BackgroundIn recent years, a number of initiatives aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles in health-friendly environments have been implemented. The purpose of this review is to synthesize initiatives conducted in Canada and documented in publications for the period 1995–2015 in order to gain a better understanding of their objectives and impacts.MethodsA systematic review of Canadian initiatives published over the past 20 years was conducted from multiple databases (i.e., Scopus, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Academic search complete, Reseausante.com, Cairn, and Erudit). In total, 264 publications were identified and retained for the final analysis based on 5 criteria: (1) publication between 1995 and 2015, (2) online availability, (3) research conducted in Canada, (4) main topic related to environments favorable to healthy lifestyles (EFHL), and (5) publication in French or English.ResultsA sharp increase in the number of studies on EFHL was observed between 2010 and 2015 (57%). Two major lifestyle components—physical activity and nutrition—and 2 environmental aspects—neighborhood and built environment—were the elements most frequently examined regarding adults (48%), young people (34%), and seniors (9%), using quantitative (60%) and qualitative (18%) methods. Furthermore, the analysis reveals a greater focus on the municipal (53%) than the national or provincial levels (31%).ConclusionThis work is a first map of Canadian studies related to EFHL. It clarifies the definition of EFHL and classifies its components. As well, it documents the issues raised, the research methods employed, and the role of stakeholders, while outlining a new research agenda that includes dimensions of EFHL formerly neglected by researchers, namely, political and sociocultural spheres of action.

The teaching profession has been studied and discussed from a problem-oriented point of view and cultivated by a problem-oriented scientific tradition. Years of research have enabled a better understanding of difficult teaching conditions and teachers’ ill-being; an ideological and scientific shift, however, appears necessary to enrich and broaden our present knowledge. One particular question arises: which determinants optimize teachers’ professional well-being? In response, our study seeks to identify indicators that allow teachers to create, maintain or restore a state of professional well-being. Our research objective thus aims to describe teachers’ indicators regarding the “optimal functioning” that characterizes professional well-being (Seligman, 2011). The research protocol targets physical education teachers insofar as they are now recognized as leaders and models for promoting healthy lifestyles in schools and communities (MEQ, 2001). The methodology involved 5 focus groups composed of 37 teachers from 7 regions of Quebec. As the findings indicate, this approach allowed us to paint an integrative portrait of teachers’ indicators relative to professional well-being. Two categories have proved effective in terms of professional well-being: the first is Self and includes 4 variables: meaning, positive emotions, engagement and vitality; the second is Others and includes 3 sub-categories: students, colleagues and school administration. The sub-categories comprise 6 variables divided as follows: positive relationships, learning, collaboration, transfer (specifically for the two first sub-categories), followed by vision and valorization for the third sub-category.

The dietary transition from traditional to commercial foods and a decrease in physical activity (PA) have impacted the health of the First Nations people of Quebec (Canada), resulting in many suffering from multiple chronic diseases. This study had two objectives: (1) to examine eating and PA behaviors among First Nations peoples in urban areas and (2) to explore the associated health representations. To achieve these objectives, a mixed-methods approach, including a questionnaire (n = 32) and a semi-structured interview (n = 14), was used to explore the participants’ lifestyle profiles and health experiences. The questionnaire focused on the eating and PA behaviors of First Nations people and their underlying motivations. At the same time, the interviews investigated their health views on diet and PA behaviors based on the conceptual framework of health and its determinants. According to the participants, health is the autonomy to live without pain by maintaining a balance between physical and psychological aspects, eating healthy and exercising. Family and work influence participants’ PA and eating behaviors. Exploring First Nations people’s beliefs and perceptions and the motivations underlying their health behaviors could help encourage the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle despite multiple chronic health conditions.

The worldwide rise in obesity makes this the first non-infectious epidemic in human history. The rapid increase is, in fact, influenced more by environment than biology. In an effort to halt the trend, Quebec has launched a major awareness-raising campaign that focuses on healthy environments and targets stakeholders in schools, municipalities, communities and the health sector. The purpose of the present study, then, is to determine how this campaign can promote action towards environments conducive to healthy lifestyles. The theoretical framework is based on planned change. The objectives are to 1) evaluate the quality of awareness-raising methods offered by trainers, and 2) place the impacts of the sessions into perspective. A qualitative approach was prioritized, consisting of two focus groups conducted with 17 trainers. From the standpoint of a healthy environment, sensitization sessions expanded networking, provided a common frame of reference and drove coherent actions for stakeholders involved. As an agent of change, the trainer played a key role in implementing the sessions. The conditions offered encouraged the transition from awareness to information, thereby generating significant results in terms of action. A sensitization session is thus a prerequisite for training transformation activities aimed in innovation.

Entrepreneurship education appears to be a promising avenue for developing entrepreneurial skills among young people, this tendency being present in several countries. School is a privileged environment and is targeted since young people are key players in promoting economic growth. The appropriate teaching method for achieving academic and ISSN 2162-6952 2018 www.macrothink.org/jse 18 entrepreneurial goals seems to be the project-based approach. In this regard, entrepreneurship is a privileged context for realization of interdisciplinary projects in order to give meaning to the learning experience. The objective of this study is to describe the process of implementation and deployment of interdisciplinary projects in the context of the entrepreneurial school. Eight individual interviews were conducted with school staff from an entrepreneurial school where several interdisciplinary projects were going on. Our results show that the teacher assumes a key role as a guide throughout the interdisciplinary project in making sure that the education program objectives are attained. However, the lack of collaboration among the teachers remains a challenge in order to equip and help them with the realization of the interdisciplinary projects. Solutions can be identified to facilitate and perpetuate the implementation of these projects in this entrepreneurial context. Journal of Studies in Education