Children's Active Transportation


Book Description

Children's Active Transportation is a rigorous and comprehensive examination of the current research and interventions on active transportation for children and youth. As the travel behaviors of these groups tend to be highly routinized, and their mobility faces unique constraints, such as parental restrictions, mandatory school attendance, and the inability to drive a motor vehicle before late adolescence, this book examines the key factors that influence travel behavior among children and youth, providing key insights into lessons learned from current interventions. Readers will find a resource that clearly demonstrates how critical it is for children to develop strong, active transportation habits that carry into adulthood. - Discusses the correlates that exist between children's active transportation using a social and ecological model - Summarizes active transportation interventions that show what works to increase non-motorized modes of travel in children - Describes the factors that influence the implementation and effectiveness of interventions




The Federal Safe Routes to School Program


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Safety and Security in Transit Environments


Book Description

Chapter “Crowd Spatial Patterns at Bus Stops: Security Implications and Effects of Warning Messages” is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.




Practical Approaches for Involving Traditionally Underserved Populations in Transportation Decisionmaking


Book Description

TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 710: Practical Approaches for Involving Traditionally Underserved Populations in Transportation Decisionmaking highlights tools, techniques, and approaches for identifying and connecting with populations that have traditionally been underserved and underrepresented in transportation decisionmaking.




Children's Exposure to Violence


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Legal Strategies in Childhood Obesity Prevention


Book Description

Since 1980, childhood obesity rates have more than tripled in the United States. Recent data show that almost one-third of children over 2 years of age are already overweight or obese. While the prevalence of childhood obesity appears to have plateaued in recent years, the magnitude of the problem remains unsustainably high and represents an enormous public health concern. All options for addressing the childhood obesity epidemic must therefore be explored. In the United States, legal approaches have successfully reduced other threats to public health, such as the lack of passive restraints in automobiles and the use of tobacco. The question then arises of whether laws, regulations, and litigation can likewise be used to change practices and policies that contribute to obesity. On October 21, 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) held a workshop to bring together stakeholders to discuss the current and future legal strategies aimed at combating childhood obesity. Legal Strategies in Childhood Obesity Prevention summarizes the proceedings of that workshop. The report examines the challenges involved in implementing public health initiatives by using legal strategies to elicit change. It also discusses circumstances in which legal strategies are needed and effective. This workshop was created only to explore the boundaries of potential legal approaches to address childhood obesity, and therefore, does not contain recommendations for the use of such approaches.




Implementing Physical Activity Strategies


Book Description

Developed through a partnership with the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance and the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (NCPPA), Implementing Physical Activity Strategies profiles 42 physical activity programs that are helping people adopt more active and healthy lifestyles based on the U.S. National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP). This resource combines the expertise of editors Russell Pate and David Buchner as well as a host of respected researchers and practitioners well known for their long-term advocacy for a more physically active society. Implementing Physical Activity Strategies highlights innovative and proven physical activity programs under way in eight sectors: education; mass media; health care; parks, recreation, fitness, and sports; business and industry; public health; transportation, land use, and community design; and volunteer and nonprofit organizations. For each, readers will find an explanation of how the physical activity program was executed, how it aligns with the NPAP, the target population of the program, cross-sector collaborations and their benefits, and assessments of program effectiveness. A consistent presentation of information on each program makes this comprehensive reference easy to use. The text maintains a focus on topics such as cross-sector collaboration, tactics and troubleshooting tips, and how each program aligns with the NPAP. This ensures readers will find tools and information to bring success to their own initiatives. Many of the program profiles include sample press releases, ads, screen shots, photos, surveys, follow-up forms, and other hands-on materials to help readers more readily translate the ideas and materials of these programs into new physical activity initiatives. By sharing examples and case studies of proven programs, Implementing Physical Activity Strategies supports those seeking ways to bring the benefits of increased physical activity to their constituents: • Officials and managers in public health and health care • Volunteer and nonprofit organizations • Recreation, fitness, and sport leaders • Physical education teachers • Worksite health promotion advocates • Transportation, urban policy, and design workers Implementing Physical Activity Strategies offers a detailed look into exemplary programs that have brought about an increase in regular physical activity for individuals where they live, work, and play. Stimulate new ideas, inspire creativity and innovation, and set in motion new results-oriented physical activity initiatives with Implementing Physical Activity Strategies.




Educating the Student Body


Book Description

Physical inactivity is a key determinant of health across the lifespan. A lack of activity increases the risk of heart disease, colon and breast cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression and others diseases. Emerging literature has suggested that in terms of mortality, the global population health burden of physical inactivity approaches that of cigarette smoking. The prevalence and substantial disease risk associated with physical inactivity has been described as a pandemic. The prevalence, health impact, and evidence of changeability all have resulted in calls for action to increase physical activity across the lifespan. In response to the need to find ways to make physical activity a health priority for youth, the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Physical Activity and Physical Education in the School Environment was formed. Its purpose was to review the current status of physical activity and physical education in the school environment, including before, during, and after school, and examine the influences of physical activity and physical education on the short and long term physical, cognitive and brain, and psychosocial health and development of children and adolescents. Educating the Student Body makes recommendations about approaches for strengthening and improving programs and policies for physical activity and physical education in the school environment. This report lays out a set of guiding principles to guide its work on these tasks. These included: recognizing the benefits of instilling life-long physical activity habits in children; the value of using systems thinking in improving physical activity and physical education in the school environment; the recognition of current disparities in opportunities and the need to achieve equity in physical activity and physical education; the importance of considering all types of school environments; the need to take into consideration the diversity of students as recommendations are developed. This report will be of interest to local and national policymakers, school officials, teachers, and the education community, researchers, professional organizations, and parents interested in physical activity, physical education, and health for school-aged children and adolescents.




The Impact of School Infrastructure on Learning


Book Description

'The Impact of School Infrastructure on Learning: A Synthesis of the Evidence provides an excellent literature review of the resources that explore the areas of focus for improved student learning, particularly the aspiration for “accessible, well-built, child-centered, synergetic and fully realized learning environments.†? Written in a style which is both clear and accessible, it is a practical reference for senior government officials and professionals involved in the planning and design of educational facilities, as well as for educators and school leaders. --Yuri Belfali, Head of Division, Early Childhood and Schools, OECD Directorate for Education and Skills This is an important and welcome addition to the surprisingly small, evidence base on the impacts of school infrastructure given the capital investment involved. It will provide policy makers, practitioners, and those who are about to commission a new build with an important and comprehensive point of reference. The emphasis on safe and healthy spaces for teaching and learning is particularly welcome. --Harry Daniels, Professor of Education, Department of Education, Oxford University, UK This report offers a useful library of recent research to support the, connection between facility quality and student outcomes. At the same time, it also points to the unmet need for research to provide verifiable and reliable information on this connection. With such evidence, decisionmakers will be better positioned to accurately balance the allocation of limited resources among the multiple competing dimensions of school policy, including the construction and maintenance of the school facility. --David Lever, K-12 Facility Planner, Former Executive Director of the Interagency Committee on School Construction, Maryland Many planners and designers are seeking a succinct body of research defining both the issues surrounding the global planning of facilities as well as the educational outcomes based on the quality of the space provided. The authors have finally brought that body of evidence together in this well-structured report. The case for better educational facilities is clearly defined and resources are succinctly identified to stimulate the dialogue to come. We should all join this conversation to further the process of globally enhancing learning-environment quality! --David Schrader, AIA, Educational Facility Planner and Designer, Former Chairman of the Board of Directors, Association for Learning Environments (A4LE)