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Biomedical subjects

Grant Schofield

Publications and source records attributed to Grant Schofield.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Step count recommendations for children based on body fat.

OBJECTIVE: Current recommendations for pedometer-determined physical activity in children (boys, 15,000 steps/day; girls, 12,000 steps/day) were based on the association between weekday step counts and body mass index. The objective of this study was to develop new targets using both weekday and weekend step counts with percentage body fat (%BF) as the criterion reference. METHOD: The %BF of 969 New Zealand European, Polynesian, and Asian children (515 male, 454 female) aged 5-12 years was measured in 2004 using hand-to-foot bioelectrical impedance analysis. Weekday and weekend step counts, assessed using sealed multi-day-memory pedometers over 5 days, were combined into a scaled mean step count. The contrasting groups method for determining criterion-referenced cut-off points was used to establish the optimal step count values for predicting overweight (%BF>85th percentile) and non-overweight (%BF<85th percentile). RESULTS: Overweight children had significantly lower mean step counts (14,238+/-3343, boys; 12,555+/-3169, girls) than non-overweight children (16,106+/-3208, boys; 14,176+/-2728, girls). Optimal step count cut-off points were 16,000 steps/day for boys and 13,000 steps/day for girls. CONCLUSION: Step count targets for reducing the risk of excess body fat in children are 1000 steps/day higher than existing BMI-referenced guidelines.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2006

Dissemination of a community-based physical activity project: the case of 10,000 steps.

This paper describes the use of a web-site for the dissemination of the community-based '10,000 steps' program which was originally developed and evaluated in Rockhampton, Queensland in 2001-2003. The website provides information and interactive activities for individuals, and promotes resources and programs for health promotion professionals. The dissemination activity was assessed in terms of program adoption and implementation. In a 2-year period (May 2004-March 2006) more than 18,000 people registered as users of the web-site (logging more than 8.5 billion steps) and almost 100 workplaces and 13 communities implemented aspects of the 10,000 steps program. These data support the use of the internet as an effective means of disseminating ideas and resources beyond the geographical borders of the original project. Following this preliminary dissemination, there remains a need for the systematic study of different dissemination strategies, so that evidence-based physical activity programs can be translated into more widespread public health practice.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Physical activity: what do high school students think?

PURPOSE: To explore the views high school students have about various physical activity contexts and their ideas of potential physical activity promoting strategies. METHODS: Forty-four students from New Zealand high schools with a low decile rating participated in one of nine focus groups. All groups were separated by gender and ethnicity (Maori, New Zealand European). A standardized semi-structured schedule that included key questions and prompts was used. Thematic induction of the raw data was conducted using the long table approach. RESULTS: Perceived benefits of physical activity participation centered on fun, achievement, and physical-related factors. Key barriers to physical activity engagement included lack of peer social support and low accessibility to, and availability of, physical activity opportunities. The structure of physical education (PE) classes was a barrier noted by females. Distance was consistently articulated as a barrier to commuting actively to school. Reflective of the barriers raised by participants, self-identified strategies to promote physical activity participation included environmental modifications such as (1) increasing social support from peers, (2) improving availability of, and accessibility to, activities at school and in their neighborhood, (3) providing organized activities at school, and (4) restructuring physical education classes. CONCLUSION: In line with the current understandings of barriers to physical activity participation, youth perceptions were focused toward environmental factors, both social and physical, thereby supporting further development of environment-focused interventions. The potential of the peer, school, neighborhood, and home strategies reported in our study need to be considered in future initiatives targeting youth physical activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Perceptions of replacing car journeys with non-motorized travel: exploring relationships in a cross-sectional adult population sample.

