American journal of preventive medicine
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Evidence, mainly from cross-sectional studies, suggests that physical activity is a potentially important modifiable factor associated with physical performance and strength in older age. It is unclear whether the benefits of physical activity accumulate across life or whether there are sensitive periods when physical activity is more influential. ⋯ There are cumulative benefits of physical activity across adulthood on physical performance in midlife. Increased activity should be promoted early in adulthood to ensure the maintenance of physical performance in later life.
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Faith-based organizations can be strategic partners in addressing the needs of low-income and underserved individuals and communities. The Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) Public Health/Preventive Medicine Residency Program (PH/PMR) collaborates with faith-based organizations for the purpose of resident education, community engagement, and service. These partners provide guidance for the program's community initiatives and health promotion activities designed to address health inequities. ⋯ The MSM PH/PMR Program has engaged in faith-based partnerships for 7 years. This article discusses the structure of these partnerships, how partners are identified, funding sources for supporting resident projects, and examples of resident health needs assessment and intervention activities. The MSM PH/PMR Program may serve as a model to other residency and fellowship programs that may have an interest in developing partnerships with faith-based organizations.
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Few studies have identified health-related criterion standards of percent body fat (%BF) in U.S. youth. Further, existing standards are static thresholds (e.g., 25%, 30%) and do not account for normal growth and maturation. ⋯ Age- and gender-specific %BF thresholds for creating separate risk groups were identified in relation to metabolic syndrome status. The selected thresholds identify adolescents with unfavorable metabolic profiles. These values could be extrapolated to younger children using previously created %BF centiles, which potentially allows for earlier identification and intervention of at-risk youth if tracking of current %BF was maintained.
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Two vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV), a necessary cause of cervical cancer, are currently licensed and recommended for routine administration in the U.S. to girls in a three-dose series. ⋯ HPV vaccination completion rates increased between 2008 and 2009. However, significant differences by race/ethnicity and poverty were observed, and the racial/ethnic differences persisted.