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PubMed2006

Assessment of differential item functioning for demographic comparisons in the MOS SF-36 health survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether items of the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) 36-Item Short-Form Health Status Survey (SF-36) exhibited differential item functioning (DIF) with respect to age, education, race, and gender. METHODS: The data for this study come from two large national datasets, the MOS and the 1990 National Survey of Functional Health Status (NSFHS). We used logistic regression to identify items exhibiting DIF. RESULTS: We found DIF to be most problematic for age comparisons. Items flagged for age DIF were vigorous activities, bend/kneel/stoop, bathing or dressing, limited in kind of work, health in general, get sick easier than others, expect health to get worse, felt calm and peaceful, and all four vitality items. Items flagged for education DIF include vigorous activities, health in general, health is excellent, felt calm and peaceful, and been a happy person. Vigorous activities, walk more than a mile, health in general, and expect health to get worse were identified as DIF when comparing African-Americans with whites. No items were identified for gender DIF. CONCLUSIONS: We found several consistent patterns of DIF using two national datasets with different population characteristics. In the current study, the effect of DIF rarely transferred to the scale level. Further research is needed to corroborate these results and determine qualitatively why DIF may occur for these specific items.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Routine umbilical cord blood gas determinations?

Between 1986 and 1988, 1924 term nulliparous patients with spontaneous onset of labor were studied to assess the importance of obtaining umbilical cord blood gas levels on all deliveries. The umbilical cord arterial and venous pH values (expressed as mean +/- 2 SD) were 7.24 +/- 0.14 (n = 1694) and 7.32 +/- 0.12 (n = 1820), respectively. The incidence of newborn depression (1- or 5-minute Apgar score less than 7) was 14.1%; of these depressed newborns, the incidence of normal umbilical cord arterial pH values (greater than or equal to -2 SD) was 77.8%. Of the vigorous newborns, there was a 2.1% incidence of umbilical cord arterial blood acidemia. Umbilical cord arterial blood acidemia in vigorous newborns was not highly predictive of specific morbidity in the immediate newborn period. Regression analysis demonstrated the umbilical cord arterial pH to correlate best with the Apgar scores when compared with all other arterial or venous blood gas measurements. We reached the following conclusions: (1) that obtaining cord arterial pH values in vigorous newborns should be considered since the values will provide objective documentation or normal fetal acid base balance in 98% of infants. (2) Only a cord arterial pH determination is recommended since it reflects fetal or newborn status more accurately than all other measurements. Additional measurements increase the likelihood of abnormal results and do not contribute to neonatal management. (3) An umbilical cord blood pH value is extremely useful in ruling out the diagnosis of birth asphyxia in the depressed newborn.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1980

Low-temperature spectral and kinetic properties of cytochromes in Escherichia coli K-12 grown at lowered oxygen tension.

Escherichia coli K-12 was grown in batch culture in a medium containing succinate as carbon source, supplemented with casein hydrolysate, and with a rate of oxygen supply that resulted in dissolved O2 tension falling to 10% of saturation in the latter stages of growth. Cytochromes in such cells were qualitatively indistinguishable from those present in cells grown under conditions of vigorous aeration where dissolved O2 tensin remained greater than 80% saturation. Spectra recorded at 77 K and their fourth-order finite difference analyses revealed the absence of cytochrome b-558 and only low concentrations of cytochromes a1 and d(a2). At low temperatures, the reaction of cytochrome o with O2 in intact cells, grown under lowered O2 tension, proceeds through the same stage as observed previously in cells grown with vigorous aeration (Poole, R.K., Waring, A.J. and Chance, B. (1979) Biochem. J. 184, 379-389). However, much higher temperatures are required for comparable progress of the reaction in cells grown at lowered O2 tensions. AT 91 degrees C, the reaction with O2 involves ligand binding to give intermediate(s) with spectral characteristics similar to those of the reduced oxidase-CO complex. Temperatures of approx. -79 degrees C are required for the observation of biphasic kinetics and the attainment of an 'end point' in the reaction, features that are seen at temperatures below -98 degrees C in cells from vigorously-aerated cultures. At -32.5 degrees C, oxidation of cytochrome o is observed. The energy of activation for this reaction at low temperatures is 29.9 kJ x mol-1. Binding with CO, in contrast to binding with O2, is characterized by high photolytic reversibility and appears to be less affected by the degree of aeration of cells during growth.

