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This article includes an historical review of research on physical activity and health, and how the findings have contributed to physical activity participation and promotion today. In the 20th century, research began to accumulate on the effects of exercise on physiological functions, and later on the relation between regular activity and various health outcomes. In the latter half of the 20th century, it became clear that physical inactivity is one of the major public health problems in the world. This prompted numerous organizations and governments to issue recommendations for increasing physical activity in the population. The United States now has official governmental guidelines for physical activity. In addition, numerous public and private organizations have collaborated to develop and implement a U.S. National Physical Activity Plan.

Examined impulsive suicide attempts within a population-based, case-control study of nearly lethal suicide attempts among adolescents and young adults. Impulsive attempts were more likely among those who had been in a physical fight and less likely among those who were depressed. Findings suggest inadequate control of aggressive impulses as a greater indicator of risk than depression. (Contains 24 references and 4 tables.) (BF)

Background: The 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report provides the evidence base for the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition. Methods: The 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee addressed 38 questions and 104 subquestions selected for their public health relevance, potential to inform public policies and programs, maturity of the relevant science, and applicability to the general US population. Rigorous systematic literature searches and literature reviews were performed using standardized methods. Results: Newly described benefits of physical activity include reduced risk of excessive weight gain in children and adults, incidence of 6 types of cancer, and fall-related injuries in older people. Physical activity is associated with enhanced cognitive function and mental health across the life span, plus improved mental health and physical function. There is no threshold that must be exceeded before benefits begin to accrue; the accrual is most rapid for the least active individuals. Sedentary time is directly associated with elevated risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, incident cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and selected cancer sites. A wide range of intervention strategies have demonstrated success in increasing physical activity. Conclusion: The 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report provides compelling new evidence to inform physical activity recommendations, practice, and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We compared the prevalence of risk factors for Black and White suicide decedents in Fulton County, Georgia, from 1988-2002. Methods. We used data from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office to compile information on suicides that occurred in Fulton County between 1988 and 2002. We used the [X.sup.2] test and logistic regression to identify associations between suicide risk factors and race. Results. Black suicide decedents were more likely than White suicide decedents to be male (odds ratio [OR] = 2.06; 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 1.38, 3.09), to be younger, ([less than or equal to]24 y [OR=4.74; 95% (31=2.88, 7.81]; 25-34 y [OR=2.79; 95% Cl=1.74, 4.47]; 35-44 y [OR= 1.86; 95% Cl=1.13, 3.07]), and to hurt others in a suicide (OR=4.22; 95% Cl=1.60, 11.15) but less likely to report depression (OR = 0.63; 95% Cl = 0.48, 0.83), to have a family history of suicide (OR = 0.08; 95% Cl=0.01, 0.61), or to leave a suicide note (OR=0.37; 95% Cl=0.26, 0.52). Conclusions. Future research should consider that Black suicide decedents are less likely to report depression than White suicide decedents. This suicide risk difference is important when developing effective suicide prevention programs.

Objectives. We compared the prevalence of risk factors for Black and White suicide decedents in Fulton County, Georgia, from 1988-2002. Methods. We used data from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office to compile information on suicides that occurred in Fulton County between 1988 and 2002. We used the [chi square] test and logistic regression to identify associations between suicide risk factors and race. Results. Black suicide decedents were more likely than White suicide decedents to be male (odds ratio [OR]= 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38, 3.09), to be younger, ([less than or equal to] Conclusions. Future research should consider that Black suicide decedents are less likely to report depression than White suicide decedents. This suicide risk difference is important when developing effective suicide prevention programs.

PeaceBuilders is a universal, elementary-school-based violence prevention program that attempts to alter the climate of a school by teaching students and staff simple rules and activities aimed at improving child social competence and reducing aggressive behavior. Eight matched schools (N > 4,000 students in Grades K-5) were randomly assigned to either immediate postbaseline intervention (PBI) or to a delayed intervention 1 year later (PBD). Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze results from assessments in the fall and spring of 2 consecutive school years. In Year 1, significant gains in teacher-rated social competence for students in Grades K-2, in child self-reported peace-building behavior in Grades K-5, and reductions in aggressive behavior in Grades 3-5 were found for PBI but not PBD schools. Differential effects in Year 1 were also observed for aggression and prosocial behavior. Most effects were maintained in Year 2 for PBI schools, including increases in child prosocial behavior in Grades K-2. Implications for early universal school-based prevention and challenges related to evaluating large-scale prevention trials are discussed.

Physical illness has been studied as a risk factor for suicidal behavior, but little is known about this relationship among younger persons. We conducted a population-based, case-control study in Houston, Texas, from November 1992 through September 1995. The final sample consisted of 153 case- and 513 control-subjects aged 13 to 34 years. Case patients were identified at hospital emergency departments and met criteria for a nearly lethal suicide attempt. Control subjects were recruited via a random-digit-dial telephone survey. Case patients were more likely than controls to report having any serious medical conditions (crude OR = 3.23; 95% CI = 2.12-4.91). After controlling for age, race/ethnicity, alcoholism, depression, and hopelessness, the adjusted odds ratio for men was 4.76 (95% CI = 1.87-12.17), whereas the adjusted odds ratio for women was 1.60 (95% CI-0.62-4.17), suggesting that young men with medical conditions are at increased risk for nearly lethal suicide attempts. Increased efforts to identify and appropriately refer these patients are needed.