Calling All Researchers

One current trend we see taking center-stage in the near future is research related to the built environment and obesity. Government organizations in particular (like NIEHS - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) are interested to know if correlations exist between the built environment and obesity and if specific interventions to modify the built environment would be effective in reducing obesity. The NIEHS is offering grants for such research - see www.niehs.nih.gov/dert/fundopp.htm for more information.

Knowing where people are physically active is also a hot topic of discussion. The focus again is on our living/working built environment - how much does it really affect if we lead active or sedentary lives? Before we spend millions of dollars to overhaul the built environment, we need research to give us scientific, evidence-based solutions to the obesity problem.

Following current trends, we also need researchers and practioners alike to investigate beyond the New PE.  In our opinion, this means using the Stages of Change model (or similar methodology) to help individuals effectively make changes towards adopting healthier habits. Finding real solutions to today's healthy behavior challenges must include meeting people "where they are," such that the realistic meets the idealistic.  We might consider the increased effectiveness of teaching skills versus teaching knowledge.  How much improved would the lives of individuals be if they learned more effective ways to organize and manage their time?