Cold Temperature↗
PubMed1996

Competitive exclusion between axons dependent on a single trophic substance: a mathematical analysis.

A mathematical model is presented of competition between axons for a trophic substance, such as is believed to occur particularly during development. The model is biologically realistic. The growth-stimulating activity of the trophic molecules is assumed to result from their binding to high-affinity receptors on neurons and their axons, but the model also incorporates uptake by nonneuronal cells possessing only lower affinity receptors. Plausible and fairly general assumptions are made concerning the kinetics of binding and internalization and the effects on axonal growth. The model takes into account the possibility that trophic factor production may be regulated by the afferent axons or autoregulated. The variables specified are the "axonal vigor" of each axon, representing the ability of each axon to take up trophic molecules, and the concentration of trophic molecules in the extracellular space of the axonal target region. Of the several parameters introduced, the most important turns out to be the "zero vigor-growth parameter," which is defined as the concentration of trophic molecules that gives zero growth of the vigor of a given axon. By means of a Lyapunov function, it is shown that the system will approach asymptotically to a stable equilibrium characterized by the survival of only the axon whose zero-growth parameter is lowest. Or, if several axons share the same lowest zero-growth parameter, these will all survive. The model may be particularly relevant to the elimination of polyneuronal innervation from developing muscle fibers and from autonomic ganglion cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Lymphocyte responses to purified ragweed allergens in vitro. I. Proliferative responses in normal, newborn, agammaglobulinemic, and atopic subjects.

To evaluate cell-mediated immune responsiveness to pollen allergens in atopic subjects, we studied the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthetic responses of their cultured lymphocytes to purified ragweek antigens E, K, and Ra-3. Since lymphocytes from some highly ragweed-sensitive subjects gave poor proliferative responses when harvested on day 6, we undertook a series of dose-response and time-course studies in atopic and control subjects. Surprisingly, vigorous DNA synthetic responses to antigen E occurred with lymphocytes from all 45 subjects, including 19 highly ragweed-sensitive atopic and control subjects. Surprisingly, vigorous DNA synthetic responses to antigen E occurred with lymphocytes from all 45 subjects, including 19 highly ragweed-sensitive atop adults (8 immunotherapy treated, 11 untreated); 13 nonatopic controls; 4 newborns, and 9 agammaglobulinemic patients. The geometric mean of peak response counts per minute in all 45 subjects was 21,163 and in unstimulated cultures was 2,416 (p = less than 0.0001). The mean day on which the maximal responses occurred was 8.7, and the mean dose eliciting the maximum responses was 59 mug/ml. Statistical comparisons of the stimulated culture data revealed no significant intergroup differences. The finding of vigorous responsiveness to these purified pollen allergens by lymphocytes from nonatopic normal, newborn, and agammaglobulinemic subjects suggests that ragweed pollen antigens are either ubiquitous and lead to cell-mediated responsiveness in all subjects with intact cell-mediated inmunity, or that they may have miogenic properties in addition to their known antigenic properties.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The roles of spatial recruitment and discharge frequency in spinal cord coding of pain: a combined electrophysiological and imaging investigation.

