Coming back for more: individual participation patterns in the physical activity initiative parkrun in Australia.

Most physical activity (PA) maintenance research has concerned adherence to small-scale interventions or infrequent observation in cohort studies. We analysed individual attendance trajectories and their drivers in a large-scale 'real-world' community-based weekly PA event (parkrun) cohort in Australia. Data were weekly attendance (walking/running) of 223 224 unique parkrun participants over their first 3 years of participation.

Patterns and Correlates of Participation in a Weekly Mass Participation Physical Activity Event, parkrun, in Australia, 2011-2020.

Background: Studying effective interventions already operating at scale is critical to improving physical activity intervention research translation. The free, weekly, timed 5-km run or walk parkrun represents a unique opportunity to examine successful organic dissemination. We conducted an ecological analysis to identify patterns of growth in Australian parkrun participation and their correlates from 2011 to 2020.

Reach, acceptability and impact of an online parent healthy lifestyle intervention during the COVID-19 lockdown: A pilot study.

Issue Addressed: There is growing evidence that online parent-focused child healthy lifestyle interventions can improve healthy eating practices and food environments in the home. Greater understanding of whether and how parents engage with these online interventions is needed. This study evaluated the reach, acceptability and impacts of an online parent healthy lifestyle intervention.

Sixteen-year trends in multiple lifestyle risk behaviours by socioeconomic status from 2004 to 2019 in New South Wales, Australia.

Few studies have examined trends in inequalities related to lifestyle risk behaviours. This study examined 1) 16-year (2004-2019) trends of individual lifestyle risk factors and a combined lifestyle risk index and 2) trends in socioeconomic inequalities in these risk factors, in New South Wales (NSW; Australia) adults. Data was sourced from the NSW Adult Population Health Survey, an annual telephone survey of NSW residents aged ≥16 years, totalling 191,905 completed surveys.

Creating healthy hospital retail food environments: Multiple pathways to successful at scale policy implementation in Australia.

Objective: In 2017, the Australian state of New South Wales introduced a revised policy to provide a healthy food and drink environment for staff and visitors in the state's publicly funded health facilities. We sought to understand how contextual factors, intervention features and the responses of diverse stakeholders affected the policy's implementation in public hospitals.

Methods: Ninety-nine interviews were conducted with chief executives, implementers and retailers in the health and food retail systems after the target date for the implementation of 13 initial policy practices.

Trends in risk factors and management strategies used by people with type 2 diabetes in New South Wales, Australia.

Adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours is an important component of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) self-management, which can lower risks of further health complications. Monitoring lifestyle risk factors including overweight or obesity, healthy diet and physical activity behaviours, alcohol consumption, smoking and psychological distress remain important. This study examined prevalence trends in these factors and adoption of three diabetes lifestyle self-management strategies in adults (aged 40+) with T2D in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Community support for policy interventions targeting unhealthy food environments in public institutions.

Issue Addressed: Understanding community support for obesity prevention policy is important for developing effective preventive health action. This study assessed support for a range of obesity prevention interventions, including food environment policies designed to improve healthy food and drink availability and promotion within public institutions.

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was completed by 2006 NSW adults.

Implementing Food Environment Policies at Scale: What Helps? What Hinders? A Systematic Review of Barriers and Enablers.

Background: Policies that support healthier food environments, including healthy retail food availability and promotion, are an important strategy for obesity prevention. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the evidence for barriers and enablers to successful implementation of healthy food and drink policies, delivered at scale.

Methods: MEDLINE, SCOPUS and INFORMIT were searched to May 2019 for peer-reviewed studies.

Towards healthier food choices for hospital staff and visitors: impacts of a healthy food and drink policy implemented at scale in Australia.

Objective: To determine the impact of a healthy food and drink policy on hospital staff and visitors' food purchasing behaviours, and their awareness and support for the changes introduced.

Design: Two repeated cross-sectional surveys, consisting of intercept interviews and observations of food items purchased, were conducted before (March-July 2018) and after (April-June 2019) the target date for implementation of thirteen food and drink practices (31 December 2018). Food purchases were coded as 'Everyday' (healthy) or 'Occasional' (unhealthy).

Impact and acceptance of a state-wide policy to remove sugar-sweetened beverages in hospitals in New South Wales, Australia.

Issue Addressed: Policy and environmental approaches can reduce the accessibility and purchasing of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), potentially reducing overweight and obesity. This study examined the impact of a state-wide policy on removal of SSBs from sale in NSW public hospitals (launched July 2017), and explored consumer awareness and support.

Methods: A convenience sample of 81 food outlets in 26 hospitals were audited for SSB availability before and after the target date for SSB removal (31 December 2017).

Telephone based coaching for adults at risk of diabetes: impact of Australia's Get Healthy Service.

The Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service (GHS), an effective 6-month telephone-based healthy lifestyle coaching service, includes a population-targeted diabetes prevention module (DPM) tailored for adults at risk for type 2 diabetes. This study determined DPM's reach and impact on anthropometric and lifestyle risk factors. Pre-post evaluation design examined self-reported anthropometric (body weight, waist circumference) and lifestyle risk factors (physical activity and dietary behaviors) of DPM participants.

Formative research to promote the Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service (GHS) in the Australian-Chinese community.

The free, telephone-based Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service (GHS) has made sustained improvements in healthy behaviours and weight change in the Australian population, but there is poor uptake of the GHS by culturally and linguistically diverse communities. This formative research study explored the Australian-Chinese community's awareness, perceptions and experiences of the GHS and their knowledge and cultural beliefs about healthy lifestyles. Conducted in Sydney, Australia, the research included 16 Chinese community-stakeholder interviews, a cross-sectional survey of 253 Chinese community members; and a review of Chinese participant GHS data.

Outdoor gyms and older adults - acceptability, enablers and barriers: a survey of park users.

Issue addressed Increasing the proportion of older adults meeting current recommendations for physical activity is important. This study aimed to determine the acceptability of outdoor gym use among older adults by assessing their outdoor gym use, intention to use, motivators, frequency and preference for use, and barriers and enablers to use. Methods Interviews were conducted with 438 consenting English speaking park users≥50 years after installation and promotion of an outdoor gym.

Impact of an outdoor gym on park users' physical activity: A natural experiment.

This study assessed the impact of an outdoor gym installation on park users' physical activity levels and examined the characteristics of outdoor gym users. A before-after time series design was employed, consisting of nine data collection periods: three each at baseline, post outdoor gym installation, and at 12-month follow-up. Repeated observational surveys and park intercept interviews were conducted.