Understanding Impediments and Enablers to Physical Activity among African American Adults: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

Objective: To systematically assess and summarize impediments and facilitating factors impacting physical activity participation among African American Adults. ^ Method: A systematic search of the literature was conducted, which included electronic databases, as well as reference list of relevant papers. Only qualitative studies which measured race and ethnicity and had African American as adult participants were included. The main themes and categories from the qualitative studies pertaining to impediments and facilitators to physical activity were identified and summarized, through descriptive meta-synthesis. ^ Result: Twenty nine qualitative studies were included. Twenty-one of the studies only focused on adult African American women, and the barriers and facilitators to physical activity as perceived by them. The biggest individual enabler towards physical activity was the positive health benefits associated with regular physical activity. Social support and easy access to parks and facilities were also identified as enablers. Barriers toward physical activity were lack of time, lack of motivation, long work hours, and physical disabilities. ^ Conclusions: The findings of this review study should be useful to those planning an intervention in African American communities. There is also a need for qualitative studies conducted only among African American men, to better understand their perspective on the facilitators and barriers to physical activity.^

Teacher support and encouragement in the classroom and its impact on childhood obesity

Objectives. Obesity is a growing problem in the United States among children. Great efforts are being made to target this problem, both at home and at school. While parents and peers have proven an effective means of distributing information, the well of the influence of teacher encouragement of health behaviors remains untapped. The purpose of this study is to assess the association of teacher encouragement with diet and physical activity behaviors and obesity in a sample of eighth grade students in central Texas. ^ Methods. In the spring of 2011, the Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) study distributed teacher surveys to each of the teachers in the schools on the grant. In addition to questions concerning the implementation of CATCH, this survey employed social support questions to gauge the prevalence of teacher encouragement of health behaviors in the classroom. During the same time frame, eighth graders in these same schools completed student surveys which assessed dietary and physical activity knowledge and behaviors and demographics and participated in objective measures of student height and weight. A cross-sectional secondary data analysis was conducted in order to compare self-reported teacher encouragement to student behaviors and several student obesity measures on a by school basis. ^ Results. 1150 teachers and 2582 students from 29 of the 30 measurement schools returned completed surveys. No statistically significant relationship was found between the six teacher encouragement measures and their corresponding student reported health behaviors, nor was one found the mean support per school and child percent overweight. A menial positive relationship was found between the mean support per school and child BMI z-scores, BMI, and percent obese (p = 0.035, 0.003 and 0.003, respectively); however, these relationships were not in the predicted direction. ^ Conclusion. While the findings of this investigation show primarily null results, motivating questions as to the impact to teacher encouragement on middle school student's health remain. It is possible that in order to draw more effective conclusions, more comprehensive studies are warranted which specifically target these relationships.^

Exploring the Benefits of a Parent Partner Mentoring Program in Child Welfare

Parent partner mentoring programs are an innovative strategy for child welfare agencies to engage families in case planning and service delivery. These programs recruit and train parents who have been involved in the system and have successfully resolved identified child abuse or neglect issues to work with families with current open cases in the child welfare system. Parent partner mentors can provide social and emotional support, advocacy, and practical advice for navigating this challenging system. Insofar as parent partners share similar experiences, and cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of families, they may be more successful in engaging families and building trusting supportive relationships. The current study presents qualitative data from interviews and case studies of families who were matched with a parent partner in a large county in a Midwestern state. Interviews with families, parent partner mentors, child welfare agency staff, and community partners and providers suggest that parent partner programs may be just as beneficial for parent partner mentors as they are for families being mentored. These programs can build professional skills, help improve self-esteem, provide an avenue for social support, and may potentially prevent recidivism. Parent Partner programs also provide a mechanism for amplifying family voice at all levels of the agency.