An investigation was conducted to examine both temporal and spatial factors likely to be involved in spinal cord nociceptive coding by wide cord nociceptive neurons. Three separate methodologies were employed. First, the impulse frequency responses of L4 spinal cord wide-dynamic-range (WDR) neurons to gentle mechanical stimulation, vigorous but innocuous brushing, warmth (43 degrees C), and nociceptive thermal stimuli (45-49 degrees C) were electrophysiologically characterized in unanesthetized, spinal cord-transected rats. Second, the spatial distribution of evoked activity in response to the same types of mechanical and thermal stimuli was examined utilizing the 14C-2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) metabolic mapping method in the same type of animal preparation. Finally, the contributions of impulse frequency and numbers of neurons activated to encoding the distinction between painful and non-painful sensations were directly evaluated by electrically stimulating axons within the spinal cord anterolateral quadrant (ALQ) of conscious human subjects. Electrophysiological findings revealed that vigorous but innocuous brushing produced intermediate rates of impulse discharge significantly greater than those produced by 35 and 43 degrees C stimuli, yet indistinguishable from those produced by relatively low nociceptive temperatures (45-47 degrees C). Thus, the discharge frequencies of individual dorsal horn WDR neurons alone do not provide sufficient information to encode the distinction between innocuous and low intensity nociceptive stimuli. Mapping of spinal cord activity by the 2-DG method revealed that nociceptive stimuli activated extensive rostro-caudal regions extending from L1-L5. In contrast, vigorous but innocuous brushing evoked metabolic activity that was confined to a narrow zone within L3. Thus, as predicted from previous studies, the distinction between nociceptive and non-nociceptive sensory events may be encoded, in part, by differences in the spatial distribution, and hence, the relative numbers of spinal cord neurons activated by nociceptive and innocuous stimuli. The responses of conscious human subjects to varying frequencies and intensities of electrical ALQ stimulation clarify the significance of the large numbers of spinal cord neurons activated by nociceptive stimuli. With stimulus frequency held constant at 50 Hz, low stimulus currents, sufficient to activate only small numbers of ALQ axons, produced innocuous sensations. Higher stimulus currents, sufficient to activate larger numbers of neurons, consistently produced painful sensations. Increasing ALQ stimulus frequency at currents subthreshold for pain or increasing stimulus currents at frequencies subthreshold for pain resulted in painful sensations, thus indicating that both discharge frequency and numbers of neurons activated are both important factors in the encoding of pain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Cognitive impairments and mood disturbances in growth hormone deficient men.

In order to establish whether reported psychological complaints in hypopituitary adults are related to growth hormone (GH) deficiency or other pituitary hormone deficiencies, emotional well-being and cognitive performance were evaluated in 31 men with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies (MPHD) and in 17 men with isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD). Assessments included evaluation of somatic and psychological complaints, depression, fatigue, vigor, tension, state and trait anxiety, iconic memory, short-term memory, long-term memory and perceptual-motor skill. The control group consisted of 41 healthy men, matched for age. Growth hormone secretion was more severely impaired in MPHD than in IGHD patients. Despite oral replacement therapy, MPHD patients also had lower serum testosterone levels than IGHD subjects. The MPHD patients were found to have lower vigor scores, higher state anxiety scores, worse perceptual-motor skill and worse memory performance than controls. In contrast, IGHD patients only showed subnormal memory performance. It was concluded, therefore, that the cognitive impairment in both MPHD and IGHD was related to GH deficiency. The subnormal vigor scores in MPHD patients were attributed to the reduced testosterone levels. The worse perceptual-motor skill in MPHD patients might be related specifically to ACTH deficiency. Finally, the higher state anxiety in MPHD was attributed to a low self-esteem, which may be the psychological consequence of the hypogonadal appearance these patients have. We conclude that, from a psychological point of view, MPHD and IGHD adult patients are quite distinct groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Physical activity patterns of children after neonatal arterial switch operation.

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is a major atherosclerosis risk factor. The exercise tolerance is usually excellent after neonatal arterial switch operation, but those patients in whom coronary anomalies remain the main late complication, risk developing atherosclerotic coronary disease owing to perceived physical activity restrictions. METHODS: We investigated physical activity patterns of 52 unselected children 7 to 14 years after neonatal arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries by 24-hour continuous heart rate monitoring. The percentage of heart rate reserve was used to measure the amounts of activities. Comparisons were made with 35 children with repaired atrial or ventricular septal defect and with 127 age-matched healthy children. RESULTS: Children after arterial switch operation accumulated 167.3 +/- 70.6, 25.3 +/- 12.9, and 15.7 +/- 11.3 minutes a day (mean +/- SD) of light, moderate, and vigorous physical activities, respectively. At the same activity levels, children with repaired septal defect accumulated 165.2 +/- 82.2, 26.2 +/- 11.7, and 16.2 +/- 9.1 minutes a day, and their healthy peers 164.8 +/- 74.5, 31.8 +/- 13.9, and 21.9 +/- 11.3 minutes a day. Both cardiac groups were significantly less active than the control group when considering moderate (p = 0.026) and vigorous activities (p = 0.006). Only 19% and 27% of the children after arterial switch operation engaged, respectively, in more than 30 minutes a day of moderate activity and 20 minutes a day of vigorous activity. CONCLUSIONS: Children after arterial switch operation, just like other cardiac children, do not meet the guidelines for physical activity. We should encourage regular physical activity to offset adult sedentary behavior and to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in those patients whose long-term function of the coronary arteries remains a matter of concern.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2006

