Background: The high prevalence of physical inactivity among children and adolescents (youth) and the associated negative health consequences make it critical to increase physical activity levels. Social-ecological models suggest that the school environment may influence youth health behaviour. However, few studies have examined the school environment in relation to youth physical activity. Purpose: To 1) examine between-school variability in student physical activity, 2) identify school characteristics that account for between-school variability in student physical activity, and 3) examine the association between senior student participation rates in school physical activities and junior student physical activity. Methods: The study consisted of secondary data analysis of the School Health Action, Planning and Evaluation System (SHAPES) Ontario project, which collected self-report data from 69,511 students in 76 secondary schools from seven public health unit districts in Ontario. Multilevel modeling was used to examine between-school variability in student physical activity, as well as school characteristics associated with physical activity. Results: There was significant between-school variability in student physical activity, and the relationship between physical activity and age and gender, respectively. School rates of physical education participation were associated with student physical activity levels. Senior student participation in other physical activities at school, such as playing outside, was associated with junior student physical activity levels. Conclusions: These findings support the social-ecological notion that the school environment can influence adolescent physical activity behaviour. A better understanding of the relationship between the school environment and physical activity will assist in the development of effective school-based policies, programs and interventions to increase physical activity.

Background. Little is known about HIV risk-behaviour and testing amongst older Canadians. In the United States the prevalence of HIV for those aged 50+ is highest in Florida, a location where many Canadian seniors winter. This small-scale pilot study examined the dating and sexual behaviour of Canadian snowbirds while in Florida, to determine their risk for HIV. This area deserves increased attention as the proportion of older Canadians infected with HIV is increasing. Methods. A broad cross-section of Canadian snowbirds were surveyed. Eligible participants were: aged 50+, visited Florida in the past 12 months and stayed for 1+ month on their latest trip, and live in Canada for 6+ months each year. Univariate and bivariate frequencies were primarily reported due to the descriptive research objectives. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with HIV testing. Results. The study sample consisted of 299 participants, with more males (53.51%), more married participants (78.6%) and a mean age of 66.86 years. One quarter (23.14%) of the sample had dated in the past five years. Of these daters, 5.36% dated in Florida, 41.07% dated in Canada and 53.57% dated in both locations. Over three-quarters of daters in both Canada (79.49%) and Florida (77.78%) engaged in sex with their dates in the previous year. Few daters in Canada (20%) and Florida (14.29%) used condoms consistently with their dates. Only 17.7% of the sample had ever HIV-tested. The odds of HIV testing were increased for: those aged 50-65, the unmarried, those who had discussed sexual risk-behaviour with a physician and those who indicated that sex was important. Dating males were twice as likely to test as non-dating males; and 14 times more likely to test than females who dated. Conclusions. Sexual risk-behaviour is occurring within the Canadian snowbird population, especially amongst the unmarried. In both Canada and Florida, most snowbirds did not use condoms consistently with dates, many reported multiple sexual partnerships and few had HIV-tested. Overall, this research supports the need for a large-scale study to further understand the social and sexual interactions of Canadian snowbirds to determine their risk for HIV.

Background: The high prevalence of physical inactivity among children and adolescents (youth) and the associated negative health consequences make it critical to increase physical activity levels. Social-ecological models suggest that the school environment may influence youth health behaviour. However, few studies have examined the school environment in relation to youth physical activity. Purpose: To 1) examine between-school variability in student physical activity, 2) identify school characteristics that account for between-school variability in student physical activity, and 3) examine the association between senior student participation rates in school physical activities and junior student physical activity. Methods: The study consisted of secondary data analysis of the School Health Action, Planning and Evaluation System (SHAPES) Ontario project, which collected self-report data from 69,511 students in 76 secondary schools from seven public health unit districts in Ontario. Multilevel modeling was used to examine between-school variability in student physical activity, as well as school characteristics associated with physical activity. Results: There was significant between-school variability in student physical activity, and the relationship between physical activity and age and gender, respectively. School rates of physical education participation were associated with student physical activity levels. Senior student participation in other physical activities at school, such as playing outside, was associated with junior student physical activity levels. Conclusions: These findings support the social-ecological notion that the school environment can influence adolescent physical activity behaviour. A better understanding of the relationship between the school environment and physical activity will assist in the development of effective school-based policies, programs and interventions to increase physical activity.

