University Student Health and Wellbeing Study: A test-retest reliability study of a web-based survey investigating undergraduate student health and wellbeing.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Understanding the health behaviours of Australian university students and their impact on wellbeing and academic success is important; however, there are limited reliable, population level survey tools to measure student health across a range of domains. The purpose of the research was to determine the reliability of the web-based University Student Health and Wellbeing Study (USHWS) survey via a test-retest reliability study within a large Australian university student population. METHODS: A test-retest of the measurement instrument was completed by a sample of university students (n = 195) over a two-week period. The instrument assessed alcohol and tobacco use, mental health, sexual health, physical activity, nutrition and sun protective behaviours. Test-retest reliability was analysed using two-way random effects model of intraclass correlations (ICC) and AC1 coefficient for individual measurements with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: Questions on demographics, general health, nutrition, sun protection, alcohol and tobacco use, mental health and sexual health had fair to high reliability (ICCs range from 0.32 to 1.00). Reliability of some physical activity items were poor with large variability (ICC = 0.15, 95% CI 0.01-0.28 to 0.86, 95% CI 0.82-0.89). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of the USHWS survey items represented a moderate to high test-retest reliability. Variability and poor reliability of physical activity questions may be due to survey implementation time and usual behaviour changes. SO WHAT?: The USHWS survey is reliable instrument to assess Australian university student health at a population level with the aim of informing effective programming, policy and initiatives. SUMMARY: The University Student Health and Wellbeing Study (USHWS) survey is a foundational tool to understand university student's health in Australia. The USHWS reported fair to high reliability with few physical activity items showing lower reliability. Greater variability may be due to usual day-to-day fluctuations in behaviour.

Workplace building design and office-based workers' activity: a study of a natural experiment.

OBJECTIVE: This opportunistic natural study investigated the effects of relocation of office workers from a 30-year-old building to a new purpose-built building. The new building included an attractive central staircase that was easily accessed and negotiated, as well as breakout spaces and a centralised facilities area. The researchers aimed to determine the impact of the purpose-built office building on the office workers' sedentariness and level of physical activity. METHOD: In 2013, a natural pre-post study was undertaken with office-based workers in their old conventional 1970s building and on relocating to a new purpose-built 'activity permissive' building. Objective movement data was measured using accelerometers. Anthropometric and demographic data was also collected. RESULTS: Forty-two office-based workers significantly decreased their percentage of daily sitting time (T1 = 84.9% to T2=79.7%; p<0.001) and increased their percentage of daily standing time (T1=11.2% to T2 17.0%; p<0.001) in the new building. Moderate activity significantly declined (T1=3.9% to 3.2%=T2; p=0.038). There was a significant decrease in mean minutes of sitting time (19.62 minutes; p<0.001) and increase in standing time (22.03 minutes; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The design of a building can influence activity. This opportunistic study on the impact of workplace relocation on office-based workers' activity showed modest positive outcomes in sitting and standing. Evidence is required to inform building design policy and practice that supports physical activity and reduces levels of sedentariness in the workplace.

Physical Activity and Nutrition Program for Seniors (PANS): process evaluation.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: The Physical Activity and Nutrition Program for Seniors (PANS) program aimed to increase levels of physical activity and improve the diet of insufficiently active community-based seniors aged 60 to 70 years using a range of strategies. Comprehensive process evaluation was used to determine the suitability and appropriateness of the resources and effectiveness of the strategies. METHOD: Process evaluation data (qualitative and quantitative) were collected on the program strategies and resources throughout, and at the conclusion of the intervention period. RESULTS: The program strategies/resources were found to be relevant to the population, assisting participants to increase their level of physical activity and improve their diet. Participants reported that the program resources were suitable for their age-group (84%), encouraged them to think about physical activity (78%), and nutrition (70%). Participants reported that they used the pedometer (91%) and recorded daily steps (78%). Moreover, the provision of group guides facilitated individuals to set and achieve personal goals. CONCLUSION: The PANS strategies and resources were appropriate, which supported the seniors in identifying, establishing, and achieving their physical activity and nutrition goals. Minor refinements of the program were recommended based on the findings.

