pdf file, 2 pages Published: 2003 GeoOrigin: Alberta
Assessing physical activity may be complex and challenging, as there is no universally accepted "gold standard" method for measuring it. On page 5 of this WellSpring issue, the article presents helpful information about measuring physical activity using pedometers, including what people should know before using them as well as their advantages and limitations.
The CCPA offers an alternative to the message that we have no choice about the policies that affect our lives. The CCPA promotes research on issues of social and economic justice. The CCPA publishes progressive research and analysis in many different formats including books, research reports, policy briefs, short pieces, and backgrounders designed to give you the important facts in a quick overview. Much of this information is available free on the CCPA web site.
Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada (CDPAC )
GeoOrigin: National
This alliance is a network of coalitions across Canada committed to preventing chronic disease. Provincial and national initiatives are highlighted. A "Work Area" enables online discussions of experiences and evidence about what works and what is needed.
pdf file, 1 page Published: Dec 2005 GeoOrigin: National
The ALPINE Project, a partnership of 10 Alberta and national health promotion organizations, released a health promotion newspaper insert in 2003. This Research Update article summarizes the evaluation of this project.
Twiss, J., Dickinson, J., Duma, S., Kleinman, T., Paulsen, H., & Rilveria, L. (2003). Community gardens: Lessons learned from California healthy cities and communities. American Journal of Public Health, 93(9), 1435-1438.
This report provides a brief overview of the two-year project in Northwest Territories schools.
The project evaluated the effectiveness of Active Living Kits that were distributed to a small number of schools.
The evaluation showed that the kits were used once or twice a week, and that most teachers found them useful.
This three-page report is part of a larger 20 page document.
EpiNorth, the Northwest Territories epidemiology newsletter, is now an online only publication produced by the Population Health Division of the Department of Health and Social Services.
PDF file, 8 pages Published: May 2004 GeoOrigin: Alberta
Ever Active Adults (EAA) is an evidence-based course that teaches physical activity leadership to practitioners working with seniors. This report is a description and evaluation of the EAA program.
pdf file, 56 pages Published: 2001 GeoOrigin: National
This report reviewed and synthesized the current evidence for the effectiveness of active living interventions and assessed the usefulness of an an outcomes model to inform policy and program investment decisions. Dr. Kerry McGannon, former Research Associate at the Alberta Centre for Active Living, was a contributor to this report.
The purpose of this document is to present recommendations to policy-makers regarding how they might more effectively fulfil their role in the evaluation of health promotion initiatives.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Health/Well-being--Health Promotion Evaluation [file cabinet], ID #560
html file, 1 page Published: Jun 2004 GeoOrigin: Alberta
The Alberta Centre for Active Living developed Ever Active Adults in collaboration with the Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association (AFLCA) and other partners. (Ever Active Adults is now offered by the AFLCA.) Ever Active Adults is an evidence-based course and curriculum that provides physical activity training for practitioners working in Alberta seniors' housing. This Research Update article summarizes the effectiveness of the course.
This workbook poses and answers 8 questions that help guide the development of an evaluation plan; illustrates how techniques and principles used in other applied research studies can be adapted to worksite health promotion evaluations; and, places emphasis on the economic evaluation of worksite programs.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Workplace Wellness--Evaluation [file cabinet], ID #676
8 pages Published: Apr 2009 GeoOrigin: International
Leatherdale,S.T., Manske, S., Wong, S.L. & Cameron, R. (2009). Integrating Research, Policy, and Practice in School-Based Physical Activity Prevention Programming: The School Health Action, Planning, and Evaluation System (SHAPES) Physical Activity Module. Health Promotion Practice, 10, 254-261.
doi:10.1177/1524839906298499
pdf file, 125 pages Published: May 2003 GeoOrigin: International
There is growing interest in the potential for preventive interventions to improve average health status in OECD countries and to tackle remaining health inequalities. The interest includes health services and measures to influence behaviour, and actions to improve the contribution of the social, economic, and physical environments to health. This paper notes the trends in health inequalities in OECD countries, reviews the case for population-health investments, and the evidence on interventions' effectiveness. One focus of this paper is on falls among the elderly.
Lists factors that may indicate initial success after following a physical exercise program for a short time. Discusses tools to measure progress, and goal adjustment. Includes links to related resources. Production of this material has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
The Annapolis Valley Health Promoting School Project (AVHPSP) was a two and a half year project funded through the Canadian Diabetes Strategy at Health Canada.
Several schools in the Annapolis Valley decided to change they way they worked to improve the learning and health of their students. The results of the project are shared in this guidebook.
The guidebook describes what the schools did as well as what worked and what didn't and lessons learned.
Dwyer, J.J.M., Hansen, B., Barrera, M., Allison, K., Ceolin-Celestini, S., Koenig, D., et al. (2003). Maximizing childrens physical activity: An evaluability assessment to plan a community-based, multi-strategy approach in an ethno-racially and socio-economically diverse city. Health Promotion International, 18, 199-208.
This workbook is designed to help a community evaluate the inclusiveness and accessibility of the community. It also discusses how to work together - with the involvement of community memmbers - to set goals for improvement.
A hard copy is also available in the Centre library: Population Groups--Persons with a Disability (filing cabinet).
If you promote walking for health, you'll want to check out this website.
The Paths for All Partnership represents 20 Scottish organizations.
These organizations have partnered to develop paths for recreation, health and well-being, strengthening communities, sustainable transport and economic development.
This site offers you:
Outdoor Access: Advocates for and provides support for creating pathways in your community.
Pathways to Health: Provides information and tools on the health benefits of walking.
pdf file, 73 pages Published: 2002 GeoOrigin: International
Evaluation is a key component of physical activity programs and initiatives. This handbook can help you to learn about resources and successful strategies and to develop future plans.
This handbook outlines six steps for agencies and community-based organizations to evaluate their physical activity programs.
The website's tools, examples and resources will help your evaluation process.
315 pages Published: 1998 GeoOrigin: International
This is a textbook that makes use of principles and concepts from the fields of epidemiology, demography, sociology, and anthropology and is organized around the key objectives of measuring the health status of populations, assessing population health risks and inferring causation, and planning and evaluating population health interventions.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Health/Well-being--Population Health, ID #353
pdf file, 12 pages Published: Mar 2006 GeoOrigin: Alberta
Two recent major surveys have examined physical activity levels in Alberta:
the 2002 Alberta Survey on Physical Activity conducted by the Alberta Centre for Active Living (2002) reported that 57% of Albertans were active;
the 2002 Canadian Community Health Survey, a national survey conducted by Statistics Canada (2006) that includes provincial data, reported that 52% of Albertans were at least moderately active.
Based on the 2002 results, there is up to a 5% difference in results between the surveys. This report looks at the main reasons for this difference. An Executive Summary is also included.
This 2007 Capacity Study from the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute focuses on physical activity in the workplace. It includes information on policies, evaluation, barriers, benefits, and motivating and supporting employees to adopt an active lifestyle.
A great report for policy and decision-makers who would like to know more about workplace initiatives.
