Carolyn Voorhees

• Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG)
  Current (2000-09-30 - 2006-09-29)
  NHLBI
  Abstract

  Physical activity (PA) has multiple physical and mental health benefits during youth, but most adolescents do not meet PA guidelines. In most studies, girls are less active than boys, and girls' PA declines dramatically during adolescence. The purpose of the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG) is to test the effectiveness of a multi component school-based and community-linked intervention to prevent the decline in PA and cardiopulmonary fitness in girls. TAAG is a collaborative multi-center study, and the present team from two universities in San Diego, CA, submits this proposal for a Field Center. The team has extensive experience in virtually all areas of the proposed study. We propose intervention and measurement methods, but the final methods will be based on Steering Committee decisions and pilot studies in Phase 1. Each Field Center will recruit six "sets" consisting of middle schools (grades 6-8) with at least two nearby community agencies. "Sets" matched on demographic characteristics will be randomly assigned to intervention or control conditions. Approximately 140 sixth grade girls will be recruited from each middle school and will be measured in the 6th through 9th grades. A multi component intervention is proposed that is consistent with an ecological model of behavior change. School-based interventions will include: improved physical education (PE), more supervision for PA throughout the school day, and health education modules supplemented with homework, parent materials, and a computer-based assessment and behavior change program. Community agencies will be assisted to increase PA programs for girls at their facilities and at schools. Mentors and web-based chat rooms will provide targeted and ongoing social support for girls. Girls' input will be sought in the development and formative testing of all program components. Primary outcome measures collected each Spring are proposed as the PWC170 fitness test, the CSA accelerometer activity monitor, and a validated self-report of PA. Secondary outcomes will be assessed by direct observation of PE and leisure settings, anthropometrics, school records, and student self-report. Assessment of hypothesized intervention mediators and quality of implementation of all intervention components will enhance understanding of intervention effects.

• The relationship among availability of healthy foods, body mass index and dietary patterns in urban adolescents
  Current (2006-02-01 - 2008-02-01)
  RWJF
  Abstract

  This project will examine the interaction between physical activity and dietary intake, if an interaction exists. It will use calculated BMI measures and relate these to individual-level dietary patterns. This study complements a current Active Living Research grant which is studying adolescent physical activity and the urban environment. This supplemental project will enable nutrition, physical activity, environment, and individual behaviors to be combined in the same statistical model.

• Adolescent Physical Activity in an Urban Environment
  Current (2005-01-01 - 2008-12-31)
  RWJF
  Abstract

  This grant supports a study that investigates the relationship among personal, social, physical, environmental, and community characteristics and out-of-school activity for predominantly urban African-American students in grades 9 to 12, recruited from two Baltimore City Magnet High Schools. The aims of this study are to: (1) determine the relationship among the total, weekday, or weekend out-of-school activity and a number of neighborhood-level environmental characteristics including, but not limited to, safety (perceived crime/safety or objective violent crime), street layout/design, land use or mix of adolescent-targeted commercial/retail establishments in students' residential area, population density, community income, and access to parks and recreational facilities; and (2) determine whether activity levels are associated with a number of community characteristics.

• Obesity and the Transition Between Home and College
  Pending (2007-06-01 - 2010-05-31)
  NCI
  

• Community Characteristics and Physical Activity in Adolescent girls
  Ended (2002-08-01 - 2006-07-31)
  RAND