…..
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
These guidelines from the Parkinson Society Canada
describe aerobic, strengthening, flexibility, and balance exercises, and
provide tips and a chart for mapping progress
URBAN DESIGN
Today millions of Americans live in what we call
"sprawl" – communities where cars are the primary mode of
transportation, and it can be difficult for residents to walk, bike, or take
public transportation to meet their daily needs.
This Guide provides a broad overview of development
strategies for healthier communities. The guide links health risks (poor
nutrition, lack of physical activity, etc.) to particular aspects of the built
environment, highlighting policies to consider and specific “action steps” for
public health professionals.
The study shows trip lengths and automobile travel are
substantially reduced by compact, transportation-efficient land uses. The key
is to create an environment so folks can complete many activities without using
a car…….
The Make a Place for People project is based on the idea
that community participation is key to the creation of vibrant and healthy
public spaces. With support from the
Ontario government, 8-80 Cities is facilitating a community-led visioning
process in order to inject new life into currently underperforming public
spaces…. The document includes useful engagement and park assessment tools that
could be used in and by any community.
The New York City DOT has been called upon to share the
secret behind successful street design suitable for the 21st Century. The
current report presents an assembly of goals and strategies that they have
relied upon to create streets with wonderful public spaces while maintaining
efficient traffic flow.
Project for Public Spaces, experts in transforming public
spaces, has released a draft handbook of best practices in placemaking.
Highlighted in the report are international case studies as well as 10 ways to
improve your city through public space…..
WORKPLACE
This evaluation was commissioned to evaluate the Paths to
Health Workplace Pedometer
Loan Pack, an initiative designed to increase walking
levels among employees. Pedometer loan packs containing 10 pedometers and
supporting materials were distributed to 18 workplaces across Scotland…..Staff
members at each site volunteered to coordinate the scheme and issued employees
with a pedometer, educational materials and a step-count record card containing
instructions for setting step-count targets over a 12- week walking program.
No comments:
Post a Comment