Six-Month Outcomes of a Theory- and Technology-Enhanced Physical Activity Intervention for Latina Women (Pasos Hacia La Salud II): Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: More than half (55%) of Latina women do not meet aerobic physical activity (PA) guidelines, and frequently cite time, childcare, and transportation as barriers to PA. In addition to linguistic adaptations for this population, successful PA interventions for Latina women addressed these barriers through remote intervention delivery approaches (eg, mail, phone, or web delivery).

Objective: We aimed to evaluate 6-month outcomes of a randomized trial comparing a Spanish-language, individually tailored, web-delivered PA intervention (original) to an enhanced version with text messages and additional features (enhanced).

Pasos Hacia La Salud II: A Superiority RCT Utilizing Technology to Promote Physical Activity in Latinas.

Introduction: Latinas face an increased risk for chronic diseases associated with insufficient physical activity (PA). The researchers previously showed that a website-based intervention could increase PA among insufficiently active Latinas, yet rates of meeting national PA guidelines were low. The original intervention was enhanced by adding additional features, content, and points of contact, including via text messaging.

Availability of Recreation Facilities and Parks In Relation to Adolescent Participation in Organized Sports and Activity Programs.

Most adolescents do not meet physical activity guidelines, so understanding facilitators and barriers is important. This study used surveys and geocoded location data to examine associations of availability of parks and recreation facilities with adolescent-reported participation in organized team sports and physical activity classes. The study was conducted with 928 adolescents aged 12-17 years, plus one parent/caretaker, recruited from two regions of the US.

Pasos Hacia La Salud II: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of a theory- and technology-enhanced physical activity intervention for Latina women, compared to the original intervention.

Background: Latinas are at increased risk for many lifestyle-related chronic diseases and are one of the least physically active populations in the US Innovative strategies are needed to help Latinas achieve the health benefits associated with physical activity (PA). This manuscript describes the study protocol of the Pasos Hacia La Salud II Study, which builds upon our previous research to test an enhanced individually-tailored, text-message and website-delivered, Spanish-language intervention (enhanced intervention), in comparison to the original web-based Pasos Hacia La Salud Intervention (original intervention).

Methods: Sedentary Latinas between the ages of 18-65 will be recruited and will complete an orientation and baseline assessments.

Density and Fat Fraction of the Psoas, Paraspinal, and Oblique Muscle Groups Are Associated With Lumbar Vertebral Bone Mineral Density in a Multi-Ethnic Community-Living Population: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Low vertebral bone mass is a major risk factor for vertebral compression fractures. Although sarcopenia has been shown to be associated with low bone mineral density (BMD), it is not known whether trunk musculature is directly associated with lumbar BMD, and whether exercise modifies this association. Using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), we sought to determine the association of muscle density and fat fraction of the psoas, paraspinal, and oblique muscle groups with L lumbar volumetric BMD, and whether these associations were modified by exercise.

Social Mobile Approaches to Reducing Weight (SMART) 2.0: protocol of a randomized controlled trial among young adults in university settings.

Background: Excess weight gain in young adulthood is associated with future weight gain and increased risk of chronic disease. Although multimodal, technology-based weight-loss interventions have the potential to promote weight loss among young adults, many interventions have limited personalization, and few have been deployed and evaluated for longer than a year. We aim to assess the effects of a highly personalized, 2-year intervention that uses popular mobile and social technologies to promote weight loss among young adults.

Long-term physical activity outcomes in the Seamos Activas II trial.

Latinas report disproportionately low physical activity (PA) levels and related health conditions. Reducing chronic disease in Latinas requires interventions to increase and maintain health-enhancing PA levels; yet limited intervention studies have examined PA maintenance among Latinas. The present study evaluated the efficacy during the maintenance phase (months 6-12) of the Enhanced PA intervention for Latina adults in Seamos Activas II compared to the Original PA Intervention.

Association of abdominal muscle area and density with glucose regulation: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis (MESA).

Aims: Previous characterisation of body composition as a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk factor has largely focused on adiposity, but less is known about the independent role of skeletal muscle. We examined associations between abdominal muscle and measures of glucose regulation.

Materials And Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 1,891 adults enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Randomized Trial of a Physical Activity Intervention for Latino Men: Activo.

Introduction: Latino men experience disproportionately high rates of diseases related to low physical activity, yet they are poorly represented in physical activity intervention trials. Efforts to promote physical activity in Latina women show promising results, yet such interventions are yet to be extended to Latino men. This study tested a computer expert system‒tailored, text messaging-supported physical activity intervention for underactive Spanish-speaking Latino men compared with a control group matched for contact time.

Associations of abdominal muscle area and density with coronary artery calcium volume and density: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

Background: Due to the opposing cardiovascular risk profiles of CAC volume and density, we tested the hypothesis that increased abdominal muscle area (AMA) and density (AMD) were significantly associated with lower coronary arterial calcium (CAC) volume and higher CAC density.

Methods: Using data from 787 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, Ancillary Body Composition Study, we analyzed abdominal and chest computed tomography (CT) scans. Abdominal scans were scored for muscle area, muscle density (attenuation) and visceral and subcutaneous fat.

Modelling multiple health behavior change with network analyses: results from a one-year study conducted among overweight and obese adults.

This study examined the between-person associations of seven health behaviors in adults with obesity participating in a weight loss intervention, as well as the covariations between these behaviors within-individuals across the intervention. The present study included data from a 12-month weight loss trial (N = 278). Seven health behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep duration, and consumption of fruits, vegetables, total fat and added sugar) were measured at baseline, 6- and 12-months.

