Associations between individual and environmental factors and habitual physical activity among older Chinese adults:A social–ecological perspective

Purpose: To examine, within a social–ecological framework, associations between multifaceted individual and environmental factors and habitual physical activity(HPA) among older Chinese adults.Methods: Through a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, a survey instrument assessing various factors underlying 3 social–ecological dimensions of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community and environmental resources was developed. Using a cross-sectional design, older adults(n = 1580, aged 67 ± 7 years) recruited from 10 communities in Shandong province completed the social–ecological survey of HPA. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Path Modeling.Results: Factors related to intrapersonal(medical knowledge, motivation, physical function, sport skills, socioeconomic status, and education),interpersonal(social support, social activity, and social norms), and community and physical environmental resources(safety, capacity, availability of and access to physical activity facilities) were found to be significantly associated with older adults' participation in HPA.Conclusion: The findings provide an initial validation of a social–ecological approach to the study of HPA in China, suggesting that strategies aimed at promoting physical activity in older adults should address multiple levels of factors that may contribute to the likelihood of older Chinese adults being physically active.

Research on Coupling Relationship between Social Economy and Ecological Environment in Jinghe County of Aiby Lake Basin,Xinjiang

Based on the theory of sustainable development,using the theory and method of coupling relationship,the main city of Aiby Lake basin——Jinghe County in Xinjiang is selected. Based on the analyses of natural condition,population growth,land use type and ecological environment,the comprehensive evaluation index systems of socio-economic development level and eco-environment quality in Jinghe County are constructed. Using principal component analysis,a comprehensive evaluation of socio-economic development level and ecological environment quality in Jinghe County is conducted by combining with Excel. Their coupling relationship is studied,and quantitative coordination degree between social economy and ecological environment in Jinghe County is obtained. The results show that in recent 50 years,socio-economic development level in Jinghe County is rising,but the ecological environment quality is falling. Their coupling degree C changes during [- 1. 260, ＋ 0. 482],in other words,their coupling relationship is changing between ＂ reluctant coordination＂ and ＂ not coordination＂. After entering into the 21 stcentury,their coupling relationship is basically ＂ reluctant coordination＂. On this basis,the existing problems in the process of sustainable development in Jinghe County are analyzed,and the suggestions about promoting coordinated development between social economy and ecological environment are put forward.

Promoting Sustainability with Ecological,Economic and Social Dimensions in Developing Countries

Sustainable development is one of the most important ideas,and goals of our time.It is defined as"development which meets the needs and aspirations of the current generation and develops safe and sound society for future generation".Achieving sustainable development thus involves a vigorous and urgent debate on different dimensions.The different dimensions of sustainability as a framework involve all issues such as science,technology,economic growth and development,health,education,finance investment and trade,politics,natural disasters,population growth and terrorism,etc.No single dimension is responsible to develop sustainable society.This article mainly described the integrated relationship among the three dimensions of sustainability.

Factor analysis and countermeasure simulation on the socio-ecological environment risks during the development of coalbed methane:based on the DEMATEL and FCM models

The socio-ecological environmental problem caused by the development of coalbed methane(CBM)is becoming more serious,so it is very significant for accelerating the development of CBM industrialization to identify the main influential factors of socioecological environmental risks and take effective risk prevention measures.Based on the triangular fuzzy number method,this paper firstly establishes a comprehensive correlation matrix.Then,the affected factors of socio-ecological environmental risks are analyzed by the DEMATEL method during the development of CBM.Then according to the aspects of centrality and causality,the key indicators are determined.Furthermore,the scenario simulation based on the FCM,the steady-state value and the comprehensive importance of key indicators,and the core indicators are selected.Finally,the scenario simulation of risk management countermeasure is done.The results show that:①The index weights are calculated by the triangular fuzzy numbers,and the correlation matrix in DEMATEL is obtained by the weight ratio,which reduces the shortcomings and the subjectivity of traditional DEMATEL method.②The correlation matrix in FCM is established based on the comprehensive correlation matrix in the above improved DEMATEL,which not only makes the FCM model more comprehensive and reduces the difficulty that the FCM correlation matrix is obtained considering the indirect influence relationship between indicators,but also makes up for the disadvantages that DEMATEL excludes during the selection of the core indexes,which are the considerations of the dynamic change of the importance of the indicators.③The rate of forestry and grass coverage,the ratio of investment in prevention and construction,the pollution index of soil Merlot,the reliability of machinery and equipment,the standard evaluation index of major pollution factors of underground water,and the ability of personal risk prevention are the key indicators,in which the rate of forestry and grass coverage,the ratio of investment in prevention and construction,and the reliability of machinery and equipment are the core indicators and are extremely important for the management of socio-ecological environmental risks during the development of coalbed methane.④The results of the scenario simulation of risk management countermeasure show that the core variables affect the socio-ecological environmental risks through such indicators as the degree of production mechanization,the degree of demolition and resettlement,and the ratio of economic loss by the influenced mechanism analysis;the ratio of investment in prevention and construction has the greatest impact on the socio-ecological environment risks in the early stage of CMB development,while the rate of forestry and grass coverage is the most important in the middle and late stages by the influenced result analysis.Therefore,this paper puts forward some corresponding stage suggestions on the prevention and control of socio-ecological environmental risks during the CMB development.In the early stage of CMB development,the ratio of investment in prevention and construction should be increased.In the middle stage,it is very important to reduce the damage of vegetation regions and to improve the reliability of machinery and equipment;in the late stage,the investment in prevention and construction should be increased steadily and the recovery of damaged vegetation areas should be focused on.