OBJECTIVE: Transport-related physical activity (TPA) has dramatically declined in the last 50 years. The purpose of this study is to establish the relationship between sociodemographics, overall physical activity levels, and TPA travel mode (walking and cycling), with the perception of replacing car journeys by means of non-motorized travel. METHODS: A nationally representative sample mail out survey (n=7,894) identified physical activity levels, perceptions of using non-motorized transport modes, and sociodemographics for a New Zealand adult sample. RESULTS: Overall, 21% of respondents strongly agreed that they could replace car journeys with TPA on at least 2 days per week. Respondents who reported higher activity levels were more likely to strongly agree with replacing car journeys than sedentary respondents. Personal income and education level were negatively associated with recognition of replacing car journeys. Respondents who recognized they could replace car journeys reported the highest prevalence for considering walking or cycling short distances. CONCLUSION: Only a small percentage of people perceive they can replace car journeys with TPA. Current physical activity levels and socioeconomic status variables are associated with perceptions of replacing car journeys with TPA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Physical activity advice in the primary care setting: results of a population study in New Zealand.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of physical activity advice, including the Green Prescription (a physical activity scripting scheme), given in the primary care setting, and the characteristics of New Zealanders who receive such advice. METHOD: Questions from a 2003 national postal survey (n = 8,291), 'Obstacles to Action', were examined. The survey was designed to identify population segments to target for physical activity interventions. Binary logistic regression was used to examine independent factors associated with receiving a physician or practice nurse recommendation to increase physical activity and receiving a Green Prescription. RESULTS: Overall, 13.3% of the sample reported receiving physical activity advice while 3.0% reported receiving a Green Prescription from their general practitioner or practice nurse in the last year. Those more likely to receive physical activity advice were Maori or Pacific, overweight or obese, sedentary, or suffering chronic disease. Results were similar for Green Prescription advice. When controlling for these and other demographics, physical inactivity was not related to the odds of receiving a Green Prescription. CONCLUSIONS: One out of every eight New Zealanders reported being given general physical activity advice in the primary care setting. While the physically inactive but otherwise healthy were not specifically targeted, the Green Prescription was more likely to be given on the basis of existing chronic conditions related to physical inactivity and other high-risk populations. IMPLICATIONS: Primary care settings provide an important opportunity to promote physical activity for New Zealand adults. While those most at risk are more likely to receive such advice, there are many more that may benefit.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

An integrated curriculum approach to increasing habitual physical activity in children: a feasibility study.

A relatively new concept is that of "integrating" physical activity throughout the school curriculum, thereby teaching children about lifestyle physical activity in a variety of contexts. One method by which this may be achieved is by utilizing pedometers as a motivational and educational tool for measuring accumulated physical activity. No research is available that shows in-depth integration of physical activity into the curriculum or that investigates the efficacy of pedometer use for this purpose. The purposes of this study were to (1) design and implement a 4-week elementary school curriculum unit, based around pedometer walking and (2) quantify, using pedometry, the physical activity levels of children (N = 78) prior to, and during, the unit implementation. Results showed that more than one half of the participants were achieving >15,000 steps daily, and children were significantly more active on weekdays than weekends (p = .0001). Boys were more active than girls at baseline (p = .01) and during intervention weekdays (p = .03). Differences between baseline and intervention weekdays were nonsignificant for the complete sample; however, significant increases in step counts were observed when the children with low activity levels, especially females, were examined separately. Overall, the integration of physical activity using pedometer-based activities is feasible. However, any increases in activity may be restricted to children who are least active.

Child↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of sports nutrition knowledge of New Zealand premier club rugby coaches.

