Gregory J Welk
Biographic Data
| ID | 4168542 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Gregory J Welk |
| GIVEN NAMES | Gregory J |
| FAMILY NAME | Welk |
| SIGNATURE | WELK G J |
| AFFILIATIONS | Iowa State University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-7132-9725 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 39 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 5 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 39 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1999 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Adolescent physical activity during school days
Background: Physical activity (PA) during the school day is crucial for the health and well-being of adolescents. This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth PA patterns to better understand these changes and to provide guidelines for school programming. Methods: Differences in PA within specific segments of the school day were examined before and after the pandemic using the Youth Activity Profile questionnaire. Participants…
Impact of the Covid‐19 Pandemic on Prevalence of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Public School Students
BACKGROUND: To determine if the COVID-19 pandemic influenced students' cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), this study examined the prevalence of meeting a health-related standard for CRF in public school students before, during and after the pandemic. METHODS: A repeated cross-sectional study design was used, and multilevel logistic regression was employed to compare the prevalence of students meeting the CRF standard during the four school years pr…
Initial outcomes from the Confident Moves online intervention to promote physical activity in adults with obesity
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05935111, registered 7 July 2023
Sociodemographic influences on youth sport participation and physical activity among children living within concentrated Hispanic/Latino rural communities
Introduction Lack of physical activity (PA) among children living in rural communities is a documented public health problem. Although studies have examined community conditions defined by a rural–urban dichotomy, few have investigated rural community conditions with a concentration of Hispanic/Latino people. This cross-sectional study examined sociodemographic characteristics associated with youth sport (YS) participation and daily PA among chil…
Assessing Health Risk With Musculoskeletal Fitness Tests in Youth
The relationship between youth-fitness test items related to cardiorespiratory endurance and body composition and health outcomes is well established. Until recent years, the link between musculoskeletal fitness measures and health markers has been less conclusive. The information provided in this article offers evidence of the health links between youth musculoskeletal measures (specifically the grip test, the vertical jump, the long jump, and t…
Study protocol
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05693025, Registered January 20, 2023, Updated March 1, 2023
The Utility of the Youth Activity Profile for Assessing and Promoting Physical Activity in Physical Education
The purpose of this article is to describe the nature of the YAP assessment and the utility for enhancing instruction as well as for school-level monitoring and evaluation. Emphasis is on the results from a brief case study that employed the YAP as part of standardized school assessments to guide program planning and school activity promotion efforts
Contextualizing Adolescent Female Physical Activity Behavior
Physical activity (PA) behavior tends to decline as youth get older, especially in female adolescents. The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of female adolescent moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) behavior. Baseline MVPA data was collected during year one of a female-specific PA related program. The Youth Activity Profile was administered to contextualize current middle school female PA levels. Data were collected o…
SWITCH-ing Quality Physical Education to Multicomponent Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs
Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAP) coordinate physical activity opportunities for school-age children through physical education, programs offered before/after school and during the school day, and those facilitated through staff involvement and community engagement. An active school is considered to implement quality physical education and one additional CSPAP component. This paper aims to describe evidence-based school init…
Comparing enhancements to well-child visits in the prevention of obesity
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT04406441); Registered May 28, 2020
Transdisciplinary Approaches for the Dissemination of the SWITCH School Wellness Initiative Through a Distributed 4-H/Extension Network
Transdisciplinary Translational Science for Youth Health and Wellness
Parent and Child Perceptions of Barriers to Active School Commuting
BACKGROUND: Active commuting (AC) to and from school can contribute to physical activity, although it has recently seen a global decline. The purpose of this study was to examine the agreement between parent and child perceptions of barriers to school AC. METHODS: = 10.0 ± 1.2 years). School commute type/frequency and barriers to AC were collected via surveys. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess relative agreement betwe…
