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Papers by Rick Petosa

American Journal of Health Education

Journal of Adolescent Health

Adolescent obesity is a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality, yet amenable to modifiable... more Adolescent obesity is a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality, yet amenable to modifiable behaviors. To accurately summarize the effects of behavioral interventions on changes in adolescent body mass index and/or weight status, we assessed existing systematic reviews for reporting transparency and methodological quality. Five databases were searched through September 2017 to identify relevant systematic reviews. Reviews were evaluated for reporting transparency and methodological quality using PRISMA Reporting Checklist and Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews Instrument. Evidence was synthesized across high-quality reviews. Four of twelve systematic reviews were of high methodological quality. All four focused on the treatment of overweight/obesity in adolescent populations, representing 97 international studies. Findings indicate intervention compared with no intervention/wait list showed larger effects for improving BMI/BMI z-scores. Small improvements (averaging a 3.7-kg decrease) in weight/weight percentile were observed following a supervised exercise plus dietary and/or behavior support intervention. Health-related quality of life may improve following interventions, but overall attention to associated psychological variables (depression, self-esteem/perception) is limited. Adherence to objective checklists and protocols for rigorous conduct and reporting of systematic reviews is warranted. Consensus evidence is urgently needed to define and report behavior change interventions related to obesity prevention and treatment.

The Journal of School Nursing

Despite national guidelines for regular physical activity, most adolescents are not physically ac... more Despite national guidelines for regular physical activity, most adolescents are not physically active. Schools serve an estimated 60 million youth and provide an educational environment to meet the current physical activity guidelines. The obesity epidemic and chronic disease comorbidities associated with physical inactivity are not likely to be reversed without a strong contribution from local schools. This article describes how a structured peer-mentoring method provides a feasible, flexible, and tailored means to meet the current guidelines for best practice in a school setting. Structured peer mentoring using trained high school mentors to support behavior change in younger peers is an innovative method to meeting the School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity. Through structured peer mentoring, adolescents are provided consistent social support in a caring and personalized manner. This support builds skills and competencies enhancing self-efficacy to sustain a lifetime of physical activity behavior. Keywords exercise; mentoring; obesity; best practices/practice guidelines; health education; school nursing Despite national guidelines for regular physical activity, most adolescents are not physically active (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2011). Current guidelines and scientific evidence for best practices to prevent obesity and obesity comorbidities such as heart disease, cancers, and diabetes recommend at least 60 min of moderate to vigorous daily physical activity (CDC, 2011; Institute of Medicine, 2012). A review of 50 studies focused on youth concluded that regular physical activity improves academic achievement, academic behavior, and cognitive skills including concentration and memory (CDC, 2010). Despite these health and academic benefits, recent data suggest that only 27% of high school students reported 60 min of daily physical activity every day during the past week, while 14% reported no physical activity in the past week, and less than half (48%) of high school students attend any physical education classes in the average week (CDC, 2010, 2013).

Psychology, health & medicine, 2016

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the preliminary effect of a behavioral intervent... more The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the preliminary effect of a behavioral intervention on the use of self-regulation strategies and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes. 23 individuals recruited from ResearchMatc.org and campus advertisements were randomized into an intervention (n = 12) and control (n = 11) group. The intervention group received a behavioral intervention that used goal setting, time management, and self-monitoring to target dimensions of self-regulation and MVPA. The control received information regarding their PA habits. MVPA was measured via BodyMedia Armbands at pre- and post-test. The use of self-regulatory strategies for MVPA was assessed at pretest and posttest using the Self-Regulation for Exercise Scale. Cohen's d effect sizes were calculated to determine the practical impact of the intervention. The intervention had a large effect on all dimensions of self-regulation across time...

Journal of Health Education Association For the Advancement of Health Education, Dec 31, 1992

Abstract When choosing a smoking cessation program for an organizational setting or for client re... more Abstract When choosing a smoking cessation program for an organizational setting or for client referral, health educators have a large number of programs available to them, making selecting a program difficult. Understanding the components and characteristics of these programs can make the choice much easier. The purpose of this article is to provide a descriptive analysis of 13 nationally available smoking cessation programs. This analysis was conducted by the primary researcher through use of a review form, tested for content validity, developed by the researcher. The program review was conducted by analyzing program materials sent by the sponsoring organization, by interviewing a representative of the organization, or both. Guidelines for conducting a needs assessment prior to choosing a smoking cessation program also are provided. This information, in combination with the descriptive analysis, can be used as a guide for program selection.

