Path Analysis of Campus Walkability/Bikeability and College Students' Physical Activity Attitudes, Behaviors, and Body Mass Index

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the walkability/bikeability of college campuses and students' body mass index (BMI) with student physical activity (PA) attitudes and behaviors as potential mediators.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Thirteen university campuses.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1384 student participants.

MEASURES

Walkability/bikeability environmental score (ES): 12-item audit assessed an average of 44 path segments per campus. Students were measured for height and weight and completed online surveys. Physical activity stage of change/behavior intentions were assessed using the transtheoretical model. The Cognitive Behavioral Physical Activity Questionnaire assessed outcome expectations, self-regulation, and personal barriers. International Physical Activity Questionnaire assessed walking-, moderate-, and vigorous-intensity PA.

ANALYSIS

Descriptive statistics, zero-order correlations, and path analysis with maximum likelihood estimation.

RESULTS

The overall model fit was good with χ² of 171.388 ( df = 18), P < .001, comparative fit index value of .95, and a root mean square of approximation of .079. After controlling for gender, there was a direct negative association between walkability/bikeability ES and BMI (β = -.085) and positive association between personal barriers and BMI (β = .134). Walkability/bikeability ES was positively associated with walking-intensity PA (β = .010). Self-regulation was positively associated with moderate-intensity PA (β = .213), which, in turn, was negatively associated with BMI (β = -.057).

CONCLUSIONS

The ease of walking and biking on a campus was related to college students' walking behavior and their BMI. Students' PA behavioral intentions were associated with moderate PA and lower BMI. These results provide evidence to focus on policies and structural supports for walkable/bikeable environments to supplement and enhance interventions encouraging individual behavior change for PA and weight management.

Processes underlying young women's decisions to eat fruits and vegetables

OBJECTIVE

To relate the use of identified processes that college women use to eat enough fruits and enough vegetables to their stages of readiness to change and their fruit and vegetable (F/V) intakes.

METHOD

A cross-sectional assessment of college women 18-24 years of age (n = 236) was conducted to assess stage of readiness to eat F/V. Use of seven processes, earlier confirmed in a separate sample of college students the same age (health concerns, self-reevaluation, social liberation, health commitment/action, interpersonal control, external reinforcement and helping relationships) was compared with stage of change for F/V and 3 days of dietary intakes.

RESULTS

In these young college women, use of self-reevaluation, a cognitive process for change, peaked in the preparation stage for both F/V. Use of health commitment/action, a post-action process including counter-conditioning, peaked in those in action/maintenance for F/V. Weight concerns related to the counter-conditioning processes women used to eat more fruit.

CONCLUSION

Health practitioners should focus on weight management, appearance and health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables for this demographic group.

Healthy eating for rural low-income toddlers: caregivers' perceptions

Caregivers exert a powerful influence on young children's eating habits. This qualitative study used focus groups to assess nutritional needs and barriers in establishing healthy eating habits in toddlers. Three focus groups were conducted with rural, low-income caregivers, 2 with men and 1 with women, in 3 rural Michigan counties. Four major themes emerged: (a) barriers to providing healthy meals, (b) division of responsibility, (c) mealtime behavior, and (d) desired nutrition education. The major barriers identified were work schedules; cost of food; inadequate time to shop, plan, and prepare nutritious meals; or a combination thereof. Caregivers expressed concern for the nutritional well-being of their toddlers. The perceived needs and perceptions of low-income caregivers need to be considered when providing nutrition education. Findings from this study provided the basis for developing a nutrition education intervention for low-income parents of young children.

Physical activity and stages of change in fifth and sixth graders

The Stage of Change (SC) paradigm was adapted to assess readiness to be or stay physically active among fifth and sixth graders. Students completed a four-item SC survey, the Past Year Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Modifiable Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages were grouped as "pre-action" (PRE), and action and maintenance as "post-action" (AX) stages. Nearly 40% of all students were in PRE, compared to 60% of students in AX stages. Twenty-two percent of all students were in the sedentary precontemplation or contemplation stages. Significantly more boys were in maintenance than girls, and more girls than boys were in contemplation. Students averaged 14-21 hours/week of television, video, or computer work, and 1.6 hours/week of physical activity outside of school. Interventions may be targeted at a specific SC to enable a child to move forward along the SC continuum toward an active lifestyle.