Little is known about if and how team coaches disseminate nutrition information to athletes. In a census survey, New Zealand premier rugby coaches (n = 168) completed a psychometrically validated questionnaire, received by either Internet or standard mail (response rate, 46%), identifying their nutrition advice dissemination practices to players, their level of nutrition knowledge, and the factors determining this level of knowledge. The majority of coaches provided advice to their players (83.8%). Coaches responded correctly to 55.6% of all knowledge questions. An independent t-test showed coaches who imparted nutrition advice obtained a significantly greater score, 56.8%, than those not imparting advice, 48.4% (P = 0.008). One-way ANOVA showed significant relationships between total knowledge score of all coaches and qualifications [F(1,166) = 5.28, P = 0.001], own knowledge rating [F(3,164) = 6.88, P = 0.001] and nutrition training [F(1,166) = 9.83, P = 0.002]. We conclude that these rugby coaches were inadequately prepared to impart nutrition advice to athletes and could benefit from further nutrition training.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2006

Pedometer-determined physical activity and body composition in New Zealand children.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to examine current levels of pedometer-determined physical activity in a multiethnic sample of New Zealand children and to investigate associations among weekday and weekend step counts, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and percentage body fat (%BF). METHODS: A total of 1115 children (536 boys, 579 girls) aged 5-12 yr wore sealed multiday memory pedometers for three weekdays and two weekend days. The ethnic composition of the sample was 49.2% European, 30.0% Polynesian, and 16.5% Asian, with 4.3% from other ethnicities. BMI was determined from height and weight, and %BF was measured using hand-to-foot bioelectrical impedance analysis. Participants were classified as normal weight, overweight, or obese using international BMI cutoff points (4), and into normal or central fat distribution groups using national WC standards (28). The 90th percentile of %BF for each age and sex subgroup was used to identify normal and high body fatness. RESULTS: Mean step counts for this sample were 16,133 +/- 3,864 (boys) and 14,124 +/- 3,286 (girls) on weekdays, and 12,702 +/- 5,048 (boys) and 11,158 +/- 4,309 (girls) on weekends. Significant differences in step counts were observed between weekdays and weekends, boys and girls, and among age, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Analysis of variance revealed stronger associations between step counts and %BF category than between step counts and BMI or WC groups. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of a link between daily step counts and body fatness in children. Our results also suggest that the promotion of physical activity during the weekend is a key priority for young New Zealanders.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2005

Understanding the relationship between town size and physical activity levels: a population study.

Little is known about the relationship between town size and physical activity levels. A representative population sample survey was used to identify activity and environmental barrier differences between residents in diverse town sizes (n=7916). Binary logistic regression analysis identified residents in large cities (>100,000 people) were 15% less likely to be sedentary for overall activity classifications in comparison to small town dwellers (<1000 people) (OR=0.85; 95%Cl=0.74-0.99). Barriers to physical activity participation differed by town size; smaller town residents reported a higher prevalence of infrastructural barriers, whereas larger city residents cited personal constraints. Community physical activity interventions should address issues associated with town size.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Dog ownership and human health-related physical activity: an epidemiological study.

ISSUES ADDRESSED: The presence of a household dog may be of benefit to the health of the owners. One reason may be because of increased physical activity through regular dog walking. We sought to build on existing dog walking research with more detailed examination of the characteristics of both dogs and owners in relation to the owners' physical activity. METHODS: A population-based sample (n=1,237) of residents in central Queensland, Australia, were interviewed by computer-aided telephone interview to collect dog-related and physical activity data. RESULTS: Results showed that the simple presence of a household dog displayed no relationship to the acquisition of sufficient levels of physical activity in the overall population. This finding was mediated, in terms of recreational walking, by dog size, with respondents in households with medium or large dogs displaying significantly more minutes of recreational walking per week than those with small dogs, or no dog at all. In addition, respondents who were involved in walking their household's dog were more likely to meet established physical activity guidelines than those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Dog ownership appears to offer the promise of affecting physical activity, but more work needs to be done to determine the contribution of ownership, dog type, and dog-walking frequency with regard to achieving health-related, physical activity guidelines.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Trust levels of physical activity information sources: a population study.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: To examine levels of trust for various sources of physical activity information. METHODS: Questions from a 2003 nationally representative survey (n=8,291), Obstacles to Action, relating to how much respondents would trust various sources of physical activity information, were examined. RESULTS: The most trusted source of physical activity information was the general practitioner (GP) and the least trusted source was the Internet. High levels of trust were also found for health organisations, dietitians and nurses, while low levels of trust were also found for television, radio, and print media. CONCLUSION: The primary care setting continues to be the most trusted source of physical activity information. Those more likely to trust their physician were older adults, those with chronic disease, and the insufficiently active.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Effects of a controlled pedometer-intervention trial for low-active adolescent girls.