Moscow and Moscow Region： Ecological Focus for Sustainable Development

This paper presents some results of sustainable urban-planning development in Moscow Capital Region. Moscow City and Moscow Region （Moscow Oblast） are the parts of the Moscow Capital Region. According to the Constitution of Russia, adopted in December 1993, Moscow Region and Moscow City are two independent federal subjects of Russian Federation. The sustainable development of Moscow City and Moscow Region as an integrated regional economic and natural complex which plays the most important part in Russia＇s economy must be based on the integrated solution to the problems of environmental protection, social equity, and economic feasibility. The latest initiative of Russian Government concerns the creation of the Greater Moscow within the new borders of Moscow. Making the decision on the extension of the city limits and stimulation of the Moscow Agglomeration development provides the real way of resolution of the accumulated problems and provides enormous impetus to the sustainable development. The key task of the environmentally sound development of the Greater Moscow is to relieve the historical center of Moscow City; maintain the rational balance of built-up areas, natural and rural landscapes; ensure joint control of the urban development and economic activity; and create the favorable environment for the population.

The Interpretation of Lawrence’s Poetry from the Perspective of Ecocriticism Theory

Based on ecocriticism theory,this paper is to conduct a comprehensive discussion of Lawrence’s poetry from three aspects:natural ecology,social ecology and spiritual ecology,to explore the profound ecological philosophical implications contained in Lawrence’s poetry,and to expand the breadth and depth of the ecocriticism interpretation of Lowe’s poetry research.

Correlates of long-term physical activity adherence in women

Background: Little is known about the factors that may influence women's adherence to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) using longitudinal data. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlates of long-term physical activity(PA) participation among women.Methods: Female data from Waves I, III, and IV(n = 5381) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health(Add Health) were used for the analysis. The outcome of PA adherence was operationalized as(1) consistently physically active(at least 5 instances during the week)in both Waves III and IV(during adulthood), and(2) consistently not physically active or only physically active in either Wave III or IV. Predictor variables from Wave I(during adolescence) included race/ethnicity, PA level, self-perception of being physically fit, general health status, attempt to change weight, parents' income level, parents' education, well-being, depression, access to PA resources, days of physical education(PE), and grade level. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models were utilized to estimate the adjusted odds ratio(a OR) and 95% confidence interval(95%CI) for the outcome variable.Results: PA levels during adolescence significantly predicted PA adherence(a OR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.35–2.05). Additionally, wanting to lose weight(a OR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.20–1.85), using fitness center in the neighborhood(a OR = 1.29, 95%CI: 1.05–1.58), and having 5 days of PE a week(a OR = 1.48, 95%CI: 1.09–2.02) were significant predictors. Women who did not perceive being physically fit(a OR = 0.65, 95%CI: 0.44–0.95)and Black, non-Hispanics(a OR = 0.60, 95%CI: 0.44–0.82) were less likely to adhere to PA.Conclusion: The findings suggested that physically active adolescents were more likely to become active adults. Future research should address interventions(e.g., PE program, community resources) that may promote lifetime PA in women, with the goal of decreasing morbidity and mortality.

A Transition from Wood Fuel to LPG and Its Impact on Energy Conservation and Health in the Central Himalayas, India

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impacts of the transition from wood fuel to Liquefied Petroleum Gas （LPG） from energy use and health perspectives along an altitudinal gradient （viz., lower altitude; middle altitude; and higher altitude） of the Central Himalayas. Empirical field study and questionnaire based survey was conducted for obtaining the data. A total of 2o households from each altitude were selected for obtaining reliable information on the actual quantity of fuelwood consumed. Of the 2o households, five households each based on the family size i.e., small families （〈4 members）, medium （5-8 members） and large （〉9 members） from all the altitudinal regions were selected. This was followed by an administration of a questionnaire on the quantity of fuelwood consumed. After the completion of the questionnaire survey, the data was validated using a weighted survey for the randomly selected households for obtaining precise information on the actual quantity of fuelwood consumed. Energy analysis is done with respect to the time spent on fuelwood collection and energy value of burning of per kg of fuelwood. Study indicates that declining biomass requirement from forests contributes significantly towards energy conservation, also has positive impact on human health. Per capita annual energy expenditure on collection of fuelwood is 752 MJ which is higher than any other activity in villages of Central Himalaya. The LPG substitution has contributed to energy saving which is equivalent to 2976-3,742 MJ per capita per year in middle and lower altitudes respectively. In the higher altitude the energy saving is calculated to be about 257 MJ per capita per year. Replacing fuelwood with LPG has made positive impact on society in terms of improving the health while reducing diseases that are caused due to indoor air pollution.

