Blueprint Partners Progress Newsletter: May 2006

In This Issue

National Senior Health & Fitness Day: May 31
New NCPAD Personal Trainers Database
What Do Americans Think about Aging?
Nursing Home Risk Develops in Middle Age
States’ Obesity Problem is Underestimated
People with Arthritis are Less Likely to be Physically Active
Intervention Generates Interest in Physical Activity Programs
Upcoming Events: August-October

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National Senior Health & Fitness Day
On May 31, 150,000 older adults will participate in activities at over 1,000 U.S. locations.

New NCPAD Personal Trainers Database
The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability has developed a new online directory of personal trainers who work with clients with disabilities and health conditions. Users can search for trainers by state or zip code. Personal trainers can request a form to be added to the directory.

What Do Americans Think About Aging?
Research! America and Parade asked a cross-section of 1,000 people about their attitudes regarding aging. In the survey, 50 percent said that being active/energetic/busy is the one thing that makes them think of a person as being “young.” Only 13 percent said appearance dictates the age of a person. In answer to the question: What one thing makes you think of a person as being “old,” 30 percent said physical problems and limitations, 15 percent said mental problems and limitations, and 13 percent said incapable of self-care.

Nursing Home Risk Develops in Middle Age
Long before individuals would even think about their need for nursing home care, their lifestyle choices could significantly increase the risk of nursing home placement later in life, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (May 8, 2006). Researchers at Rutgers University found that even after health factors were taken into consideration, certain modifiable lifestyle factors including smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes significantly increased this risk. The study showed that for persons age 45-64, diabetes tripled their risk of admission to a nursing home in the next 20 years. (Reuters)
archinte.ama-assn.org

States’ Obesity Problem is Underestimated
State statistics on obesity may be inaccurate, underestimating the problem, according to a study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (May 2006). State stats are collected by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BFRSS), which asks participants to give their height and weight over the phone. Researchers found that young and middle-aged women typically reported a lower weight than what they actually weighed, and men tended to overestimate their height. When comparing the BFRSS data with national data which includes a physical exam to verify weight, researchers found that every state’s obesity problem was underestimated. (Reuters)
www.jrsm.org

People with Arthritis are Less Likely to be Physically Active
In a national health survey of 27,000 adults, people with arthritis were less likely than the average American to exercise at recommended physical activity levels, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (May 2006). Among the people with arthritis, 37 percent reported that they get no exercise in their daily lives. Those with no access to a fitness center due to the expense or lack of transportation, and those with multiple physical limitations were most likely to be sedentary. (Reuters)

Intervention Generates Interest in Physical Activity Programs
In a study to determine how to promote physical activity program attendance in independent living facilities, researchers assigned study participants to a brief tailored cognitive-behavioral feedback session designed to generate interest, or to a program which was promoted only through information. Findings showed that 20 of the 38 participants attended the program following the intervention and only five of the 41 participants attended programs that were advertised in the standard way.
(Mihalko, S., Wickley, K., & Sharpe, B. (2006, January). Promoting physical activity in independent living communities. Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(1), 112-115.)

Upcoming Events: August-October
N4A 31st Annual Conference and Tradeshow
Aug 6-10, 2006, Chicago, IL
National Association for Area Agencies on Aging

National Qigong Association Annual Meeting
Aug. 25-27, Lenox, MA

AAFP 2006 Scientific Assembly
Sept. 27-Oct. 1, Washington, D.C.
American Academy of Family Physicians

NCGNP 2006 National Conference
Sept. 27-Oct. 1, Vedra Beach, FL
National Conference of Gerontological Nurse Practitioners

Cooper Institute Conference Series: Parks, Recreation & Public Health
Oct. 26-Oct. 28, Dallas, TX

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The Blueprint Partners Project is an initiative of the Active Aging Partnership. For more information, contact the National Blueprint Office at the University of Illinois Department of Kinesiology and Community Health.
Website: www.agingblueprint.org