Association with Temperature Variability and Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep in a Free-Living Population
The present study examines the temperature variability in physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep in a free-living population. A representative sample of 1235 adults (ages 21-70) from Iowa, U.S.A., wore a SenseWear Mini Armband (SWA) for a randomly assigned day. Koppen's weather climate classification was used to precisely classify the temperature: cold (-13 to 32 °F), cool (32 to 50 °F), mild (50 to 64 °F), warm (64 to 73 °F),…
Calibration and Validation of the Youth Activity Profile as a Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Surveillance Tool for English Youth
Self-reported youth physical activity (PA) is typically overestimated. We aimed to calibrate and validate a self-report tool among English youth. Four-hundred-and-two participants (aged 9-16 years; 212 boys) wore SenseWear Armband Mini devices (SWA) for eight days and completed the self-report Youth Activity Profile (YAP) on the eighth day. Calibration algorithms for temporally matched segments were generated from the YAP data using quantile regr…
The Importance of Self-Monitoring for Behavior Change in Youth
School Wellness Integration Targeting Child Health (SWITCH ® ) is a school wellness implementation initiative focused on building capacity for schools to plan and coordinate wellness programming. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), the purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of the web-based, self-regulation system on physical activity (PA) behavior outcomes. At pre-test and post-test, students in SWITCH ® schools ( n = 8) comple…
Use of previous-day recalls of physical activity and sedentary behavior in epidemiologic studies
Although there were many similarities between instruments, differences in operationalizing definitions of sedentary behaviour and LPA resulted in substantive differences in the amounts of time reported in sedentary and physically active behaviours. Future research should focus on deriving a core set of basic activities and associated energy expenditure estimates, an agreed classificatory hierarchy for the major behavioural and activity domains, a…
Effect of Integrated Physical Activities with Mathematics on Objectively Assessed Physical Activity
Integrating PA with mathematics in the classroom can contribute to increasing MVPA levels in children
Youth Physical Activity Patterns During School and Out-of-School Time
This study describes age, sex, and season patterns in children's physical activity behaviors during discrete time periods, both in school and at home. Participants were 135 elementary, 67 middle, and 89 high-school students (128 boys and 163 girls) involved in a larger school activity monitoring project. We examined time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at recess, physical education (PE), lunch, commuting to/from school, bef…
Feasibility study of the SWITCH implementation process for enhancing school wellness
This feasibility study supports the utility of the new implementation framework for promoting school and student engagement with SWITCH. Further testing regarding effectiveness and scale-up of this evidence-based school wellness intervention program is warranted
Construct Validity of an Obesity Risk Screening Tool in Two Age Groups
Home environment influences child health, but the impact varies as children move into adolescence. The Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) screening tool has been used to evaluate home environments, but studies have not compared the utility of the tool in different age groups. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the FNPA tool in first and tenth grade samples. Parents of first grade ( n = 250) and tenth grade ( n = 9…
Assessing the validity of facilitated-volunteered geographic information
Impact of activity outcome and measurement instrument on estimates of youth compliance with physical activity guidelines
The results show differential patterns of compliance with the PAG-MVPA and PAG-Steps, as assessed by the AG and SWA. Additional research is needed to directly evaluate and compare findings from public health research based on different guidelines and measurement methods
Relationships between County Health Rankings and child overweight and obesity prevalence
County-level adult indicators of health are significantly associated with levels of child obesity. Future studies should examine the relationship between CHR and other health outcomes
Characterizing the context of sedentary lifestyles in a representative sample of adults
The findings provide unique insights about the context of SB at the population level, and can serve as a guide for developing intervention/policy studies to reduce sedentary time and minimize disparities in SB
Validation of a Diary Measure of Children's Physical Activities
This study compares levels of physical activity of 9–14-year-old children from a self-reported time diary with those measured using an accelerometer. Children (N=92) wore an accelerometer for one weekend day and completed a 24-hour time diary for that day. The time children spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity from time diaries was moderately highly correlated with the measured results. Self-reported and objective measures of in tensit…
Enhancing energy balance education through physical education and self-monitoring technology