Use of empowerment evaluation to determine a sustainability plan for a community-based preconception care program

Women With IMPACT (WWI) is a community-based preconception care educational intervention. WWI is being implemented by the Impacting Maternal and Prenatal Care Together (IMPACT) Collaborative and targets zip codes in Harris County, Texas at high risk for infant mortality, low birthweight, and preterm birth. WWI started March 2012 and continues through August 2013. Three workshop series are planned. This study was conducted with participants and facilitators from the first workshop series. This study aimed to 1) evaluate the WWI program using empowerment evaluation, 2) engage all WWI stakeholders in an empowerment evaluation so the method could be adopted as a participatory evaluation process for future IMPACT activities, and 3) develop recommendations for sustainability of the WWI intervention, based on empowerment evaluation findings and results from the pre/post program evaluation completed by WWI participants. Study participants included WWI participants and facilitators and IMPACT Collaborative Steering Committee members. WWI participants were female, 18-35 year-old, non-pregnant residents of zip codes at high risk of adverse birth outcomes. All other study participants were 18 years or older. A two-phased empowerment evaluation (EE) was utilized in this study. Sessions 1-4 were conducted independently of one another – 3 with participants at different sites and one with the facilitators. The fifth session included WWI participant and facilitator representatives, and IMPACT Steering Committee members. Session 5 built upon the work of the other sessions. Observation notes were recorded during each session. Thematic content analysis was conducted on all EE tables and observation notes. Mission statements drafted by each group focused on improvement of physical and mental health through behavior change and empowerment of all participants. The top 5 overall program components were: physical activity, nutrition, self-worth, in-class communication, and stress. Goals for program improvement were set by EE participants for each of these components. Through thematic content analysis of the tables and observation notes, social support emerged as an important theme of the program among all participant groups. Change to a healthy lifestyle emerged as an important theme in terms of program improvement. Two-phased EE provided an opportunity for all program stakeholders to provide feedback regarding important program components and provide suggestions for program improvement. EE, thematic content analysis, pre/post evaluation results, and inherent program knowledge were triangulated to make recommendations to sustain the program once the initial funding ends. ^

Jóvenes y políticas públicas de terminalidad educativa : un estudio sobre capital social y estrategias de vida

Desde una perspectiva teórica centrada en el relacionismo, el presente artículo tiene como objetivo abordar las relaciones entre capital social y estrategias de vida. Específicamente, nos preguntamos por la construcción de redes sociales en el trabajo y en la educación y las formas de intervención en las estrategias de vida de jóvenes que se encuentran estudiando en el Plan FinEs2. Retomamos una perspectiva metodológica cualitativa y realizamos entrevistas en profundidad a jóvenes estudiantes y trabajadores de un barrio del Gran La Plata durante el periodo 2012-2013. Finalmente, sostenemos que la experiencia del Plan FinEs2 posibilita la construcción de nuevas redes sociales -colectivas e individuales desplegadas en las estrategias de vida que los jóvenes estudiantes desarrollan.

La feria de emprendedores de la economía social La Plata : 'Cuando la calle hace escuela'

La presente investigación se realiza sobre la política pública: la Feria de Emprendedores de la Economía Social de la ciudad de La Plata, implementada a través de la Dirección General de la Economía Social, durante el periodo 2011. En este trabajo se pretende analizar cuales son sus alcances, objetivos, metodología y describir cómo funciona. Pero especialmente, se centra en el curso de formación emprendedora que tuvo como objetivo que los artesanos adquieran las habilidades de la actividad comercial y de esta manera pasen de la actividad informal a la formal. Se realiza una evaluación final, que consiste en analizar la implementación de la misma, sus resultados y formular recomendaciones para ajustar la acción presente y mejorar la acción futura

Project development for older adults : Orientation's contribution

This paper systematizes the work developed during the first year of the initiation scholarship for the research project entitled 'Orientation within the new Active Aging Model: educational, work-related, personal and social choices (1)'. This project articulates the Active Aging Model and the Theoretical Operative Model in Orientation, in order to learn how new projects are developed by older adults who used to be part of the formal system of labor and by those who were out of it, and to design programmatic proposals for educational, work-related, personal and social Orientation choices for such population. The sample is made up by seventy people between 64 and 74 years of age, residing in La Plata. The first conclusions evidence the importance that older adults place on project development at this stage of their life cycle, giving special importance to educational, personal and social projects; as well as on the identification of economic factors, health state, family needs for care and social support, among other things, as conditioning the fulfillment of such projects. The differences found in terms of the labor system they used to belong to can be especially observed in the type of project developed.