Handbook of Program Development for Health Behavior Research and Practice, 2001

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Take Control intervention to pr... more The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Take Control intervention to promote days of physical activity among adults in a targeted neighborhood, as compared to a standard education intervention (Just Move). A quasi-experimental, non-equivalent comparison group research design was used. The Take Control intervention was based on the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). Specifically the constructs of self-regulation, self-efficacy and social support were targeted. Participants in the Take Control intervention received at their home, a series of self-guided worksheets that were tailored to address a specific SCT construct. Both programs were a six-week, home-based intervention that was designed to increase days of moderate and vigorous activity among adults. The study revealed that both groups significantly improved days of physical activity from pretest to posttest. Of the three SCT constructs targeted, only self-regulation increased from pretest to posttest. This s...

Health values

Social learning theory has had a major impact on the recent development of adolescent health prom... more Social learning theory has had a major impact on the recent development of adolescent health promotion programs. By expanding traditional, knowledge-based curricula to address social, psychological and environmental factors associated with the development of health-related actions, the effectiveness of health education programs can be increased. Rigorous evaluations of these innovative programs provide a research base for the development of a comprehensive health promotion model. This paper describes recent developments in the psychosocial approach to adolescent health behavior. The paper concludes with a proposed definition of health promotion and a comprehensive model of health promotion derived from both theory and research. This review underscores the importance of theory for: contributing to the development of progressively more sophisticated health education programs deriving meaningful conclusions from the evaluation of these programs.

AIDS education and prevention : official publication of the International Society for AIDS Education, 1990

The purpose of this study was to conduct an educational diagnosis for AIDS prevention among schoo... more The purpose of this study was to conduct an educational diagnosis for AIDS prevention among school age adolescents. The Health Belief Model was used as a conceptual framework to analyze adolescent beliefs that may influence HIV risk behavior. A statewide, stratified random sample of 7th, 9th, and 11th grade students was drawn during the Spring of 1988. Results reveal that adolescents' knowledge of AIDS and HIV transmission is superficial. Many adolescents hold serious misconceptions that could lead to unintentional risk behavior. High levels of fear were reported, yet students clearly misunderstood the seriousness of AIDS. Barriers to preventive actions were identified. Recommendations are made to increase the effectiveness of school-based HIV education.

American Journal of Health Education, 2014

ABSTRACT Background: The independent association between sedentary behavior (SB) and physical act... more ABSTRACT Background: The independent association between sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) is such that, regardless of accumulated PA, high amounts of SB are detrimental to health, even in adolescents. Purpose: Our aim was to profile activity patterns in free-living environments and to measure levels of SB and light (LT) and moderate (MOD) PA in obese adolescents via accelerometry. Methods: Participants wore Actical accelerometers on the right hip for at least 5 days, from 07:00 am to 11:00 pm. The number of minutes per hour of sedentary, LT, MOD, and vigorous (VIG) activity was calculated using established cut-points. Sixteen subjects (5 males, 11 females;14.8 ± 1.5 years) recorded at least 3 weekdays and 2 weekend days of accelerometry data. Results: Subjects spent a majority of time with SB (727.6 ± 101.2 min/d), followed by LT (212.4 ± 91.6 min/d) and MOD PA (20.5 ± 23.1 min/d). Subjects spent 75.6% of their waking day with SB. Discussion: In addition to low levels of PA, obese adolescents accumulated a substantial number of SB minutes. Translation to Health Education Practice: Minutes of SB are high among obese adolescents. Health educators should design interventions to reduce SB as a complement to programs designed to increase PA.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2005