Background. Little is known about HIV risk-behaviour and testing amongst older Canadians. In the United States the prevalence of HIV for those aged 50+ is highest in Florida, a location where many Canadian seniors winter. This small-scale pilot study examined the dating and sexual behaviour of Canadian snowbirds while in Florida, to determine their risk for HIV. This area deserves increased attention as the proportion of older Canadians infected with HIV is increasing. Methods. A broad cross-section of Canadian snowbirds were surveyed. Eligible participants were: aged 50+, visited Florida in the past 12 months and stayed for 1+ month on their latest trip, and live in Canada for 6+ months each year. Univariate and bivariate frequencies were primarily reported due to the descriptive research objectives. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with HIV testing. Results. The study sample consisted of 299 participants, with more males (53.51%), more married participants (78.6%) and a mean age of 66.86 years. One quarter (23.14%) of the sample had dated in the past five years. Of these daters, 5.36% dated in Florida, 41.07% dated in Canada and 53.57% dated in both locations. Over three-quarters of daters in both Canada (79.49%) and Florida (77.78%) engaged in sex with their dates in the previous year. Few daters in Canada (20%) and Florida (14.29%) used condoms consistently with their dates. Only 17.7% of the sample had ever HIV-tested. The odds of HIV testing were increased for: those aged 50-65, the unmarried, those who had discussed sexual risk-behaviour with a physician and those who indicated that sex was important. Dating males were twice as likely to test as non-dating males; and 14 times more likely to test than females who dated. Conclusions. Sexual risk-behaviour is occurring within the Canadian snowbird population, especially amongst the unmarried. In both Canada and Florida, most snowbirds did not use condoms consistently with dates, many reported multiple sexual partnerships and few had HIV-tested. Overall, this research supports the need for a large-scale study to further understand the social and sexual interactions of Canadian snowbirds to determine their risk for HIV.

This dissertation examines the potential for professional/community planning to respond pro-actively and strategically to the impending demographic changes which will be brought about by the aging of the baby boom generation. This multi-phased investigation was designed to explore whether professional planning could uncover models and concepts which can be used to make cities and communities more age-friendly. Several conclusions can be drawn from the study. It was found that planners are not ready for demographic change nor are they prepared for helping create age-friendly cities. This is due to several reasons, including a lack of resources forcing them to concentrate on short-term, immediate issues; lack of power and credibility; and a perception that the elderly are a lower priority in society. For planners to become proactive and strategic in planning for age-friendly cities, they will need to re-examine their tendency to focus mainly on land use planning; focus on the long-term agenda; establish credibility with politicians; develop visionary skills; and become educators and facilitators, engaging key stakeholders and community groups. The data indicated that planners have a limited knowledge of gerontology. However, a high level of congruence was found between the newer planning models and key research dimensions in gerontology. If these two fields were to work closer together, each would become better equipped to produce knowledge which will help society deal with aging demographics. Evidence also showed congruence between the newer planning models, building age-friendly cities and the environmental agenda. Common factors such as urban intensification (particularly in the core), building more compact urban form and increasing multi-modal transportation options (including pedestrianism) help reduce sprawl, congestion and pollution and concomitantly help create an environment which is healthier and friendly to all ages, including seniors. Findings from this research are used to develop a hybrid “Wise Growth” planning model to encourage the development of age-friendly cities.

A subset of data was used from the Waterloo Longitudinal Reactivity Study (WLRS)to examine predictors of cardiovascular reactivity during the Type A Structured Interview (SI). Sex, age, total cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), activity level, smoking, drinking, family history of cardiovascular disease, anger-management styles (i.e., hostility, SI Components, and anger) and respective resting levels for the dependent measures were the predictor variables. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), norepinephrine, and epinephrine were the dependent measures. For this study, 111 males and 129 females completed the study. They were first or second year students from the University of Waterloo. The subjects' mean age was 20.44 years. In the WLRS, subjects were asked to come to the laboratory on several occasions. The first occasion was to obtain consent. The second occasion was to habituate subjects to the laboratory setting and the equipment. The third session was the test proper. The focus of this secondary data analysis was to examine the predictive property of anger-management styles to reactivity during one task in the test proper, the SI. Factor analyses were done on the psychometric scales. From this, three factors emerged: hostility, SI components, and anger. These variables, along with the remaining independent variables were entered in multiple regression equations. For norepinephrine, epinephrine, and DBP reactivity only the respective resting values were predictive of reactivity. The independent measures, sex and BMI were predictive of SBP reactivity. Predictors of HR reactivity were resting HR, anger(one of the three factors), and sex. The results of this study did not support the contention that personality measures are predictive of catecholamine or blood pressure reactivity. H R reactivity, however, was predicted by personality and demographic measures. Although clinical applications are not possible, the study allows for the possibility that one day only psychometric scales will need to be completed in order to predict reactivity.