La complejidad de un campo social periurbano centrado en la zonas rurales de La Plata

Se trata de dar un panorama general de las zonas rurales del periurbano con centro en el Municipio de La Plata, caracterizadas como un campo social rural periurbano, contextualizado en el "Gran Buenos Aires". Se hace una historia y caracterización territorial local atendiendo a los diversos procesos sociales involucrados y a los distintos actores sociales en juego. Se analizan particularmente las políticas regionales, el asociativismo y los cambios en las relaciones sociales interculturales y en las organizaciones locales que confluyen en la situación actual, que condicionan las circunstancias de un desarrollo local.

Elaboración de proyectos en adultos mayoresz : Aportes de la orientación

El presente trabajo sistematiza la labor desarrollada durante el primer año de la beca de iniciación del proyecto de investigación 'La Orientación en el nuevo modelo de envejecimiento activo: elecciones educativas, laborales, personales, sociales (1)'. Dicho proyecto articula el Modelo de Envejecimiento Activo y el Modelo Teórico Operativo en Orientación, con el propósito de conocer cómo elaboran los nuevos proyectos los adultos mayores que pertenecieron al sistema formal de trabajo y aquellos que permanecieron fuera de él, y diseñar propuestas programáticas de Orientación y elección educativa, laboral, personal y social destinadas a esta población. La muestra está conformada por sesenta personas de entre 64 y 74 años de edad, residentes en la Ciudad de La Plata. Las primeras conclusiones dan cuenta de la importancia que atribuyen los adultos mayores a la elaboración de proyectos en esta etapa del ciclo vital, prevaleciendo los proyectos educativos, personales y sociales; así como la identificación de factores económicos, condiciones de salud, demanda de cuidados de otros familiares y apoyo social, entre otros, como condicionantes para la concreción de dichos proyectos. Las diferencias encontradas con respecto al sistema de trabajo al que han pertenecido se observan principalmente en el tipo de proyecto elaborado

La feria de emprendedores de la economía social La Plata : 'Cuando la calle hace escuela'

La presente investigación se realiza sobre la política pública: la Feria de Emprendedores de la Economía Social de la ciudad de La Plata, implementada a través de la Dirección General de la Economía Social, durante el periodo 2011. En este trabajo se pretende analizar cuales son sus alcances, objetivos, metodología y describir cómo funciona. Pero especialmente, se centra en el curso de formación emprendedora que tuvo como objetivo que los artesanos adquieran las habilidades de la actividad comercial y de esta manera pasen de la actividad informal a la formal. Se realiza una evaluación final, que consiste en analizar la implementación de la misma, sus resultados y formular recomendaciones para ajustar la acción presente y mejorar la acción futura

Project development for older adults : Orientation's contribution

This paper systematizes the work developed during the first year of the initiation scholarship for the research project entitled 'Orientation within the new Active Aging Model: educational, work-related, personal and social choices (1)'. This project articulates the Active Aging Model and the Theoretical Operative Model in Orientation, in order to learn how new projects are developed by older adults who used to be part of the formal system of labor and by those who were out of it, and to design programmatic proposals for educational, work-related, personal and social Orientation choices for such population. The sample is made up by seventy people between 64 and 74 years of age, residing in La Plata. The first conclusions evidence the importance that older adults place on project development at this stage of their life cycle, giving special importance to educational, personal and social projects; as well as on the identification of economic factors, health state, family needs for care and social support, among other things, as conditioning the fulfillment of such projects. The differences found in terms of the labor system they used to belong to can be especially observed in the type of project developed.

