Search

Background: Time insufficiency is frequently cited as a reason for poor dietary habits. This does not adequately explain the variations in how time is perceived as a factor in healthy eating. Aims: This study placed the eating behaviors of rural Australian women within the contexts of their stories to understand the factors that influenced healthy eating and how rural communities could enhance their health and well-being. Method: A three-phase sequential multimode narrative inquiry was used within four communities in rural Queensland, Australia. Each phase used a different mode of data collection: photo elicitation focus groups, narrative interviews, participatory workshops. Data were thematically analyzed iteratively to inform subsequent phases. Results. Nine final themes were identified. This article explored the theme of time and two contrasting perceptions of time sufficiency regarding healthy eating within a rural context during a drought. Discussion: Exploration of "time as a commodity" and "time as a duty" allowed a deeper understanding of time as a social and environmental determinant of health. Conclusion: Time's influence on healthy eating is much more than the minutes it takes to prepare a meal. To fully appreciate its impact, time should be considered as a social and environmental determinant of health.

AHPA supports an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to parliament for a healthy, equitable Australia. In this editorial, in parallel with NAIDOC Week 2023, we celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in Australian health promotion efforts. [Extracted from the article]

Trail design and building guidelines are essential tools for influencing the behaviour-and therefore the environmental impact-of users of walking, mountain biking and multi-use recreation trails. Yet, these tools are often not explicitly considered in research that monitors their environmental impact. This is the first study to investigate the role of trail design in shaping how walkers and mountain bikers utilise mountain biking, walking and multi-use trails. The research differentiates trail feature types to examine how they shape user behaviour and, therefore, environmental impact. This observational study uses time-series photographic imagery to examine behaviour and impacts over 12 months. Impacts at each site were examined using current trail building design guidelines. The findings show that shortcuts were commonly employed to avoid long sections on walker-only trails, and to cut across meandering tracks on the multi-use trails in the mountain bike park. Trail spread occurs when walkers use the edges of the trail to avoid rough or uneven surfaces such as stairs and tree roots. Depressions in the trail before technical mountain biking features such as berms and drops were also apparent. Further observations include toilet paper and litter on the walking trails. The research furthermore indicates the unintended environmental impacts when trail users did not adhere to specific trail features or did not use the trails as intended. Unique trail design principles are required where walkers and mountain bikers use the same trails, and this paper provides recommendations for improving trail design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To determine if a school‐based physical activity (PA) intervention that supported primary school teachers to schedule PA during school hours impacted their own PA. Methods: A 2x2 factorial group cluster‐randomised controlled trial was undertaken in 12 Australian primary schools. The nine‐month intervention supported classroom teachers to increase scheduled weekly PA for their class via physical education, sport, Energisers and integrated lessons. Teachers' PA (n = 76) was measured at follow‐up only using accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X or GT9X). Linear mixed models were used to estimate between‐group differences in teachers' mean minutes of sedentary, light, moderate‐to‐vigorous‐intensity physical activity (MVPA) across the school day and during class‐time. Results: At follow‐up, there were non‐significant between‐group differences favouring intervention teachers, compared to controls, for light PA (4.9 minutes, 95% CI: −6.3, 16.0; P =.33) and MVPA (0.4 minutes, 95% CI: −10.9, 11.6; P =.94) across the school day; although not favouring the intervention for sedentary behaviour (5.1 minutes, 95% CI: −11.4, 21.7; P =.48). Similar patterns were seen during class‐time for light PA and sedentary time, but not for MVPA. Conclusions: Supporting teachers with the scheduling of PA for their class may impact on their own PA. Fully powered studies are needed to better understand the impact of the intervention on teachers' PA. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12616001228471 (http://www.anzctr.org.au/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]