Schools are positioned to play a key role in nurturing students with knowledge and behaviours associated with healthful living. Our study examined the effects of an intervention on energy balance (EB) knowledge. Twelve 6th and 7th grade classrooms ( n = 140) were assigned to receive either two standardised lessons on EB or a combined intervention that featured the same EB lessons, integrated with self-monitoring technology. EB knowledge was pre- …
Physical activity patterns in Portuguese adolescents
In Portugal, two sports systems exist, one through schools and the other in community clubs. The purpose was to determine the impact of extra-curricular sports (EC sports) on boys’ and girls’ moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). 208 adolescents (79 boys and 129 girls), between 12 and 18 years old, wore an accelerometer over seven days. Four EC sport categories based on reported involvement were: no sports, school sports, club sports, bo…
The Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model
Many theoretical models have been proposed to understand the factors influencing physical activity behavior; however. few have been specifically developed for children. The purpose of this paper is to describe a conceptual model of physical activity promotion that is based on the unique developmental, psycho1ogical, and behavioral characteristics children. The current model adopts a social-ecological framework by acknowledging the input of variou…
Stability of variables associated with the metabolic syndrome from adolescence to adulthood
The purpose of the study was to examine the stability of variables associated with the metabolic syndrome from adolescence to adulthood. The sample included 48 subjects from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study who had one clinical visit during adolescence (mean age = 15.8 years) and a follow-up visit during adulthood (mean age = 26.6 years). The following variables were considered: treadmill time to exhaustion (TM), body mass index (BMI), wais…
The Role of Peer Social Network Factors and Physical Activity in Adolescent Girls
Frequency of PA with friends was an important correlate of PA among the peer network variables for adolescent girls
Rural–Urban Differences in Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Overweight Prevalence of Children
Context: The increasing prevalence of overweight in youth has been well chronicled, but less is known about the unique patterns and risks that may exist in rural and urban environments. A better understanding of possible rural–urban differences in physical activity profiles may facilitate the development of more targeted physical activity interventions. Methods: Participants (1,687 boys; 1,729 girls) were recruited from fourth, fifth, and sixth g…
Switch
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00685555
Validation of a Diary Measure of Children's Physical Activities
This study compares levels of physical activity of 9–14-year-old children from a self-reported time diary with those measured using an accelerometer. Children (N=92) wore an accelerometer for one weekend day and completed a 24-hour time diary for that day. The time children spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity from time diaries was moderately highly correlated with the measured results. Self-reported and objective measures of in tensit…
Influence of socio-economic status on habitual physical activity and sedentary behavior in 8- to 11-year old children
Children from a low SES show a trend of lower PA levels and spend more time in sedentary behavior than high SES children; however, differences in PA were influenced by BMI. The higher BMI in these children might be another factor contributing to increased health risks among low SES children compared to children from with a higher SES
Validity of the Bouchard activity diary in Spanish adolescents
Objective Valid and simple instruments to assess physical activity (PA) in specific populations are required for health-related research. The aim of the present study was to assess the validity of the Bouchard activity diary (AD) in Spanish adolescents using an activity monitor to compare total PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) obtained by both instruments. Design Sixty-one Spanish adolescents, aged 12–16 years, completed the Bouchard AD and …
Physical activity patterns in Portuguese adolescents
In Portugal, two sports systems exist, one through schools and the other in community clubs. The purpose was to determine the impact of extra-curricular sports (EC sports) on boys’ and girls’ moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). 208 adolescents (79 boys and 129 girls), between 12 and 18 years old, wore an accelerometer over seven days. Four EC sport categories based on reported involvement were: no sports, school sports, club sports, bo…
Physical Activity in U.S. Adults
Parenting Styles and Home Obesogenic Environments
Parenting behaviors are known to have a major impact on childhood obesity but it has proven difficult to isolate the specific mechanism of influence. The present study uses Baumrind's parenting typologies (authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive) to examine associations between parenting styles and parenting practices associated with childhood obesity. Data were collected from a diverse sample of children (n = 182, ages 7-10) in an urban sch…
Moderating influences of baseline activity levels in school physical activity programming for children
These results indicate that changes in MVPA levels at post-intervention were reduced in highly active participants when recess staff supervision was provided. In this study, initial MVPA moderated the effect of Staff supervision on children's MVPA after 6 months of intervention. Staff training should include how to work with inactive youth but also how to assure that active children remain active