La complejidad de un campo social periurbano centrado en la zonas rurales de La Plata

Se trata de dar un panorama general de las zonas rurales del periurbano con centro en el Municipio de La Plata, caracterizadas como un campo social rural periurbano, contextualizado en el "Gran Buenos Aires". Se hace una historia y caracterización territorial local atendiendo a los diversos procesos sociales involucrados y a los distintos actores sociales en juego. Se analizan particularmente las políticas regionales, el asociativismo y los cambios en las relaciones sociales interculturales y en las organizaciones locales que confluyen en la situación actual, que condicionan las circunstancias de un desarrollo local.

Elaboración de proyectos en adultos mayoresz : Aportes de la orientación

El presente trabajo sistematiza la labor desarrollada durante el primer año de la beca de iniciación del proyecto de investigación 'La Orientación en el nuevo modelo de envejecimiento activo: elecciones educativas, laborales, personales, sociales (1)'. Dicho proyecto articula el Modelo de Envejecimiento Activo y el Modelo Teórico Operativo en Orientación, con el propósito de conocer cómo elaboran los nuevos proyectos los adultos mayores que pertenecieron al sistema formal de trabajo y aquellos que permanecieron fuera de él, y diseñar propuestas programáticas de Orientación y elección educativa, laboral, personal y social destinadas a esta población. La muestra está conformada por sesenta personas de entre 64 y 74 años de edad, residentes en la Ciudad de La Plata. Las primeras conclusiones dan cuenta de la importancia que atribuyen los adultos mayores a la elaboración de proyectos en esta etapa del ciclo vital, prevaleciendo los proyectos educativos, personales y sociales; así como la identificación de factores económicos, condiciones de salud, demanda de cuidados de otros familiares y apoyo social, entre otros, como condicionantes para la concreción de dichos proyectos. Las diferencias encontradas con respecto al sistema de trabajo al que han pertenecido se observan principalmente en el tipo de proyecto elaborado

Project development for older adults : Orientation's contribution

This paper systematizes the work developed during the first year of the initiation scholarship for the research project entitled 'Orientation within the new Active Aging Model: educational, work-related, personal and social choices (1)'. This project articulates the Active Aging Model and the Theoretical Operative Model in Orientation, in order to learn how new projects are developed by older adults who used to be part of the formal system of labor and by those who were out of it, and to design programmatic proposals for educational, work-related, personal and social Orientation choices for such population. The sample is made up by seventy people between 64 and 74 years of age, residing in La Plata. The first conclusions evidence the importance that older adults place on project development at this stage of their life cycle, giving special importance to educational, personal and social projects; as well as on the identification of economic factors, health state, family needs for care and social support, among other things, as conditioning the fulfillment of such projects. The differences found in terms of the labor system they used to belong to can be especially observed in the type of project developed.

Elaboración de proyectos en adultos mayoresz : Aportes de la orientación

El presente trabajo sistematiza la labor desarrollada durante el primer año de la beca de iniciación del proyecto de investigación 'La Orientación en el nuevo modelo de envejecimiento activo: elecciones educativas, laborales, personales, sociales (1)'. Dicho proyecto articula el Modelo de Envejecimiento Activo y el Modelo Teórico Operativo en Orientación, con el propósito de conocer cómo elaboran los nuevos proyectos los adultos mayores que pertenecieron al sistema formal de trabajo y aquellos que permanecieron fuera de él, y diseñar propuestas programáticas de Orientación y elección educativa, laboral, personal y social destinadas a esta población. La muestra está conformada por sesenta personas de entre 64 y 74 años de edad, residentes en la Ciudad de La Plata. Las primeras conclusiones dan cuenta de la importancia que atribuyen los adultos mayores a la elaboración de proyectos en esta etapa del ciclo vital, prevaleciendo los proyectos educativos, personales y sociales; así como la identificación de factores económicos, condiciones de salud, demanda de cuidados de otros familiares y apoyo social, entre otros, como condicionantes para la concreción de dichos proyectos. Las diferencias encontradas con respecto al sistema de trabajo al que han pertenecido se observan principalmente en el tipo de proyecto elaborado