Knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs was moderate at best. One in five respondents was not aware of any stroke risk factors, and almost one in three was not aware of any stroke warning signs. Stroke knowledge was poorest among groups that have the highest risk of stroke.

BackgroundWhile farmers’ markets are a potential strategy to increase access to fruits and vegetables in rural areas, more information is needed regarding use of farmers’ markets among rural residents. Thus, this study’s purpose was to examine (1) socio-demographic characteristics of participants; (2) barriers and facilitators to farmers’ market shopping in southern rural communities; and (3) associations between farmers’ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and body mass index (BMI).MethodsCross-sectional surveys were conducted with a purposive sample of farmers’ market customers and a representative sample of primary household food shoppers in eastern North Carolina (NC) and the Appalachian region of Kentucky (KY). Customers were interviewed using an intercept survey instrument at farmers’ markets. Representative samples of primary food shoppers were identified via random digit dial (RDD) cellular phone and landline methods in counties that had at least one farmers’ market. All questionnaires assessed socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, barriers to and facilitators of farmers’ market shopping, fruit and vegetable consumption and self-reported height and weight. The main outcome measures were fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI. Descriptive statistics were used to examine socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, and barriers and facilitators to farmers’ market shopping. Linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between farmers’ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI, controlling for age, race, education, and gender.ResultsAmong farmers’ market customers, 44% and 55% (NC and KY customers, respectively) reported shopping at a farmers’ market at least weekly, compared to 16% and 18% of NC and KY RDD respondents. Frequently reported barriers to farmers’ market shopping were market days and hours, “only come when I need something”, extreme weather, and market location. Among the KY farmers’ market customers and NC and KY RDD respondents, fruit and vegetable consumption was positively associated with use of farmers’ markets. There were no associations between use of farmers’ markets and BMI.ConclusionsFruit and vegetable consumption was associated with farmers’ market shopping. Thus, farmers’ markets may be a viable method to increase population-level produce consumption.

Weekly leisure-time energy expenditure averaged approximately 15-20% higher during spring and summer. Much of this difference was due to active respondents participating in a second activity during these seasons.

Background and Purpose-Excessive prehospital delay between acute stroke onset and hospital arrival is an ongoing problem. Translating knowledge of stroke warning signs into appropriate action is critical to decrease prehospital delay. Our objectives were to estimate the proportion of Michigan adults who would react appropriately by calling 911 when presented with hypothetical stroke-related scenarios and to examine the association between knowledge of warning signs and calling 911. Methods-In 2004, questions regarding initial response to health-related scenarios were added to the Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, a population-based telephone survey of adults. We calculated the proportion of respondents who would call 911 in response to 3 stroke-related scenarios and examined the association between stroke warning sign knowledge and 911 activation. Results-Among 4841 adults, 27.6% (95% CI, 26.2 to 29.0) had adequate knowledge of stroke warning signs (defined as reporting 3 correct warning signs), and 14.0% (95% CI, 12.9 to 15.1) reported they would call 911 for all 3 stroke-related scenarios. Knowledge of specific stroke warning signs was only modestly associated with calling 911 in response to medical scenarios that involved the same stroke symptom (OR, 1.17 to 1.39). Even among those with adequate knowledge of stroke warning signs, only 17.6% (95% CI, 15.5 to 20.0) would call 911 for all 3 stroke scenarios. Conclusions-In this population-based survey, stroke symptom knowledge was not associated with the intent to call 911 for stroke. This study emphasizes the critical role of motivation in addition to symptom knowledge to reducing delay time to hospital arrival for stroke. (Stroke. 2010;41:1501-1507.)

Background: Increasing the public’s awareness of stroke is a public health priority. Our objective was to assess changes in the public’s knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs in Michigan during a 5-year period characterized by a sustained statewide public education effort. Methods: Questions regarding knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs were included in the 1999 and 2004 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveys – random-digit-dialed statewide surveys of adults. Respondents were asked to report up to 3 risk factors and warning signs for stroke. Results: Between 1999 and 2004, the proportion of respondents who reported 3 correct stroke warning signs increased substantially from 14.3 to 27.6% (p < 0.001), whereas the proportion reporting 3 correct risk factors remained almost unchanged (27.9 vs. 29.1%). The reporting of 2 warning signs in particular increased substantially over the 5-year period; ‘any weakness or numbness’ increased from 45.7 to 65.6%, while ‘confusion, trouble speaking or understanding’ increased from 29.9 to 46.5%. Knowledge of stroke warning signs increased across nearly all demographic subgroups, but remained poor for several high-risk groups including the elderly, minorities and those with less education. Conclusions: Knowledge of warning signs increased during this period while there was little change in knowledge of risk factors. The results suggest that these changes occurred in response to the public education campaign which focused primarily on warning signs. The findings further emphasize the need to target those subgroups who are at highest risk of stroke and where knowledge remains poorest.

These data illustrate that a healthy lifestyle-defined as a combination of 4 HLCs-was undertaken by very few adults in the United States, and that no subgroup followed this combination to a level remotely consistent with clinical or public health recommendations.

Less than 40% of walkers complied through walking with even our most liberal physical activity pattern (> or =150 min.wk(-1) regardless of frequency). For walkers to meet current public health recommendations, many need to walk more frequently and/or to engage in additional physical activities.

Background:The extent to which dog walking promotes leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) remains unresolved. We describe the characteristics of people who walk their dog, and assess the impact on LTPA.Methods:Information on dog ownership, dog walking patterns, total walking activity and LTPA were assessed in the 2005 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey. Multiple logistic regression was used to generate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for the effect of dog walking on total walking and LTPA.Results:Of 5902 respondents 41% owned a dog, and of these, 61% walked their dog for at least 10 minutes at a time. However, only 27% walked their dog at least 150 minutes per week. Dog walking was associated with a significant increase in walking activity and LTPA. Compared with non-dog owners, the odds of obtaining at least 150 minutes per week of total walking were 34% higher for dog walkers (AOR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.59), and the odds of doing any LTPA were 69% higher (AOR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.33 to 2.15).Conclusions:Dog walking was associated with more walking and LTPA, however a substantial proportion of dog owners do not walk their dog. The promotion of dog walking could help increase LTPA.