Calibration of self-report tools for physical activity research
These results suggest that the calibrated PAQ may be a valid alternative tool to activity monitoring instruments for estimating %MVPA in groups of youth
Characterizing the context of sedentary lifestyles in a representative sample of adults
The findings provide unique insights about the context of SB at the population level, and can serve as a guide for developing intervention/policy studies to reduce sedentary time and minimize disparities in SB
Enhancing energy balance education through physical education and self-monitoring technology
Schools are positioned to play a key role in nurturing students with knowledge and behaviours associated with healthful living. Our study examined the effects of an intervention on energy balance (EB) knowledge. Twelve 6th and 7th grade classrooms ( n = 140) were assigned to receive either two standardised lessons on EB or a combined intervention that featured the same EB lessons, integrated with self-monitoring technology. EB knowledge was pre- …
Impact of activity outcome and measurement instrument on estimates of youth compliance with physical activity guidelines
The results show differential patterns of compliance with the PAG-MVPA and PAG-Steps, as assessed by the AG and SWA. Additional research is needed to directly evaluate and compare findings from public health research based on different guidelines and measurement methods
Relationships between County Health Rankings and child overweight and obesity prevalence
County-level adult indicators of health are significantly associated with levels of child obesity. Future studies should examine the relationship between CHR and other health outcomes
Construct Validity of an Obesity Risk Screening Tool in Two Age Groups
Home environment influences child health, but the impact varies as children move into adolescence. The Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) screening tool has been used to evaluate home environments, but studies have not compared the utility of the tool in different age groups. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the FNPA tool in first and tenth grade samples. Parents of first grade ( n = 250) and tenth grade ( n = 9…
Assessing the validity of facilitated-volunteered geographic information
Effect of Integrated Physical Activities with Mathematics on Objectively Assessed Physical Activity
Integrating PA with mathematics in the classroom can contribute to increasing MVPA levels in children
Youth Physical Activity Patterns During School and Out-of-School Time
This study describes age, sex, and season patterns in children's physical activity behaviors during discrete time periods, both in school and at home. Participants were 135 elementary, 67 middle, and 89 high-school students (128 boys and 163 girls) involved in a larger school activity monitoring project. We examined time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at recess, physical education (PE), lunch, commuting to/from school, bef…
Feasibility study of the SWITCH implementation process for enhancing school wellness
This feasibility study supports the utility of the new implementation framework for promoting school and student engagement with SWITCH. Further testing regarding effectiveness and scale-up of this evidence-based school wellness intervention program is warranted
Calibration and Validation of the Youth Activity Profile as a Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Surveillance Tool for English Youth
Self-reported youth physical activity (PA) is typically overestimated. We aimed to calibrate and validate a self-report tool among English youth. Four-hundred-and-two participants (aged 9-16 years; 212 boys) wore SenseWear Armband Mini devices (SWA) for eight days and completed the self-report Youth Activity Profile (YAP) on the eighth day. Calibration algorithms for temporally matched segments were generated from the YAP data using quantile regr…
The Importance of Self-Monitoring for Behavior Change in Youth
School Wellness Integration Targeting Child Health (SWITCH ® ) is a school wellness implementation initiative focused on building capacity for schools to plan and coordinate wellness programming. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), the purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of the web-based, self-regulation system on physical activity (PA) behavior outcomes. At pre-test and post-test, students in SWITCH ® schools ( n = 8) comple…
Use of previous-day recalls of physical activity and sedentary behavior in epidemiologic studies
Although there were many similarities between instruments, differences in operationalizing definitions of sedentary behaviour and LPA resulted in substantive differences in the amounts of time reported in sedentary and physically active behaviours. Future research should focus on deriving a core set of basic activities and associated energy expenditure estimates, an agreed classificatory hierarchy for the major behavioural and activity domains, a…
Medicine (37 works) · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet (33 works) · Physical activity (23 works) · Physical therapy (23 works) · Psychology (23 works) · Physical Activity and Health (22 works) · Children's Physical and Motor Development (17 works) · Gerontology (13 works) · Public health (13 works) · Biostatistics (12 works)