The effectiveness of a walking booster program for seniors.

PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of a 3-month home-based booster program for seniors to increase walking. DESIGN: A longitudinal prospective study. SETTING: Perth, Western Australia. SUBJECTS: Of the 177 (of 260) program participants and 236 (of 313) controls who initially completed the neighborhood walking intervention, 114 (64%) and 134 (57%) were available for the booster, and 100 and 131 participants completed the entire program, respectively. INTERVENTION: A 6-month neighborhood walking intervention was followed 12 months later by a 3-month home-based booster program comprised of print-based materials, a pedometer, and two motivational phone calls. MEASURES: A self-reported questionnaire was administered at four time points: original intervention, baseline (t1) and 6 months (t2); booster, 18 months (t3) and 21 months (t4). Physical activity levels were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Personal and demographic information was collected. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics and repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: The intervention group's mean time spent walking for recreation and mean time spent walking for errands per week showed significant increases between t1 and t2, but the weekly mean time walking for recreation dropped by 52 minutes from t2 to t3. Significant increases were evident from t3 to t4 as a result of the booster. Walking levels for the control group remained stable over the study period. CONCLUSION: Physical activity levels of seniors revert once an intervention concludes. A home-based booster program can reactivate physical activity levels. Hence, program planners should include booster sessions for program sustainability.

The effectiveness of a physical activity intervention for seniors.

PURPOSE: To determine whether a tailored, 6-month, neighborhood-based, physical activity intervention for people aged 65 to 74 years could increase their total physical activity levels and to identify factors associated with physical activity times. DESIGN: A longitudinal, prospective, intervention study. SETTING: Perth, Western Australia. SUBJECTS: A total of 573 older adults, recruited from 30 intervention (n = 260) and 30 control (n = 313) neighborhoods. Initial response rates were 74% (260/352) in the intervention group and 82% (313/382) in the control group, which provided the 573 adults for participation in the study. A total of 413 participants (177 and 236 in the intervention and control groups, respectively) completed the program. INTERVENTION: A neighborhood-based physical activity intervention. MEASURES: A self-reported questionnaire administered at three time points. Physical activity levels were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Personal and demographic information, including perceived financial struggle and proximity to friends, were collected. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics, repeated measures analysis of variance, and generalized estimating equations (GEE). RESULTS: The intervention resulted in a significant increase in total average physical activity times of 2.25 hours per week (p < .001). The GEE analysis confirmed significant increases in physical activity from baseline to midpoint (p = .002) and topostintervention (p = .031). Perception of financial struggle (p = .020) was positively associated with physical activity time spent by participants, whereas having no friends or acquaintances living nearby (p = .037) had a significant negative correlation. The main limitation of this study was the restricted duration of the intervention. CONCLUSION: The program was successful in increasing weekly mean time for physical activity in seniors and in identifying factors that affect their commitment to physical activities.

A physical activity program to mobilize older people: a practical and sustainable approach.

PURPOSE: Despite the documented benefits of physical activity, it remains difficult to motivate older adults to start and maintain regular physical activity. This study tested an innovative intervention for mobilizing older adults into a neighborhood-based walking program. DESIGN AND METHODS: Researchers recruited a total of 260 healthy but insufficiently active adults aged 65 to 74 years and randomly selected from the Australian electoral roll from 30 Perth metropolitan neighborhoods. Social cognitive theory guided the design of the program. Researchers collected both qualitative and quantitative data to inform the development, together with ongoing process evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 65% of participants completed the program. Their mean weekly walking time for recreation increased by about 100 min, and 80% of participants reported that they would continue to walk twice per week upon program completion. IMPLICATIONS: This practical program is potentially effective and sustainable with respect to mobilizing physically inactive older people.