Moderate physical activity and its relationship to select measures of a healthy diet.

CONTEXT: In rural communities, physical activity may influence and predict nutritional behaviors. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if an individual's stage of participation in moderate physical activity was related to select measures of a healthy diet. METHODS: Data were collected using a mail-in survey from a random sample conducted in the rural/frontier communities of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. A total of 6 communities, 2 from each state, were surveyed with approximately 575 surveys sent to each community. The response rate was 51.5%. FINDINGS: Regression analysis revealed that there was a significant difference (P < 05) in select measures of a healthy diet between those in the maintenance stage of moderate levels of physical activity (physically active for 6 months or more) and those in precontemplation (not currently active and with no intention of starting), contemplation (not currently active but considering starting within the next 6 months), and preparation (not currently active but taking steps to become active within the next 30 days). Those in maintenance had a healthier diet. Additionally, women, older people, those with at least some college education, and those who were employed had healthier diets. CONCLUSIONS: These results lend preliminary support to the idea that moderate physical activity could act as a gateway behavior, a behavior that, if adopted, could lead to the adoption of other healthy behaviors. However, additional research is needed to confirm the nature, if any, of this relationship.

Perspectives on intake of calcium-rich foods among Asian, Hispanic, and white preadolescent and adolescent females.

OBJECTIVE: Declining calcium intake among adolescents warrants attention. Our objective was to identify influences on adolescents' consumption of calcium-rich foods. DESIGN: Focus groups were conducted with girls representing 2 age groups (11 to 12 or 16 to 17 years) and 3 macroethnic groups (Asian, Hispanic, or white). SETTING: Public schools in 10 states. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample (n = 200) was recruited through schools. VARIABLES MEASURED: Focus groups (n = 35) were audiotaped and transcribed. Influences relative to consumption of milk or other calcium-rich foods were identified. ANALYSIS: Comments were coded as motivators or barriers within each focus group. Content analysis procedures were used to compare ethnic and age groups. RESULTS: A barrier to milk consumption that was more common among older girls and Asian groups was the limited expectation within families for drinking milk. Many controlled their own beverage choices, and milk, even if liked, was only one option. Milk was positively associated with strength and bone health, but these attributes were viewed as being more important for boys than girls. Milk was associated with breakfast, school lunches, cereal, and desserts. White girls had the most positive reactions to milk and Hispanic girls the most negative. All groups were positive toward pizza, ice cream, and cheese. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: To improve calcium intake among teens, interventions should include a family component, stress the benefits of milk for girls, and focus on breakfast.

Values, body weight, and well being: the influence of the protestant ethic and consumerism on physical activity, eating, and body image.

This article explores how people's values shape their experiences and emotions with respect to physical activity, eating, and body image. It describes the results of a grounded theory analysis of individual and focus group interviews conducted as part of a community-based health improvement project, Wellness IN the Rockies (WIN the Rockies). The analysis links core theoretical constructs, including habitus, sedimentation, and natural attitude, to larger socio-cultural and historical trends embodied in the Protestant ethic and the rise of consumerism, illuminating how these values shape people's everyday understanding of their experiences. Key analytic frameworks focus on the socialization processes involved in inculcating values, identity formation, and moralization as they relate to health attitudes and behaviors. Major implications of the results are discussed, especially the need to enhance self-understanding about social values in health education.