The impact of a temporary recurrent street closure on physical activity in New York City.

At least 70 US cities have now introduced ciclovías-large-scale street closures to promote physical activity-joining numerous other cities worldwide that have implemented ciclovías in efforts to improve population health. We assessed the impact of Summer Streets, a New York City program in which 6.9 contiguous miles of urban streets were closed to traffic and opened for walking, cycling, and group activities, such as dancing and yoga, on population physical activity levels. Screen line counts were used to estimate attendance, and a street intercept survey was conducted to assess demographic characteristics of participants, baseline adherence to physical activity recommendations, and type and duration of physical activity at Summer Streets. In addition, a traffic study was used to determine if there were vehicular traffic delays as a result of the program. About 50,000 people participated in Summer Streets; among participating New Yorkers, bicyclists averaged 6.7 miles, runners 4.3 miles, and walkers 3.6 miles, equivalent to 72-86 min of moderate physical activity. Among New Yorkers attending Summer Streets, 24 % reported that they did not routinely engage in moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity. These non-routine exercisers engaged in the equivalent of 26-68 min of moderate-intensity physical activity at Summer Streets. Summer Streets served as an enticement for New Yorkers, including those who did not ordinarily meet physical activity recommendations, to engage in physical activity. There were no significant vehicular traffic delays during the program.

Promoting routine stair use: evaluating the impact of a stair prompt across buildings.

BACKGROUND: Although studies have demonstrated that stair prompts are associated with increased physical activity, many were conducted in low-rise buildings over a period of weeks and did not differentiate between stair climbing and descent. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the impact of a prompt across different building types, and on stair climbing versus descent over several months. METHODS: In 2008-2009, stair and elevator trips were observed and analyzed at three buildings in New York City before and after the posting of a prompt stating "Burn Calories, Not Electricity" (total observations=18,462). Sites included a three-story health clinic (observations=4987); an eight-story academic building (observations=5151); and a ten-story affordable housing site (observations=8324). Stair and elevator trips up and down were recorded separately at the health clinic to isolate the impact on climbing and descent. Follow-up was conducted at the health clinic and affordable housing site to assess long-term impact. RESULTS: Increased stair use was seen at all sites immediately after posting of the prompt (range=9.2%-34.7% relative increase, p<0.001). Relative increases in stair climbing (20.2% increase, p<0.001) and descent (4.4% increase, p<0.05) were seen at the health clinic. At both sites with long-term follow-up, relative increases were maintained at 9 months after posting compared to baseline: 42.7% (p<0.001) increase in stair use at the affordable housing site and 20.3% (p<0.001) increase in stair climbing at the health clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that the prompt was effective in increasing physical activity in diverse settings, and increases were maintained at 9 months.

Reach-out: a family-based diabetes prevention program for African American youth.

OBJECTIVE: To pilot test and assess the feasibility of a culturally grounded approach to adolescent overweight and diabetes prevention. STUDY DESIGN: Reach-Out, a family-based nutrition and exercise program for overweight African American youth aged 9 to 12 years and their families, is led by lay health leaders and conducted in a community setting on Chicago's south side (Illinois). Age-appropriate interactive sessions focus on skills building, problem solving, and setting goals during 14 weekly sessions, with monthly meetings thereafter. Pre-post comparisons were made for 29 families (62 subjects) using physical (body mass index [BMI], blood pressure, waist circumference), biochemical (glucose, insulin, lipid levels) and behavioral data. Statistical analyses included mixed-effects linear models and logistic regression. RESULTS: Children's mean BMI z score fell from 2.46 at baseline to 2.38 at 14 weeks and 2.39 at 1 year (p=.02), while parents' BMI remained stable. Children reported increased walking (p=0.07) and exhibited a corresponding rise in mean serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol from 49.4 to 54.2 (p<.001). Qualitative assessment showed that participants enjoyed the program but felt the program could be improved by making the sessions even more interactive. CONCLUSION: A community-based program for overweight minority youth and families can successfully address overweight, with the potential to decrease diabetes risk in youth.