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INTRODUCTION The purpose of this article is to introduce how social networks can be utilized as an effective approach to health informatics and to provide evidence from a quantitative research study regarding the effects of interpersonal interactions at work on healthcare employees' burnout and health. METHODS Tests of moderation were calculated to explore whether interpersonal interactions at work changed the associations between job stress and burnout and health. The study used cross sectional data from a North Carolina convenience sample. Participants were 237 multidisciplinary employees from healthcare organizations who were at least 18 years of age. RESULTS The results from this study provided evidence that more frequent friendly work-related communication benefitted employees' health, while more frequent hostile or difficult communication was detrimental to employees' burnout and health. DISCUSSION In this article, an explanation for using social networks to collect quantitative, relational data to determine when interpersonal interactions at work are beneficial or detrimental to employees' health and burnout is provided. The article concludes with a discussion regarding how these results and methods can be used to advance the national movements aimed at addressing healthcare employees' health and burnout. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Introduction Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent illness with high societal and personal costs. Whereas there is some systemic research, there are still many pieces yet unknown about T2DM and families. The purpose of the current study is to understand the transgenerational health experiences related to T2DM for both patients and caregivers. Method Focus groups were the primary methodology. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded for themes. Participants were recruited via community fliers and e-mail listservs. The primary inclusion criterion was having a (a) family history of T2DM or (b) personal history of T2DM. Participants also needed to be at least 18 years old and be able to read and speak English. Results In 4 focus groups, 32 people were interviewed. The sample was entirely rural yet reasonably diverse. Five dominant themes emerged from the data: physical health comorbidities, T2DM is a lifestyle illness affecting the whole family, mental health stresses and comorbidities, personal and family relationship with T2DM, and sharing knowledge. Discussion Participants indicated that their families had been influenced by T2DM and that the illness had both physical and mental health comorbidities-both of which caused considerable stressors. Participants also reported that they valued the sharing of knowledge related to T2DM with each other and people in their lives. Limitations to the study include lack of generalizability because of small sample size and the majority of recruitment being done via technology. Future research should include larger, more diverse samples and quantitative data collection. Implications are also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Background: Time spent in sedentary behaviors is an independent risk factor for several chronic diseases (e.g., cardiometabolic diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension). Recently, interventions to reduce sitting time at work (a prominent sedentary behavior) have been developed and tested. Organizational culture plays a critical role in the success of workplace interventions. However, there are a limited number of studies that have examined the role of organizational culture in reducing sitting time in the workplace. Objectives: Therefore, in this systematic review, we summarized the empirical literature investigating organizational culture and sedentary behavior in the workplace and identify gaps in the knowledge base. Methods: We described the procedures of our systematic review and included two study flow diagrams that detailed the step by step process. Combinations of several search terms were used; the databases searched were PubMed, Medline, Academic Search Complete, and Google Scholar. We started with thousands of citations. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight relevant articles were identified. Results: For each identified article, the data extracted included citation, sample, objective, intervention, assessment of organizational culture and workplace sitting, findings, and implications. Each article was rated for risk of bias by population, intervention, comparator, outcomes, and study design (PICOS) analysis. The classification for each study was either: high-, moderate-, or low-quality evidence. Given the paucity of data, no definitive conclusions were presented; however, positive trends were highlighted. Conclusions: Work place interventions to reduce sitting time at work may benefit from considering elements of organizational culture; however, the evidence to date is sparse and more high-quality studies in this area are needed. To advance the field of workplace health promotion, organizational culture, and interventions to reduce sitting at work, we present 11 recommendations.

In an effort to determine how sport could be better positioned on the public health agenda, three community physical activity programs aimed at combating obesity were examined to determine the benefits residents seek through their participation. Using a case study approach and critical framework, assumptions and presumed knowledge of these public health programs were drawn out through site visits and interviews. A total of 42 interviews with community leaders, program organizers, and residents in each community were conducted. The results reveal that new approaches need to be considered for promoting greater levels of participation in U.S. community sport and other leisure-time physical activity programs. Instead of the commonly emphasized benefits of physical health or appearance, the results demonstrate that hedonic rewards and opportunities for social interaction are two overlooked, yet primary benefits sought by participants. This research suggests that concerted efforts to focus on the hedonic feelings and social aspects can potentially lead to increased sport participation and holistic health. Such an approach may help better address vital public health policy issues while demonstrating the distinctiveness and utility of sport.

