Efficacy of "Mentoring to Be Active" on Weight Loss, Body Mass Index, and Body Fat among Obese and Extremely Obese Youth in Rural Appalachia.

Purpose: This study compares the efficacy of a behavioral skills mentoring program (Mentored Planning to Be Active [MBA]) to a teacher-led program (Planning to Be Active [PBA]) for increasing physical activity in Appalachian teens on health outcomes (weight loss, body mass index (BMI), and body fat).

Methods: Secondary analysis of a larger group-randomized controlled trial was conducted in 20 rural Appalachian schools. Descriptive Pearson correlations and multivariate analyses with between-subject effects were conducted.

Rates of Obesity and Obesogenic Behaviors of Rural Appalachian Adolescents: How Do They Compare to Other Adolescents or Recommendations?

Background: To better understand the unique challenges of Appalachians, community-based studies are needed to establish benchmark rates. This study compares obesity rates and obesogenic behaviors among Appalachian adolescents to other adolescent populations or clinical recommendations.

Methods: This study was conducted in 11 Appalachian schools.

Peer mentor versus teacher delivery of a physical activity program on the effects of BMI and daily activity: protocol of a school-based group randomized controlled trial in Appalachia.

Background: Rural Appalachian populations have poorer health and fewer positive health-related behaviors compared to other United States populations. Appalachians are the most sedentary U.S.

A Structured Peer-Mentoring Method for Physical Activity Behavior Change Among Adolescents.

Despite national guidelines for regular physical activity, most adolescents are not physically active. Schools serve an estimated 60 million youth and provide an educational environment to meet the current physical activity guidelines. The obesity epidemic and chronic disease comorbidities associated with physical inactivity are not likely to be reversed without a strong contribution from local schools.

Neighborhoods on the move: a community-based participatory research approach to promoting physical activity.

Background: There is a scientific and practical need for high-quality effectiveness studies of physical activity interventions in "real-world" settings.

Objective: To use a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to develop, implement, operate, and evaluate an intervention for promoting physical activity called Neighborhoods on the Move.

Methods: Two communities with similar physical and social characteristics participated in this study.

A method for observing physical activity on residential sidewalks and streets.

Assessment of physical activity needs to improve in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between characteristics of the environment and physical activity. Our study evaluated a method [Block Walk Method (BWM)] for observing physical activity along residential sidewalks and streets. The BWM was utilized in 12 U.

Features of the neighborhood environment and walking by U.S. adults.

Background: Manipulating the physical environment may be an efficacious way to promote physical activity. This study examined the relationships between features of the neighborhood environment and walking in the neighborhood by U.S.

Using social cognitive theory to explain discretionary, "leisure-time" physical exercise among high school students.

Purpose: To examine whether knowledge of high school students' actions of self-regulation, and perceptions of self-efficacy to overcome exercise barriers, social situation, and outcome expectation will predict non-school related moderate and vigorous physical exercise.

Methods: High school students enrolled in introductory Physical Education courses completed questionnaires that targeted selected Social Cognitive Theory variables. They also self-reported their typical "leisure-time" exercise participation using a standardized questionnaire.