<p> Over the last half a century, the frequency and intensity of tornados, floods, and other severe weather events have underscored the need for disaster preparedness, particularly for older adults. Functional limitations, cognitive decline, and medical comorbidities such as heart disease and diabetes create additional vulnerabilities, regardless of the type of disaster. Still, elders are capable of self-identifying needs and can be empowered to prepare communication plans, assemble disaster kits, and learn how to respond to threats posed by specific disasters. By increasing the level of disaster preparedness through training, many of the health problems faced by elders during a disaster could be alleviated and their overall response improved. Yet despite their abilities and the known benefits of disaster preparedness, disaster education and planning for elders has not been widely implemented.</p><p> The purpose of the Geriatric Passport Project was to increase the level of disaster preparedness through implementation of a disaster education program among community-dwelling older adults over the age of 55. Recruitment strategies included media, engaging key staff from program sites, and word of mouth. </p><p> The project used a pre-post reflexive control design. Knowledge about the elements to include in a disaster communication plan increased as did knowledge about items to include in a disaster kit. Notably, self-rated level of stress associated with evacuation to a shelter remained unchanged. Most importantly, the perceived level of disaster preparedness increased, suggesting that those who participated in the Geriatric Passport Project felt more prepared to respond to a disaster as a result of having attended the disaster education program.</p><p> The Geriatric Passport Project appears to have beneficial effects and the success of the pilot project supports exploring the feasibility of expanding the program to a wider geographic region and conducting a more rigorous evaluation of program effectiveness, efficacy, and efficiency.</p>

<p> Numerous researchers have explored the benefit of creative activities for the aging population diagnosed with dementia. However, there is a lack of data available to community administrators and organizers of senior residences about how successful aging may be enhanced, in the relatively healthy older adults, through their participation in creative art-making. Activities that provide mental stimulation, facilitate expression of emotions, and that are related to overall psychological well-being can provide a foundation for healthy aging. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to explore older adults&rsquo; subjective experience of engaging in creative artwork. The conceptual framework that guided this phenomenological study was based on Lazarus&rsquo;s cognitive-emotional-relational theory of emotions. The focus of the research questions was on the subjective experience of 10 older adults who participated in 7 weekly art sessions offered at a senior residence. Audiotaped interviews that were held after the last art-making session, together with participants&rsquo; artwork and field notes, were analyzed, coded, and then categorized into themes. Results indicated the participants learned they can be creative, and that their images became a visual inroad to meaningful expression of emotions, insight, and motivation. The results point to evident social change when community organizers and administrators of senior residences increase activities for residents, especially meaningful activities designed to facilitate expression of emotions and insight during later life. Creative image-making activities can lead to continued learning, heightened social interactions, increased mental fitness, reduced depression, and enhanced healthy aging.</p>

A descriptive study was conducted to explore whether locus of control and morale had an effect on the physical ability of institutionalized elderly. A convenience sample of 20 men and women over the age of 65 living in a skilled nursing facility was used as the sample population. Quantitative research techniques were employed for data collection and analysis. No statistically significant relationship was found among the study variables of morale, locus of control or functional status. The length of time one had spent in the nursing facility did correlate with actual functional status. The male subjects indicated a higher perception in internal control of their lives while the female subjects showed a higher degree of positive adaptation in the nursing home setting, as measured by morale. Seventy-eight percent of the sample population viewed their health as either fair or poor. None of the subjects thought their health was excellent.

<p> The world is undergoing a key demographic shift and a restructuring of its population due to the increase in the relative size of the aging population. Based on the latest world census data, the number of people aged 65 or older is expected to increase from an estimated 416 million in the year 2000 to 853 million in the year 2025. The US Census Bureau estimated that in 2050 the number of Americans aged 65 and older would reach 88.5 million, more than double the projected population of 40.2 million in 2010. The state of California has 3.5 million people over the age of 65, the largest older adult population in the United States. This research assessed the functions and effects of the organizational culture of the Area Agencies on Aging in California as the lead agencies mandated to deliver services to older adults. The study presented measurements and comparisons of the cultural traits of each agency and the impact of these traits on performance across the state of California. The organizational culture traits that were scrutinized included involvement, consistency, adaptability, and mission. The outcomes revealed that Area Agencies on Aging in California were high-performance organizations. The data showed that the strongest trait was involvement, which was manifested a high level of employee investment in their work. The weakest trait was adaptability, which was manifested by inflexible or not easily changed behavior.</p>