In North America, hatha yoga is increasingly popular with middle-aged women. Given its heavy focus on acceptance of the body, yoga may represent an ideal activity to be used within the exercise and self-esteem model (Sonstroem & Morgan, 1989). The purpose of this research was to explore potential changes in self-esteem, physical competence, acceptance, self-efficacy, and mindfulness among middle-aged women. Participants were 51 women (mean age 49.3 ± 6.1), who underwent a 12-week yoga intervention (yoga group, n = 21; control group, n = 30). Before and after measures included the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ; Godin & Shephard, 1985), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES; Rosenberg, 1965), Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP; Fox & Corbin, 1989), Body Esteem Scale (BES; Franzoi & Shields, 1984), Body Image Visual Analog Scale (BIVAS), Yoga Self-Efficacy Scale (YSES; Junkin, 2005), and the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS; Baer & Allen, 2004). Doubly multivariate analyses established significant Group x Time differences; follow-up univariate tests, p < .05, showed significance on PSW F(1, 49) = 12.22, conditioning subscale of PSPP F(1, 49) = 10.65, strength subscale on PSPP F(1, 49) = 13.11, BIVAS F(1, 49) = 11.76, YSE total score F(1, 49) = 9.84, and YSE subscales of forward bends F(1, 49) = 17.84, twists F(1, 49) = 8.18, and seated/supine poses F(1, 49) = 6.21, and observation subscale of KIMS F(1, 49) = 12.16, p < .05. In all cases, the yoga group improved more over time than the control group. Findings found partial support for the use of the EXSEM for middle-aged women participating in hatha yoga; there was general support for a bottom-up flow from exercise to self-efficacy, competence, and acceptance, but no overall change in self-esteem. Future research should further develop appropriate measurement of physical acceptance, the appropriateness of EXSEM for examining hatha yoga, and the benefits of utilizing mixed methodology for exercise interventions. Health behaviors: Addressing the gap in pediatric cancer care Keats, Melanie R., and Nicole Culos-Reed, University of Calgary Adaptive health behaviors, such as regular physical activity (PA), may serve an important role in mitigating many of the adverse effects of the pediatric cancer experience and ultimately improve quality of life (QOL). Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a theory-based PA intervention for adolescent cancer survivors. Secondary purposes included an examination of the relationship between PA and QOL and the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in understanding PA behavior. Methods: Participants included 10 adolescent cancer survivors (14-19 years). A group PA intervention was administered on a weekly basis over 16 weeks. The first 8 weeks consisted of a 30-min educational session, 45 min of aerobic training, and 15 min of strength and flexibility training. The final 8 weeks included a variety of noncompetitive, sport/fitness activities. The goal of the program was to provide survivors an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills central to a healthy, active lifestyle. All participants completed a fitness test and QOL measures at baseline, mid-program, postintervention, and at 3 and 12 months postintervention. Results: Survivors attended 81.5% of the sessions (no dropout). Physical activity increased from 16.14 MET hr/wk at baseline to 40.78 MET hr/wk mid-program (p = .018). Although PA levels declined over the 1-year follow-up, they remained above baseline values. Ongoing improvements in QOL were noted across the 1-year study. Examining the TPB, intentions, controllability, and self-efficacy appeared to be key correlates of PA behavior.… [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]