Journal of School Health, 1988

recent survey revealed a 117% increase in reported A school censorship incidents between 1982 and... more recent survey revealed a 117% increase in reported A school censorship incidents between 1982 and 1986.' One estimate suggests that for every case reported, 50 remain unreported.* Censorship threatens the integrity of the curricular process and ultimately the viability of school health education. It also compromises intellectual freedom, a crucial element in developing an informed citizenry capable of independent thought. Controversy that pits the community against schools produces lasting, negative effects. Likely outcomes from loss of public confidence and support are crisis management by administrators and teachers subject to undue public scrutiny. This commentary identifies tactics and effects of educational censorship and proposes methods for dealing constructively with these pressures. Censorship constitutes a potent force in compromising the quality of curricula, and educators have an obligation to prevent censorship from adversely affecting their professional practice. THE TYRANNY OF MEDIOCRITY Efforts to reform education call for improved student performance amid competing demands from diverse interest groups. Curricula expand while resources stagnate or erode. Schools are caught in a crossfire as the nation struggles to establish ideological bearings in an increasingly complex political environment. From one perspective, schools are attacked as antiGod, antimoral, antifamily, and anti-American. From another perspective, protests derive from concerns related to sexual and racial stereotypes and other aspects of equity. Some groups seem intent on promoting their position without considering schools' responsibilities to the total community, In this context, fear becomes a powerful weapon. Censors subvert the democratic decision-making process by placing school personnel in compromising positions. Consequently, teachers accept political restraint on what and how they teach to avoid confrontations, Studies indicate that new faculty and student teachers are counseled to avoid controversy and present only the fact^."^,^ Rather than focus on educational excellence, teachers practice defensive instruction.

Journal of School Health, 1986

School health education programs are based on the assumption that health status is influenced by ... more School health education programs are based on the assumption that health status is influenced by personal health practices. Health instruction cannot have a favorable impact on all factors influencing personal health behavior, so an effort must be made to determine which skills enhance health behavior for most individuals. Self-management skills can help individuals make behavioral changes consistent with their health-related decisions. This article describes several self-management skills and offers suggestions f o r teaching behavioral self-management.

The International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 1991

The purpose of this study was to use the Health Belief Model as a conceptual framework to examine... more The purpose of this study was to use the Health Belief Model as a conceptual framework to examine the HIV education needs of seventh, ninth, and eleventh grade students. A statewide stratified random sample was drawn during the Spring of 1988. Results reveal serious misconceptions regarding HIV transmission and the nature of AIDS. High levels of fear of AIDS were reported. While students perceive themselves to be highly susceptible to AIDS they clearly misunderstand the seriousness of the disease. Barriers to preventive actions and social pressures to increase risk were reported. Based on the results specific recommendations regarding the design of effective AIDS education are offered.

Medicine & Science in Sports & …, 1997

This study assessed the reliability and validity of the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PD... more This study assessed the reliability and validity of the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR), a self-report instrument designed to measure physical activity in youth. Subjects were randomly selected students in grades 7-12. Test-retest reliability was reported as the correlation between estimated relative energy expenditures determined from two PDPAR administrations completed within 1 h. Interrater reliability was determined by two observers using the scoring protocol. Validity was assessed using footstrikes (pedometer), Caltrac activity counts, and heart rate monitoring as criterion measures. Interrater and test-retest reliability was 0.99 and 0.98, respectively (P < 0.01). The correlation between relative energy expenditure from the PDPAR (kcal•kg l•d) and pedometer and Caltrac counts was 0.88 (P < 0.01) and 0.77(P < 0.01), respectively. The correlation between percentage heart rate range (HR-HR) and mean energy expenditure from the PDPAR was 0.53 (P < 0.01). The correlation between 1-min heart rates > 50% HRR sustained for 20 min and the number of 30-min blocks with a relative energy expenditure of at least four metabolic equivalent tasks(MET) was 0.63 (P < 0.01). The PDPAR provides valid and reliable estimates of physical activity and also accurately identifies bouts of moderate to vigorous activity.

Journal of School Health, 1986

Health Risk Appraisals (HRAs) use personal risk assessment as an educational approach to encourag... more Health Risk Appraisals (HRAs) use personal risk assessment as an educational approach to encourage adoption of positive health-related behavior. An individual's behavior and health history are compared to morbidity and mortality tables to estimate a level of personal risk. Current trends suggest HRAs will continue to be popular with school health educators. Appropriate use of HRAs requires an understanding of the assumptions, interpretations, and limitations of these instruments. This article reviews the development, validity, and reliability of HRA methodology. The educational usefulness of HRAs designed for school-age populations is examined. Recommendations are offered to optimize the instructional benefits of HRAs while minimizing potential deficiencies.