Contribution of Sumalindo Company:In Managing Forest Resources with Local Communities:Mahakam Ulu-East Kalimantan

The role of HPH(Forest Logging Concession)in developing rural communities is very significant.SLJ(Sumalindo Lestari Jaya)as HPH company has an important contribution in empowering local communities,especially in opening land transportation in the interior and helping to build agriculture and gardens.The existence of Sumalindo company participates in developing forest resource management with local communities,among others,increasing livelihoods,maintaining and developing biodiversity conservation and maintaining climate change.These efforts are in accordance with the regulations of the KLHK(Ministry of Environment and Forestry),that every HPH holder is required(mandatory)to obtain a certificate of“PHAPL”(Sustainable Production Natural Forest Management)and an“eco label”from the Indonesian Eco Label Institute.Besides,it is recommended that the holders of HPH concessions and HTI(Industrial Timber Plantations)have an FSC(Forest Stewardship Council)certificate from the EU(European Union),and must meet three indicator elements,namely economic,social and ecological in SFM(Sustainable Forest Management).This article examines three critical questions that show the role of Sumalindo Company in economic,ecological and social development and managing forest resources with the community as follows:(1)The role of Sumalindo company contributes to the development of road infrastructure in the interior;(2)The role of Sumalindo in improving livelihoods and economic and social empowerment of local communities;(3)The role of Sumalindo with local communities in managing forest resources,including maintaining and developing biodiversity conservation and maintaining climate change.

A method to determine the spatial allocation standard of social ecological compensation

Ecological compensation is a hot subject in academic studies, and the determination of the spatial allocation of compensation payments is a key point in the research of ecological compensation. There are two kinds of thoughts in the determination of regional spatial allocation at present： ＂evaluation of ecological construction cost＂ and ＂evaluation of ecosys- tem services value＂. This paper analyzes the relationships between social ecological com- pensation and regional socio-economic development, and establishes two econometric models with the data of 2007 from various provinces in China. Through these models, the impacts of geographical endowments on the regional socio-economic development in various provinces are analyzed from the social justice viewpoint and the concept of ＂equivalent value of geographical endowments＂ （EGE for short） is proposed. This paper analyzes the application prospect of EGE in the policy making of regional ecological compensation. The results showed that： （1） the implementation of social ecological compensation is not only an effective guarantee for each region to obtain the equal rights of survival, development and decent environment, but also an essential assurance to the coordinated, balanced and sustainable development among various regions; （2） the regional difference in geographical endowments is an important factor affecting the regional spatial variation of socio-economic development. Therefore, geographical endowments are important bases for the determination of the spatial allocation of compensation payments in social ecological compensation; （3） based on the EGE, the government can determine the spatial allocation of social ecological compensation scientifically, and avoid the ＂sweeping approach＂ phenomenon in the policy making process of ecological compensation.

Theoretical Model on Factors Influencing Street Physical Activity from a Social Ecological Perspective

Insufficient physical activity has become a significant issue of global health.To optimize the environment of streets,an important kind of public space in cities,is an effective way to push residents to engage in daily physical activities.Due to the complexity of behaviors,identifying the relevant influencing factors and their relationship,as well as building a comprehensive research framework are key to making environmental development strategies.Therefore,from a social ecological perspective,this paper analyzes the basic logic of these influencing factors at various levels and summarizes their specific content.According to the rational interpretation on behavioral decision-making based on the theory of health behavior,the paper builds a multi-dimensional model on factors influencing physical activity from theoretical and cognitive perspectives.By exploring the model’s structural relationship,it concludes that strategies considering street physical factors are conductive to physical activity interventions from multiple dimensions.As theoretical deduction needs to be continuously verified and optimized in empirical studies,it proposes suggestions for the next stage of research on data support of quantitative analysis.

Psychometric properties of questionnaires to measure social ecological influences in Vietnamese children

Physical activity data in primary school-aged children are limited in Vietnam.Although tools to measure social ecological influences on physical activity are validated in English,they are not available in Vietnamese.Due to cultural and contextual differences,their psychometric properties need to be tested.Five scales were translated into Vietnamese and evaluated for internal consistency and test re-test reliability,including self-efficacy,perceived social influences,and beliefs self-administered by students,and parental support for physical activity and parental perceived safety of the neighbourhood,self-administered by parents.Compared to the original scales,two items from the parental perceived neighbourhood safety were removed due to the cultural context.Another item of the self-efficacy scale was also removed as it correlated poorly with the other items in the scale at both administrations.The adjusted scales were found to be reliable and appropriate for use among students and parents to measure social ecological influences on physical activity in the Vietnamese context.