PURPOSE: This intervention compares the effectiveness of daily step count targets with time-based prescription for increasing the health-related physical activity of low-active adolescent girls. METHODS: We assigned participants (N = 85, mean age 15.8 +/- 0.8 yr) depending on school attended to a control (CON), pedometer (PED), or minutes (MIN) group. The intervention groups were involved in a 12-wk physical activity self-monitoring and educative program. The only difference between the intervention groups was that the PED group set daily step count targets whereas the MIN group set daily time-based goals for physical activity involvement. Pre-, mid-, and postintervention changes in physical activity (4-d blinded step count and 3-d physical activity recall) and body mass index (BMI) were assessed using a series of 3 (group assignment) x 3 (time) ANOVA. Where significant interactions were found, separate follow-up simple main effects tests were used. RESULTS: At postintervention, only the PED group had significantly increased their total activity as measured by a 4-d step count, when compared with the control (P = 0.03, ES = 0.13). The group, time, and interaction effects for 4-d step count were significant, indicating that although both the participants in the PED and the MIN groups significantly increased their step count across the 12-wk intervention (P = 0.00-0.01), the participants in the PED group had a greater increase at the midintervention time point (P = 0.04, ES = 0.10). No pre-, mid-, or postintervention changes were reported in any group for BMI (F = 1.18, P = 0.32). CONCLUSION: The use of pedometers and daily step count targets with low-active adolescent girls may result in short-term (6 wk) enhanced physical activity related outcomes when compared with traditional time-based physical activity prescriptions. However, both interventions appear to result in similar improvements in physical activity when duration of the observation is extended to 12 wk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Adolescent obesity and physical inactivity.

Globally, obesity and physical inactivity are two health issues affecting young people. In New Zealand, the most current statistics indicate that 33.6% of 11 to 14 year olds, and 27% of 15 to 18 year olds, are considered overweight or obese.1,2 Despite these high prevalence levels, only 38% of young people aged 13 to 17 years in New Zealand are considered physically inactive.3 Future effort needs to be directed towards enhancing the existing national surveys to ensure a comprehensive and valid surveillance system of adolescent obesity and inactivity is conducted on a regular basis. This would involve the development of age, sex, and ethnic specific body mass index cut-off thresholds to define overweight and obesity, validation of an adolescent questionnaire that examines physical activity from a broad perspective, and development of physical activity recommendations for youth based on international best practice. Although the main focus of this paper is on obesity and physical inactivity, diet is also a key determinant of obesity. Therefore, to provide an accurate assessment of factors associated with youth obesity in New Zealand, surveillance of diet must occur concurrently with that of obesity and physical activity. The development of accurate measurement tools is critical for (1) determining obesity and inactivity trends, (2) identifying at-risk groups, (3) tracking progress toward national health priorities, and (4) evaluating the efficacy of interventions targeting obesity and physical inactivity. Furthermore, attention needs to be directed towards identifying correlates of inactivity and obesity to help inform the development of comprehensive multisectorial, multisetting, prevention, and management initiatives.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Ethnicity and body fatness in New Zealanders.