American Journal of Health Education

Journal of Adolescent Health

Adolescent obesity is a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality, yet amenable to modifiable... more Adolescent obesity is a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality, yet amenable to modifiable behaviors. To accurately summarize the effects of behavioral interventions on changes in adolescent body mass index and/or weight status, we assessed existing systematic reviews for reporting transparency and methodological quality. Five databases were searched through September 2017 to identify relevant systematic reviews. Reviews were evaluated for reporting transparency and methodological quality using PRISMA Reporting Checklist and Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews Instrument. Evidence was synthesized across high-quality reviews. Four of twelve systematic reviews were of high methodological quality. All four focused on the treatment of overweight/obesity in adolescent populations, representing 97 international studies. Findings indicate intervention compared with no intervention/wait list showed larger effects for improving BMI/BMI z-scores. Small improvements (averaging a 3.7-kg decrease) in weight/weight percentile were observed following a supervised exercise plus dietary and/or behavior support intervention. Health-related quality of life may improve following interventions, but overall attention to associated psychological variables (depression, self-esteem/perception) is limited. Adherence to objective checklists and protocols for rigorous conduct and reporting of systematic reviews is warranted. Consensus evidence is urgently needed to define and report behavior change interventions related to obesity prevention and treatment.

The Journal of School Nursing

Despite national guidelines for regular physical activity, most adolescents are not physically ac... more Despite national guidelines for regular physical activity, most adolescents are not physically active. Schools serve an estimated 60 million youth and provide an educational environment to meet the current physical activity guidelines. The obesity epidemic and chronic disease comorbidities associated with physical inactivity are not likely to be reversed without a strong contribution from local schools. This article describes how a structured peer-mentoring method provides a feasible, flexible, and tailored means to meet the current guidelines for best practice in a school setting. Structured peer mentoring using trained high school mentors to support behavior change in younger peers is an innovative method to meeting the School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity. Through structured peer mentoring, adolescents are provided consistent social support in a caring and personalized manner. This support builds skills and competencies enhancing self-efficacy to sustain a lifetime of physical activity behavior. Keywords exercise; mentoring; obesity; best practices/practice guidelines; health education; school nursing Despite national guidelines for regular physical activity, most adolescents are not physically active (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2011). Current guidelines and scientific evidence for best practices to prevent obesity and obesity comorbidities such as heart disease, cancers, and diabetes recommend at least 60 min of moderate to vigorous daily physical activity (CDC, 2011; Institute of Medicine, 2012). A review of 50 studies focused on youth concluded that regular physical activity improves academic achievement, academic behavior, and cognitive skills including concentration and memory (CDC, 2010). Despite these health and academic benefits, recent data suggest that only 27% of high school students reported 60 min of daily physical activity every day during the past week, while 14% reported no physical activity in the past week, and less than half (48%) of high school students attend any physical education classes in the average week (CDC, 2010, 2013).

Psychology, health & medicine, 2016

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the preliminary effect of a behavioral intervent... more The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the preliminary effect of a behavioral intervention on the use of self-regulation strategies and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes. 23 individuals recruited from ResearchMatc.org and campus advertisements were randomized into an intervention (n = 12) and control (n = 11) group. The intervention group received a behavioral intervention that used goal setting, time management, and self-monitoring to target dimensions of self-regulation and MVPA. The control received information regarding their PA habits. MVPA was measured via BodyMedia Armbands at pre- and post-test. The use of self-regulatory strategies for MVPA was assessed at pretest and posttest using the Self-Regulation for Exercise Scale. Cohen's d effect sizes were calculated to determine the practical impact of the intervention. The intervention had a large effect on all dimensions of self-regulation across time...

Journal of Health Education Association For the Advancement of Health Education, Dec 31, 1992

Abstract When choosing a smoking cessation program for an organizational setting or for client re... more Abstract When choosing a smoking cessation program for an organizational setting or for client referral, health educators have a large number of programs available to them, making selecting a program difficult. Understanding the components and characteristics of these programs can make the choice much easier. The purpose of this article is to provide a descriptive analysis of 13 nationally available smoking cessation programs. This analysis was conducted by the primary researcher through use of a review form, tested for content validity, developed by the researcher. The program review was conducted by analyzing program materials sent by the sponsoring organization, by interviewing a representative of the organization, or both. Guidelines for conducting a needs assessment prior to choosing a smoking cessation program also are provided. This information, in combination with the descriptive analysis, can be used as a guide for program selection.