Context The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess changes in body weight and relative adiposity (%FAT) during college and identify potential moderating variables. Evidence acquisition A review of peer-reviewed articles published before June 28, 2013 identified 49 studies evaluating the effect of the first year of college on the dependent variables of body weight (137 effects from 48 studies) and %FAT (48 effects from 19 studies). Statistical analysis was conducted between July 1, 2013, and May 1, 2014. Effect sizes were calculated by subtracting the mean pre-test measurements from the mean post-test measurements. Evidence synthesis Participants' weight increased 1.55 kg (95% CI=1.3, 1.8 kg) during college, with a 1.17% increase in %FAT (95% CI=0.7, 1.6%). Meta-regression analysis concluded that changes in body weight and %FAT were positively associated with study duration, suggesting that effects measuring change over a longer duration yielded larger effects when compared to effects with shorter observations. Sex and baseline BMI were not associated with change in weight or %FAT after accounting for study duration. Conclusions The increase in weight and %FAT during the college years is equal to 1.55 kg and 1.17%, respectively. Change in body weight during the first year of college is significantly less than that during the cumulative remaining years of college. By understanding the magnitude of change, appropriate prevention efforts can be designed for the college population, which may be beneficial in reducing adult overweight and obesity rates.

Introduction: Physical inactivity is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Worksites provide an ideal environment for physical activity (PA) interventions. The aim was to use the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to examine university employees’ perceptions of worksite PA barriers and benefits. Methods: A focus group using the NGT and the Health Belief Model was conducted to assess employees’ perceived susceptibility of physical inactivity, perceptions of barriers and benefits to PA, and cues to action. Results: Findings showed university employees experienced similar barriers to PA as employees in other sectors, including lack of time and knowledge. Participants reported unique benefits to being physical active, notably being physically active allowed them to maintain demanding professional and personal lifestyles. Discussion: Results imply university employees experienced benefits to PA consistent with other worksite populations; the surprising benefits of PA for this population are strong motivators and would provide an excellent basis for interventions. Results also indicate although university employees face similar barriers to PA as other worksites, the unique barriers for this worksite should be the focus for worksite programs for this population. Similarly to the benefits, the unique barriers of this population should influence development of interventions to promote PA on campuses.

Evidence-based recommendations for physical activity following spinal fusion surgeries for idiopathic scoliosis are limited, specifically in the adolescent population. Individuals with scoliosis treated operatively or non-operatively have been reported to participate in less than 1–3 days/week of even mildly strenuous physical exercises. Over 40% of individuals with scoliosis returned to sports at a level lower than pre-operative participation levels or did not return at all post spinal fusion. It is particularly important for human movement specialists, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, athletic trainers and kinesiologists to assist these individuals effectively transition to and maintain engagement in physical activity. This review provides a snapshot of common considerations and potential factors influencing individuals with spinal-fusion for scoliosis to participate in safe physical activity.

