Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors Trends Among Black High School Students, 2009-2019.

Purpose: Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors are key contributors to the rising rates of childhood obesity. Though many adolescents are aware of the benefits of exercise, youth in America are not sufficiently active. This study examined changes in physical activity (PA), physical education (PE), and sedentary behaviors among Black adolescents. Methods: Pooled data from Black high school students (n = 2,233) who completed the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) from 2009-2019 in Broward County, Florida, were analyzed. Logistic and linear regression models examined trends in selected physical activity indicators. Results: There were no significant changes in recommended physical activity levels (p = .829), daily physical activity (p = .44), PE class attendance (p = .054), or the average number of days of PA engagement (p = .304) for this time period. However, there was a significant decline in daily PE class attendance, the average number of days of PE attendance, and excessive television watching (p < .001). There were also increases in excessive video gaming and computer usage (p = .002). Conclusion: Adolescents' physical activity behaviors have not declined substantially over the past decade. However, sedentary behaviors, such as computer use and video gaming, have markedly increased. Results presented here should assist in broadening the understanding of Black adolescents' views on weight and physical activity and developing local programs and interventions to promote regular physical activity aimed at this population.

Health literacy and adolescents' substance use behaviors and correlates: a scoping review.

From 2011 to 2023, substance use increased by 23% worldwide. Given that substance use initiation is highest during adolescence, it is crucial to identify amenable correlates of substance use prevention [e.g. health literacy (HL)], which, if embedded in interventions, may improve uptake and outcomes. Hence, this study conducted a scoping review to answer the question: What is known from the existing literature about the relationship between HL and substance use correlates and behaviors in adolescents? Five electronic databases and the bibliography of review articles were searched and a total of 1770 records were identified. After removing duplicates and engaging in three levels of screening to identify studies that included adolescents ≤ 25 years old and assessed the relationship between general HL (vs. behavior/disease-specific health knowledge) and substance use behaviors and correlates, 16 studies were retained. Studies assessed alcohol-related (n = 11), tobacco-related (n = 12), electronic vapor product use-related (n = 4), cannabis-related (n = 1), and amphetamines/methamphetamines-related (n = 1) outcomes. Studies spanned Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and Central America. Most studies included substance use as an outcome and found an inverse relationship between HL and use. Few studies examined substance use correlates (e.g. risk perception). There were no longitudinal or intervention studies. This review highlighted that the topic of adolescent HL and its relationship with substance use remains inadequately researched. Notable gaps for future studies include intervention and longitudinal designs, expansion of outcomes (e.g. more studies on marijuana, prescription drug misuse, vaping, substance use-related correlates), and examining HL as a mediator or moderator of substance use and its correlates.

Beliefs and Perceptions of Physical Activity Among Black Adolescents in South Florida: A Qualitative Study.

INTRODUCTION: In the United States, non-Hispanic Black adolescents have a significantly higher prevalence of obesity than their peers. Though physical activity (PA) has many benefits, many adolescents fail to engage in adequate amounts of PA. Black adolescents are also more sedentary than those from other races and ethnicities. This study aimed to describe the perceptions, beliefs, and barriers to PA in South Florida Black adolescents. METHODS: Five focus groups were conducted with self-identified non-Hispanic Black adolescents (n = 38) in South Florida. A semi-structured question guide based on the Theory of Planned Behavior was used for group discussions. The open-ended questions addressed adolescents' (1) attitudes and beliefs toward PA, (2) current PA-related behaviors, and (3) environmental, social, cultural, and racial influences on health behaviors. RESULTS: The desire to be healthy, thoughts of the future, and self-image were among the reasons participants engaged in PA. Engagement in PA was associated with a positive social environment, including encouragement from family and friends. Race, culture, and social media were also cited as influences on PA. Perceived control beliefs, such as parental pressures and self-discipline, also impacted PA. CONCLUSION: Adolescents recognize the importance of PA; however, their behaviors do not reflect this. Barriers and motivators for Black adolescents are multifaceted. It is critical for Public Health practitioners and local legislators to understand the complexities to serve this population. This study's findings can guide the development of tailored PA and education programs for Black adolescent populations.

Weight misperception and weight-related behaviors in non-Hispanic Black youth.

Current literature is conflicting regarding whether accurate weight perception encourages healthy weight-related behaviors. This study examined the prevalence of weight misperception and explored associations between weight misperception and weight-related behaviors among 353 Black adolescents in Broward County, Florida. Overall, 44.8% of participants misperceived their weight, with boys more often misperceiving their weight than girls (52.2% vs 40.2%). Students who misperceived their weight were more likely to try to lose weight but less likely to be adequately physically active. Adolescents who underestimated their weight were less likely to be physically active and excessively play video or computer games or use a computer. There was no association between weight misperception and daily physical education attendance or excessive television watching. Weight misperception appears to be a risk factor for obesity in adolescents, as weight misperception was associated with lower engagement in physical activity.

Lessons Learned From Contact Tracing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Public Health Students' Experiences in the Field.

Contact tracing is a cornerstone in public health practice, providing an effective response to infectious disease outbreaks. Beginning in April 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread quickly in the United States, public health departments increasingly relied on contact tracers to control disease spread and reduce the impact on the community. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) employed hundreds of public health students to pursue transmission control statewide as contact tracers. This study employed a qualitative thematic approach to capture 11 graduate-level public health students' experiences, motivations, challenges, and recommendations on contact tracing procedures as DOH contract tracers. In-depth interview questions focused on students' interest in public health, experiences as a contact tracer, patient/case interactions, and personal outlook on the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic brought new experiences and challenges for public health students employed by local health departments as contact tracers. Three categories and subthemes emerged from interviews: (1) motivations to work as a contact tracer, (2) challenges faced throughout employment, and (3) overall assessment of the contact tracing process. Identifying and understanding the work of contact tracers from the system-level perspective is vital as they contribute to improving training and working relationships with management and ultimately extend to the community. Lessons learned during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic should help inform public health practice, especially when considering recruitment, curricula, training, and retention of the public health workforce in the face of current and emerging public health emergencies.