Handbook of Program Development for Health Behavior Research and Practice, 2001

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Take Control intervention to pr... more The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Take Control intervention to promote days of physical activity among adults in a targeted neighborhood, as compared to a standard education intervention (Just Move). A quasi-experimental, non-equivalent comparison group research design was used. The Take Control intervention was based on the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). Specifically the constructs of self-regulation, self-efficacy and social support were targeted. Participants in the Take Control intervention received at their home, a series of self-guided worksheets that were tailored to address a specific SCT construct. Both programs were a six-week, home-based intervention that was designed to increase days of moderate and vigorous activity among adults. The study revealed that both groups significantly improved days of physical activity from pretest to posttest. Of the three SCT constructs targeted, only self-regulation increased from pretest to posttest. This s...

Health values

Social learning theory has had a major impact on the recent development of adolescent health prom... more Social learning theory has had a major impact on the recent development of adolescent health promotion programs. By expanding traditional, knowledge-based curricula to address social, psychological and environmental factors associated with the development of health-related actions, the effectiveness of health education programs can be increased. Rigorous evaluations of these innovative programs provide a research base for the development of a comprehensive health promotion model. This paper describes recent developments in the psychosocial approach to adolescent health behavior. The paper concludes with a proposed definition of health promotion and a comprehensive model of health promotion derived from both theory and research. This review underscores the importance of theory for: contributing to the development of progressively more sophisticated health education programs deriving meaningful conclusions from the evaluation of these programs.

AIDS education and prevention : official publication of the International Society for AIDS Education, 1990

The purpose of this study was to conduct an educational diagnosis for AIDS prevention among schoo... more The purpose of this study was to conduct an educational diagnosis for AIDS prevention among school age adolescents. The Health Belief Model was used as a conceptual framework to analyze adolescent beliefs that may influence HIV risk behavior. A statewide, stratified random sample of 7th, 9th, and 11th grade students was drawn during the Spring of 1988. Results reveal that adolescents' knowledge of AIDS and HIV transmission is superficial. Many adolescents hold serious misconceptions that could lead to unintentional risk behavior. High levels of fear were reported, yet students clearly misunderstood the seriousness of AIDS. Barriers to preventive actions were identified. Recommendations are made to increase the effectiveness of school-based HIV education.

American Journal of Health Education, 2014

ABSTRACT Background: The independent association between sedentary behavior (SB) and physical act... more ABSTRACT Background: The independent association between sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) is such that, regardless of accumulated PA, high amounts of SB are detrimental to health, even in adolescents. Purpose: Our aim was to profile activity patterns in free-living environments and to measure levels of SB and light (LT) and moderate (MOD) PA in obese adolescents via accelerometry. Methods: Participants wore Actical accelerometers on the right hip for at least 5 days, from 07:00 am to 11:00 pm. The number of minutes per hour of sedentary, LT, MOD, and vigorous (VIG) activity was calculated using established cut-points. Sixteen subjects (5 males, 11 females;14.8 ± 1.5 years) recorded at least 3 weekdays and 2 weekend days of accelerometry data. Results: Subjects spent a majority of time with SB (727.6 ± 101.2 min/d), followed by LT (212.4 ± 91.6 min/d) and MOD PA (20.5 ± 23.1 min/d). Subjects spent 75.6% of their waking day with SB. Discussion: In addition to low levels of PA, obese adolescents accumulated a substantial number of SB minutes. Translation to Health Education Practice: Minutes of SB are high among obese adolescents. Health educators should design interventions to reduce SB as a complement to programs designed to increase PA.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2005

