kin 345 reflection paper

1. The Social Ecological Model (SEM) provides a framework for physical activity interventions. This section of KIN 345 discussed how built environment and policy changes can have broad impacts. However, you may remember your professors saying that the most effective interventions address multiple levels of the SEM. Your job is to increase physical activity for ONE of the populations below. Explain how you would apply the SEM to improve the physical activity behaviors for ONE of the populations listed below at EACH OF THE FIVE LEVELS of the model. (Two paragraphs) 

   1. College Students

Intrapersonal - motivation creates habit and longevity of pa - we can increase motivation by setting small achievable goals like taking a walk each day or walking to classes 

Interpersonal - peer support - encourage them to find find friends to be physically active with because it is easier than doing it alone, provide emotional support through praise

Organizational - encourage them to join clubs like eimsa or exercise clubs that promote the importance of pa

Community - advocate for longer recreational gym hours because each student has access to the recreational services

Policy-social structural - advocate for policies like zoning to create more green space for parks and rec

1. Ten years from now, when you are immersed in your career of choice, what is one specific thing you have learned in this section of the course that will be relevant/applicable in your professional life? Please specify your anticipated career and discuss how you could use this policy and/or built environment content/strategy in the future. (One paragraph)

• Health benefits in park and nature because it offers physiological benefits like lower bp and risk of chronic disease, psychological benefits like better mood and decreased stress, cognitive benefits like better memory and attention, and social benefits like increased social support

• “Experimental studies have shown that spending time in nature Improves Memory function, direct attention, increased neural activity associated with deep meditative states and daydreaming, improved child development greater intelligence and academic performance, and lower levels of arousal and frustration” (Christiana et al., 2021). 

1. Why are built environment factors and policies important for physical activity promotion? Of the factors discussed in this section of the course, which might have the strongest influence on physical activity behavior? Identify ONE construct and justify your choice with scientific evidence. (One paragraph)

• It is important because large number of ppl affected, permanent effects, impacts healthy behavior, facilitates pa not just leisure time pa

• Complete streets bc it allows built environment to facilitate pa - passive approach

• “By applying this approach, communities can promote active forms of transportation which can then result in increases in physical activity among residents” (Carlson et al., 2017)

• Complete streets

• policies that require all forms of transportation during new development - sidewalks, bike lanes, green space, crosswalks, roadways