Associations of recreational and non-recreational physical activity with coronary artery calcium density vs. volume and cardiovascular disease events: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Aims: The benefits of physical activity (PA) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) are well known. However, studies suggest PA is associated with coronary artery calcium (CAC), a subclinical marker of CVD. In this study, we evaluated the associations of self-reported recreational and non-recreational PA with CAC composition and incident CVD events.

Association Between Physical Activity Intervention Website Use and Physical Activity Levels Among Spanish-Speaking Latinas: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The internet's low cost and potential for high reach makes Web-based channels prime for delivering evidence-based physical activity (PA) interventions. Despite the well-studied success of internet-based PA interventions in primarily non-Hispanic white populations, evidence on Spanish-speaking Latinas' use of such interventions is lacking. The recent rise in technology use among Latinas in the United States, a population at heightened risk for low PA levels and related conditions, suggests that they may benefit from Web-based PA interventions tailored to their cultural and language preferences.

Effect of a moderate-intensity demonstration walk on accuracy of physical activity self-report.

Background/objective: Providing a demonstration of a 10-minute bout of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) immediately prior to subjective reporting of MVPA could influence self-reported activity by calibrating both duration and intensity. We assessed the effect of a demonstration of MVPA on subsequent MVPA recall, and explored whether this improved agreement with objective measures of MVPA.

Methods: A total of 846 individuals participated in four different physical activity interventions; two of which included a 10-minute moderate-intensity demonstration walk on a treadmill at baseline and 6-month visits immediately prior to reporting MVPA.

Adipokines and severity and progression of coronary artery calcium: Findings from the Rancho Bernardo Study.

Background And Aims: Adipokines are known to predict cardiovascular events, yet their association with coronary artery calcium (CAC), a surrogate marker of coronary atherosclerosis and risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), is unclear. We aimed at assessing the association between adipokines and the severity and progression of CAC in healthy older adults, and at exploring potential modification by gender.

Methods: 409 men and women from the Rancho Bernardo Study with no known CVD underwent a chest computed tomography scan to determine baseline CAC severity; 329 returned 4.

Physical activity maintenance among Spanish-speaking Latinas in a randomized controlled trial of an Internet-based intervention.

Spanish-speaking Latinas have some of the lowest rates of meeting physical activity guidelines in the U.S. and are at high risk for many related chronic diseases.

Social support and physical activity change in Latinas: Results from the Seamos Saludables trial.

Objective: Family responsibilities and poor social support are barriers to physical activity among Latinas. This study evaluated the effects of a home- and print-based intervention on social support, moderating effects of familial ties on support and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and mediating effects of support on MVPA.

Method: Participants were randomized to receive through the mail either individually tailored physical activity intervention or general wellness print materials.

Promoting Physical Activity among Underserved Populations.

Underserved populations, including racial/ethnic minorities, individuals with low socioeconomic status, and individuals with physical disabilities, are less likely to engage in sufficient moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and are thus at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. These populations face unique challenges to engaging in MVPA. Learning how to overcome these challenges is a necessary first step in achieving health equity through health promotion research.

Pasos Hacia La Salud: a randomized controlled trial of an internet-delivered physical activity intervention for Latinas.

Background: Internet access has grown markedly in Latinos during the past decade. However, there have been no Internet-based physical activity interventions designed for Latinos, despite large disparities in lifestyle-related conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, particularly in Latina women. The current study tested the efficacy of a 6-month culturally adapted, individually tailored, Spanish-language Internet-based physical activity intervention.

Adapting Technological Interventions to Meet the Needs of Priority Populations.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) comprise the leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for 3 in 10 deaths. Individuals with certain risk factors, including tobacco use, obesity, low levels of physical activity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, racial/ethnic minority status and low socioeconomic status, experience higher rates of CVD and are, therefore, considered priority populations. Technological devices such as computers and smartphones are now routinely utilized in research studies aiming to prevent CVD and its risk factors, and they are also rampant in the public and private health sectors.

Association of Muscle Mass, Area, and Strength With Incident Diabetes in Older Adults: The Health ABC Study.

Context: Skeletal muscle plays a key role in glucose regulation, yet the association between muscle quantity or quality and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes has not been explored.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the association between muscle quantity and strength and incident diabetes and to explore whether this association differs by body mass index (BMI) category.

Design And Setting: Participants were 2166 older adults in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study who were free of diabetes at baseline (1997–1998).

Type II diabetes disparities in diverse women: the potential roles of body composition, diet and physical activity.

The rates of diabetes in the USA are rapidly increasing, and vary widely across different racial/ethnic groups. This paper explores the potential contribution of body composition, diet and physical activity in explaining diabetes disparities across women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. For body composition, racial/ethnic groups differ widely by BMI, distribution of body mass and quantity and type of adipose tissue.

Using interactive Internet technology to promote physical activity in Latinas: Rationale, design, and baseline findings of Pasos Hacia La Salud.

Internet-based interventions show promise as an effective channel for promoting physical activity. However, a paucity of research has been conducted among underserved groups despite recent increases in Internet access and physical activity-related health disparities in these communities. Thus, the current randomized controlled trial will test the efficacy of an individually tailored, Internet-based physical activity intervention for Latinas.

Pericardial fat is associated with all-cause mortality but not incident CVD: the Rancho Bernardo Study.

Objective: Pericardial and intra-thoracic fat are associated with prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors. However, it is unclear if these fat depots predict incident CVD events and/or all-cause mortality. We examined prospective associations between areas of pericardial and intra-thoracic fat and incident CVD and mortality over a 12-year follow-up in a subset of participants without baseline clinical CVD from the Rancho Bernardo Study (RBS).