Journal of School Health, 1988

recent survey revealed a 117% increase in reported A school censorship incidents between 1982 and... more recent survey revealed a 117% increase in reported A school censorship incidents between 1982 and 1986.' One estimate suggests that for every case reported, 50 remain unreported.* Censorship threatens the integrity of the curricular process and ultimately the viability of school health education. It also compromises intellectual freedom, a crucial element in developing an informed citizenry capable of independent thought. Controversy that pits the community against schools produces lasting, negative effects. Likely outcomes from loss of public confidence and support are crisis management by administrators and teachers subject to undue public scrutiny. This commentary identifies tactics and effects of educational censorship and proposes methods for dealing constructively with these pressures. Censorship constitutes a potent force in compromising the quality of curricula, and educators have an obligation to prevent censorship from adversely affecting their professional practice. THE TYRANNY OF MEDIOCRITY Efforts to reform education call for improved student performance amid competing demands from diverse interest groups. Curricula expand while resources stagnate or erode. Schools are caught in a crossfire as the nation struggles to establish ideological bearings in an increasingly complex political environment. From one perspective, schools are attacked as antiGod, antimoral, antifamily, and anti-American. From another perspective, protests derive from concerns related to sexual and racial stereotypes and other aspects of equity. Some groups seem intent on promoting their position without considering schools' responsibilities to the total community, In this context, fear becomes a powerful weapon. Censors subvert the democratic decision-making process by placing school personnel in compromising positions. Consequently, teachers accept political restraint on what and how they teach to avoid confrontations, Studies indicate that new faculty and student teachers are counseled to avoid controversy and present only the fact^."^,^ Rather than focus on educational excellence, teachers practice defensive instruction.

Journal of School Health, 1986

School health education programs are based on the assumption that health status is influenced by ... more School health education programs are based on the assumption that health status is influenced by personal health practices. Health instruction cannot have a favorable impact on all factors influencing personal health behavior, so an effort must be made to determine which skills enhance health behavior for most individuals. Self-management skills can help individuals make behavioral changes consistent with their health-related decisions. This article describes several self-management skills and offers suggestions f o r teaching behavioral self-management.

The International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 1991

The purpose of this study was to use the Health Belief Model as a conceptual framework to examine... more The purpose of this study was to use the Health Belief Model as a conceptual framework to examine the HIV education needs of seventh, ninth, and eleventh grade students. A statewide stratified random sample was drawn during the Spring of 1988. Results reveal serious misconceptions regarding HIV transmission and the nature of AIDS. High levels of fear of AIDS were reported. While students perceive themselves to be highly susceptible to AIDS they clearly misunderstand the seriousness of the disease. Barriers to preventive actions and social pressures to increase risk were reported. Based on the results specific recommendations regarding the design of effective AIDS education are offered.

Medicine & Science in Sports & …, 1997

This study assessed the reliability and validity of the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PD... more This study assessed the reliability and validity of the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR), a self-report instrument designed to measure physical activity in youth. Subjects were randomly selected students in grades 7-12. Test-retest reliability was reported as the correlation between estimated relative energy expenditures determined from two PDPAR administrations completed within 1 h. Interrater reliability was determined by two observers using the scoring protocol. Validity was assessed using footstrikes (pedometer), Caltrac activity counts, and heart rate monitoring as criterion measures. Interrater and test-retest reliability was 0.99 and 0.98, respectively (P < 0.01). The correlation between relative energy expenditure from the PDPAR (kcal•kg l•d) and pedometer and Caltrac counts was 0.88 (P < 0.01) and 0.77(P < 0.01), respectively. The correlation between percentage heart rate range (HR-HR) and mean energy expenditure from the PDPAR was 0.53 (P < 0.01). The correlation between 1-min heart rates > 50% HRR sustained for 20 min and the number of 30-min blocks with a relative energy expenditure of at least four metabolic equivalent tasks(MET) was 0.63 (P < 0.01). The PDPAR provides valid and reliable estimates of physical activity and also accurately identifies bouts of moderate to vigorous activity.

Journal of School Health, 1986

Health Risk Appraisals (HRAs) use personal risk assessment as an educational approach to encourag... more Health Risk Appraisals (HRAs) use personal risk assessment as an educational approach to encourage adoption of positive health-related behavior. An individual's behavior and health history are compared to morbidity and mortality tables to estimate a level of personal risk. Current trends suggest HRAs will continue to be popular with school health educators. Appropriate use of HRAs requires an understanding of the assumptions, interpretations, and limitations of these instruments. This article reviews the development, validity, and reliability of HRA methodology. The educational usefulness of HRAs designed for school-age populations is examined. Recommendations are offered to optimize the instructional benefits of HRAs while minimizing potential deficiencies.