Introduction: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent data suggests that African Americans (AA) have reduced levels of CRF compared to Caucasian Americans (CA). However, this viewpoint has not been widely accepted and it is unclear whether racial differences in CRF may be of a large enough magnitude to increase the risk of CVD. Methods: A literature review was conducted for studies comparing CRF levels between AA and CA adults. Studies were eligible for inclusion if CRF was assessed by an exercise test (submaximal or maximal), CRF was compared between AA and CA adults, examined an adult study population, and was published in a peer-reviewed journal. Potential studies were excluded if the sample included children or adolescents, the sample size was less than 15 participants in each racial group, or the study evaluated participants who had significant health conditions. Meta-analyses were performed comparing CRF between AAs and CAs in two analyses: 1) all studies compared using metabolic equivalents (METs) and 2) restricted only to studies that quantified CRF by directing measuring maximal oxygen consumption (considered the gold standard). Both fixed effects and random effects models were fit to these data. Because of the heterogeneity only results from the random effects models are reported. Analyses were performed using R (version 3.1, R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. URL https://www.R-project.org/) and the rmeta package (version 2.6). Results: There were 27 studies (n=131,084) that that met the criteria for the meta-analysis (23 studies excluded). In both the analyses for METs (27 studies, Summary effect: 0.91, CI: 0.8 to 1.0) and directly measured VO 2 max (16 studies, Summary effect: 3.2, CI: 2.1 to 4.3) as the criteria for CRF, AA had lower fitness compared to CA adults. Conclusions: The present study suggests that AAs have lower CRF compared to CAs based on epidemiological studies and clinical trials whether directly measured using indirect calorimetry or maximal METs estimated from exercise testing. A difference of 0.91 METs is associated with ~13.7% higher risk of CVD based on previous epidemiological data. Thus, lower CRF in AA adults may represent a health disparity risk factor and interventions to improve CRF in sedentary AAs may be warranted.

AB Commonly reported relationships of the broad personality traits of extraversion and neuroticism with self-reports of physical activity (PA) have not been elaborated within motivational theory that posits how functioning of the behavioral inhibition (BIS) and activation (BAS) systems can explain or modify the influence of personality on PA. Whether personality predicts physical activity when it is measured objectively has not been established. Purpose: The study was aimed to test direct, indirect, and interactive relations between extraversion, neuroticism, BIS and BAS, and PA measured by validated self-report and accelerometry. Methods: Two samples of female undergraduates completed personality questionnaires. Sample 2 also completed three PA self-reports and wore an accelerometer for 7 d. Factor structure and measurement equivalence of personality measures, structural equivalence of relationships between personality factors, and multivariate prediction of self-reported and objectively measured PA by personality were tested using structural equation modeling. Results: Equivalence between samples for personality models was confirmed. Behavioral activation system predicted self-reported PA. Neuroticism and BIS predicted objectively measured PA. Conclusions: The relationship between personality and PA may differ according to method used to measure PA. Behavioral inhibition system seems to protect against inactivity among young women high in neuroticism.

INTRODUCTION We assessed the independent effects of socioeconomic status, sex, adiposity, and physical activity on C-reactive protein in young adults. METHODS During the fall semester of their first year, college students (n = 177; mean age, 18.1 y; 66.7% female; 65.5% white) were assessed for adiposity via dual x-ray absorptiometry, physical activity via accelerometer, and serum C-reactive protein. Area-level socioeconomic status was based on self-reported home zip code. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to assess the relationship of sex, adiposity, and physical activity on the dependent variable of C-reactive protein, with participants nested within geographic regions of similar socioeconomic characteristics. RESULTS C-reactive protein was positively associated with adiposity and inversely associated with socioeconomic status (both P < .05). Area-level socioeconomic status explained 28.2% of the variance in C-reactive protein. Adiposity was significantly associated with C-reactive protein in the full model (P = .006); physical activity was not associated with C-reactive protein (P = .48), and area-level socioeconomic status approached significance (P = .05) within the age range of our analysis after accounting for the variance explained by adiposity. CONCLUSION The significant positive association between adiposity and C-reactive protein suggests that young adults with higher adiposity have higher C-reactive protein levels after accounting for area-level socioeconomic status, sex, and physical activity.

Transportation workers, who constitute a large sector of the workforce, have worksite factors that harm their health. Worksite wellness programs must target this at-risk population. Although physical activity is often a component of worksite wellness logic models, we consider it the cornerstone for improving the health of mass transit employees. Program theory was based on in-person interviews and focus groups of employees. We identified 4 short-term outcome categories, which provided a chain of responses based on the program activities that should lead to the desired end results. This logic model may have significant public health impact, because it can serve as a framework for other US mass transit districts and worksite populations that face similar barriers to wellness, including truck drivers, railroad employees, and pilots. The objective of this article is to discuss the development of a logic model for a physical activity-based mass-transit employee wellness program by describing the target population, program theory, the components of the logic model, and the process of its development.