Daily physical activity related to body fat in children aged 8-11 years.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between objectively measured daily physical activity and body fat. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, observational, study of 248 children aged 7.9 to 11.1 years. Abdominal fat mass and total body fat mass were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Daily physical activity was assessed by accelerometers for 4 days. RESULTS: Total body fat expressed as a percentage of body mass was inversely related to minutes of vigorous physical activity per day, for all children r = -0.38 (P < .05). Children, both boys and girls, in the highest quartile of body fat performed on average 12 minutes less vigorous activity per day compared with their counterparts in the lowest quartile. Multiple regression analysis revealed that independent factors for body fat were number of minutes of vigorous activity per day and sex. CONCLUSION: Low physical activity can be a contributing factor in childhood obesity. Only longitudinal studies, however, can give more definitive information about the relation between daily physical activity and obesity.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2005

The effect of multicolor playground markings on children's physical activity level during recess.

BACKGROUND: British children do not meet daily physical activity recommendations, and as yet no sustainable intervention has been reported to address their sedentary lifestyle. The purpose of this investigation was twofold: First, to examine whether painting playgrounds with multicolored markings would increase the percent of recess time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) in girls and boys and second to quantify the contribution recess makes to national recommendations for young people's physical activity. METHODS: MVPA and vigorous physical activity (VPA) were measured using short wave heart rate telemetry. Physical activity levels were compared before and after playgrounds were painted in 4 intervention schools and compared to 4 matched schools with unmarked playgrounds. Schools were situated in areas of deprivation. Ninety-nine children completed the study. RESULTS: A significant interaction (group x time) was evident for MVPA and VPA. Time spent in MVPA and VPA increased significantly in intervention schools as a result of playground painting. Boys were more active than girls, and activity decreased with age, but neither difference reached significance. CONCLUSION: Multicolor playground markings can be a low-cost method of increasing children's daily physical activity levels in the short term. If these increases were sustained, then school playgrounds with multicolor markings would make a valuable contribution to physical activity recommendations for young people.

Child↗
PubMed1996

Umbilical cord blood acid-base state: what is normal?

OBJECTIVE: Umbilical cord blood gases and acid-base data from vigorous neonates were examined to determine normal values and ranges. STUDY DESIGN: The University of California, San Francisco, Perinatal Data Base was used to retrieve information from deliveries between 1977 and 1993. Newborns with 5-minute Apgar scores > or = 7 were selected because it is generally accepted that a vigorous newborn has not had substantial intrapartum asphyxia lasting until delivery. RESULTS: Full blood gas and obstetric data were available for 16,060 newborns. Of these, 15,073 (94%) had a 5-minute Apgar score > or = 7. The median umbilical artery values, with 2.5th percentile values in parenthesis, were pH 7.26 (7.10), PCO2 52 mm Hg (74), base excess -4 mEq x L(-1) (-11), and PO2 177 mm Hg (6). Although the distributions were skewed, the mean +/- 2 SDs were similar to these values. Data for these babies were further analyzed by method of delivery, gestational age, presentation, and presence of thick meconium. Although the means were significantly different in all groups, the differences between groups were relatively small. CONCLUSION: A wide range of acid-base values were found in babies with normal Apgar scores, defining the "physiologic acidemia" of the normal vigorous newborn.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed2002

Dual regulatory role of human cytomegalovirus immediate-early protein in IL1B transcription is dependent upon Spi-1/PU.1.