In light of alarming rises in the prevalence of obesity worldwide, tackling the obesity 'epidemic' is now a national health priority in many countries. Increasingly, population measures that provide accurate estimates of body fatness are required to assist public health organisations in identifying at-risk groups and developing appropriate preventative strategies. Body mass index (BMI) remains the most cost-effective and practical tool in this regard. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued universal BMI standards for defining 'overweight' and 'obesity' in adults (BMI > or =25 kg x m(-2), and > or =30 kg x m(-2), respectively) based on the risk of obesity-related disease in Europeans. Although widely used, there is mounting evidence suggesting that these standards are not appropriate for all populations. Research indicates that the associations between BMI, percent body fat (%BF), and health risks can vary across different ethnicities. Accordingly, ethnic-specific and country-specific BMI cut-offs for overweight and obesity may be necessary to attain valid prevalence estimates. In New Zealand, this area is largely unexplored in both young people and Asian populations. There is a need for large-scale longitudinal studies investigating the relationships between excessive body fatness and related health outcomes across all major ethnic groups in New Zealand.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Factor analysis of barriers to treatment for problem gambling.

Attitudes toward problem gambling treatment were investigated in a telephone survey of 1,203 persons in Central Queensland Australia (598 women and 605 men, mean age = 45.8 years). Survey items were compiled from existing substance abuse questionnaires (Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Addictions, 1995; Sobell et al., 1991). An exploratory factor analysis identified five potential barriers to treatment, including: availability, stigma, cost, uncertainty, and avoidance. Relative to those with few problems, respondents who had numerous gambling problems were more concerned about treatment costs, and the availability and effectiveness of treatment. In addition to the above concerns, older persons more often negatively judged the treatment seeker. In contrast, educated respondents had generally more positive attitudes towards problem gamblers and treatment seeking.

Australia↗
PubMed2004

Epidemiological study of gambling in the non-metropolitan region of central Queensland.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the research was to provide a contemporary description of the gambling behaviours of people in Central Queensland. DESIGN: The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), a clinical diagnostic tool for identifying problem and pathological gamblers was utilised. SETTING: Central Queensland extends from Bundaberg to Mackay and west to the Queensland-Northern Territory border. The region incorporates a number of rural and regional centres and the major centres of Rockhampton, Gladstone, Mackay and Bundaberg. SUBJECTS: Computer-aided telephone interviews were conducted with a random sample of 1029 adults. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: a comparison of CQ gambling rates with national averages. RESULTS: Over 90% of the population had engaged in some form of gambling activity in the past month. One point eight percent of the sample fulfilled criteria for 'problem gambling'. The prevalence of 'probable pathological gambling', was 0.8%. An additional 1% of the population were identified as being 'problem gamblers'. These rates are slightly lower than the Australian average identified by the Productivity Commission in 1999. Nonetheless, they indicate the presence of a large number of individuals affected by problem gambling. CONCLUSIONS: Comparisons of these data with treatment statistics available from the regional counselling service for problem gamblers indicate that the majority of these gamblers do not seek treatment. It is clear that many gamblers with serious pathology go undetected and untreated. General practitioners are suggested as one appropriate point for screening and further referral. A whole-of-government approach to problem and pathological gambling is also advocated.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Physical activity dose-response effects on mental health status in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the dose-response relationship between physical activity and mental health, comparing two recommended levels of physical activity involvement. The two current physical activity recommendations used to study the dose-response relationships in a sample of older adults were 150 minutes per week and 420 minutes per week. METHOD: Data were collected on a sample (n=337) of independent living older adults ranging from 55 to 89 years of age (mean age 65.2 years) using a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey. Activity status was assessed using the Active Australia questionnaire, whereas health status was assessed using the SF-12 health survey questionnaire. RESULTS: Participants classed as moderately active (150-420 minutes per week) and highly active (>420 minutes per week) displayed significantly higher mental health status than those who were classified as inactive (<150 minutes per week) when controlling for physical health status. Further analysis failed to reveal any significant difference in mental health status between moderately and highly active participants. CONCLUSION: When controlling for the variability in mental health status relating to physical health, individuals meeting current guidelines of 150 minutes of physical activity per week displayed higher mental health than those who did not. Increased levels of activity showed no reliable increase in health status. IMPLICATIONS: The benefits of moderate levels of physical activity were supported for older adults. In terms of mental health, recent recommendations for increased amounts of daily activity were not supported.

Aged↗