Why Brownsville?

Monday's lecture was back to behavioral science, yay!! This lecture by Dr Jennifer L. Gay focused on why she decided to come to Brownsville and what projects she's working on here. Most of her work here at the University focuses on obesity and exercise. Studies on physical activity have shown decreases in cancer rates, diabetes rates, depression and increased mood.

Some of Dr. Gay's research has shown that 26.1% or above of Texan's report not doing any physical activity in the past month. In Michigan the rates are 21.3-23.2%. Only 1/3 of kids are reported being physically active, this leads quite directly to the 80% of adults who are obese. This is a national issue, with the top 3 reasons people die being due to tobacco use, poor nutrition, and a lack of physical activity.

Although it's easy just to tell someone "go exercise" it's not as simple to actually follow through. The Ecological Model shows there are intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, institutional, and policy levels to any change. Specifically motivation, social support, and a proper built environment. Here in Brownsville, factors against a proper built environment include extreme heat in the summer, stray dogs on the streets, a lack of sidewalks, and improper use of bike lanes (drivers use them as right turn lanes here).

Dr. Gay also does some research with youth on their perceptions of their bodies "not fitting into the various athlete categories" right before puberty and the decrease in physical activity that also occurs around this time.

At the rate obesity has been growing for the past few years, by "2030 all Americans will be obese if we don't do anything!" This leaves so much room for individuals in public health to work.

An interesting quote: "With the invention of the washing machine, we have engineered physical activity out of our lives."