Activation of IL1B gene transcription has been shown to play a crucial role in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. We previously reported that HCMV immediate-early (IE) proteins vigorously transactivate IL1B expression without the need for a normally essential upstream enhancer. This activation appears to depend upon protein-protein tethering between IE2, which provides a transcription activation domain (TAD), and the DNA-binding domain of the transcription factor Spi-1. We now show a distinct mechanism by which IE1 and IE2 mediate both weak Spi-1-independent and vigorous Spi-1-dependent IL1B transcription from the -59 to +12 IL1B core promoter. These results demonstrate that in contrast to non-viral, enhancer-mediated, transactivation of IL1B, the IE mechanism is not absolutely dependent upon Spi-1. However, Spi-1 is required for vigorous transcription. Additionally, we have discovered that IE1, which cooperates with IE2 to transactivate IL1B, has minimal activity in the absence of IE2 and Spi-1. Furthermore, IE1 is a dual-acting factor, which can either activate or repress IL1B, depending on the presence of both IE2 and the Spi-1 TADs. Therefore, the relative expression of IE1 and IE2, which varies during HCMV infection, may provide a molecular mechanism by which IL1B can be repressed, thus, avoiding clearance by the host.

Cytomegalovirus↗
PubMed1990

Influence of early feeding style on adiposity at 6 years of age.

In a previous study we found that a vigorous infant feeding style measured in the laboratory at 2 and 4 weeks of age predicted the degree of adiposity at 1 and 2 years of age. A follow-up of this cohort of infants at 3 and 6 years of age is now reported. Factors predicting adiposity, measured by body mass index at 3 years of age, were pressure of suckling, with high-pressure sucking (denoting a vigorous feeding style) associated with greater adiposity, and time of introduction of solid food, with delayed introduction of solid food or breast-feeding longer than 5 months, or both, being associated with greater adiposity. Predictive factors at 6 years of age were adiposity at birth, with greater adiposity at birth predicting greater fatness at 6 years, parental education, with less education associated with fatness, and a prolonged period of breast-feeding with delayed introduction of solid food. These factors accounted for 40.4% of the variance in adiposity at 3 years of age and 31.2% at 6 years. The effects of social learning on body mass index, indicated by parental educational level, appear to strengthen over time, whereas the effects of the vigorous feeding style wane.

Body Height↗
PubMed1999

Adolescent physical activity and inactivity vary by ethnicity: The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the extent to which physical activity and inactivity patterns vary by ethnicity among subpopulations of US adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: Nationally representative data from the 1996 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health of >14,000 US adolescents (including 3135 non-Hispanic blacks, 2446 Hispanics, and 976 Asians). METHODS: Hours per week of inactivity (TV viewing, playing video or computer games) and times per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity were collected by using questionnaire data. Multinomial logistic regression models of physical activity and inactivity were used to adjust for sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Large ethnic differences are seen for inactivity, particularly for hours of television or video viewing per week (non-Hispanic blacks, mean = 20.4; non-Hispanic whites, mean = 13.1). Physical activity (>/=5 bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, 5-8 metabolic equivalents) is lowest for female and minority adolescents. Ethnic differences are far greater for inactivity than for moderate to vigorous physical activity. CONCLUSION: Minority adolescents, with the exception of Asian females, have consistently higher levels of inactivity. Results vary by sex; males have higher inactivity and physical activity, whereas lowest physical activity is found for non-Hispanic black and Asian females, although Asian females also have low inactivity and low levels of overweight. Overall, efforts to reduce the problem of adolescent overweight should focus on increasing activity levels of adolescents, particularly female, older, and major minority subpopulations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Quality of canine semen submitted to single or fractionated glycerol addition during the freezing process.

Glycerol is the cryoprotector most frequently used to freeze semen from different species. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of single and fractionated glycerol addition on canine semen quality after thawing. Sperm fractions from 12 stud dogs were collected, evaluated, extended in Tris plus egg-yolk and separated into two aliquots to which glycerol was added in one step (single) or in three steps at 5-min intervals (fractionated). Semen was frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen and thawed after 1 week. A thermoresistance test was performed over a period of 120 min at 37-39 degrees C to evaluate the percentage of mobile spermatozoa (motility) and the status of motility (vigor) after thawing. There were no significant differences between the two methods of glycerol addition-immediately after thawing, and during the thermoresistance test-in sperm motility, vigor or morphology. A significant reduction in motility and vigor was found at 15 min after thawing and these parameters continued to decline until 120 min. In conclusion, glycerol can be added to canine semen in single or fractionated manner, but the single addition method is the easiest and the most practical to use.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Effects of ultrahigh dilutions of 3,5-dichlorophenol on the luminescence of the bacterium Vibrio fischeri.

There is a great need for research in the field of homeopathy for laboratory test systems to investigate the actions of ultrahighly diluted biological effectors. With this in mind, we used the luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri, which is used throughout the world in testing water quality. Luminescence inhibition is utilized as a test parameter for the toxicity of a sample. We used ultrahigh dilutions (UHD) of 3,5-dichlorophenol as effector and adapted the standard test procedure for water toxicity in a way that let us evaluate very minute effects. Three groups of samples were prepared and then blinded: 45 dilutions of 3,5-dichlorophenol in steps of 10, starting with 4.2 x 10(-2) M, with vigorous shaking between dilution steps; 45 identical dilutions of 3,5-dichlorophenol without vigorous shaking; and 49 control samples of the diluent. The results of, and the discussion based on, a thorough statistical analysis led to the conclusion that an effect based on UHD, which results in an inhibition of luminescence of less than 1.5%, can be confirmed for some of the potency samples. There were both effective and ineffective samples in the three sample groups. The size of the effect was very small (ca. 1.5%), though statistically significant. The number of effective samples was significantly higher among the vigorously shaken samples than among the controls and the unshaken samples (14, 6 and 7 effective samples, respectively).

Chlorophenols↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Exercise effects on withdrawal and mood among women attempting smoking cessation.

This study investigated both acute and longer term ("chronic") effects of vigorous exercise training on affect, nicotine withdrawal, and cigarette craving among women enrolled in a smoking cessation research study. All subjects participated in a 12-week cognitive behavioral smoking cessation program and were randomly assigned to attend three sessions per week of either a vigorous exercise program or contact control. Measures of positive and negative affect, cigarette craving, and nicotine withdrawal were administered immediately before, and again immediately after the final exercise or contact session each week of the program. Study I enrolled 24 women who had been assigned to the exercise condition. Significant reductions in negative affect, nicotine withdrawal and cigarette craving were observed following exercise most weeks of the program. No significant changes in positive affect were observed. In Study II this protocol was repeated among 62 women (44 exercise, 18 contact control) in two consecutive cohorts of the larger study. Significant reduction were observed in negative affect, nicotine withdrawal and cigarette craving during most weeks of the program among exercise subjects but not contact condition subjects. No chronic (baseline to posttreatment) changes in positive or negative affect, cigarette craving or withdrawal symptoms were observed in either study. Vigorous exercise appears to produce acute improvements in withdrawal symptoms, cigarette craving, and negative affect among sedentary women attempting to quit smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Personal, social, and physical environmental correlates of physical activity in rural African-American women in Alabama.

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is prevalent among African-American women in rural Alabama. The purpose of this study was to explore personal, social, and physical environmental factors associated with activity to help plan interventions. METHODS: As part of the Women's Cardiovascular Health Network Project, telephone surveys were collected from African-American women residing in three rural counties. The women reported the number of minutes engaged in moderate or vigorous activities and were categorized into the following groups: (1) inactive (no moderate or vigorous activities), (2) insufficient (not meeting recommendations), and (3) meets recommendations (engaged in moderate activity five times per week for at least 30 minutes or vigorous activity three times per week for at least 20 minutes). Logistic regression modeling was used to identify personal, social, and physical environmental factors associated with the more active groups. RESULTS: Among the 567 women who were classified in physical activity groups, 221 (39%) met the recommendations, 260 (46%) were insufficiently active, and 86 (15%) were inactive. In the adjusted model, the social environmental factors associated with women meeting the recommendations (versus inactive) were attending religious services and seeing people exercise in the neighborhood. Attending religious services, knowing people who exercise, and a higher social issue score were associated with women who reported any activity (versus inactive). No physical environmental factors were associated with the more active groups. CONCLUSIONS: Social environmental factors were associated with higher levels of activity and need to be considered when planning interventions. More research is needed to identify associations between specific aspects of the social environment and physical activity behaviors.

Black or African American↗