0000000000460967
AUTHOR
Helga Birgit Bjørnarå
showing 16 related works from this author
From cars to bikes : the effect of an intervention providing access to different bike types : a randomized controlled trial
2019
IntroductionWe aimed to investigate whether providing parents with children in kindergarten with access to different bicycle types could influence (i) travel behavior and cycling amount, and (ii) intrinsic motivation for cycling and psychological constructs related to car use.MethodsA randomized, controlled trial was conducted in Southern Norway from September 2017 to June 2018. In total 36 parents were recruited and randomly drawn into an intervention (n = 18) or control group (n = 18). The intervention group was in random order equipped with an e-bike with trailer (n = 6), a cargo (longtail) bike (n = 6) and a traditional bike with trailer (n = 6).ResultsAt follow-up, more participants fr…
The association between time scarcity, sociodemographic correlates and consumption of ultra-processed foods among parents in Norway: a cross-sectiona…
2017
Background Use of ultra-processed foods has expanded rapidly over the last decades and high consumption has been positively associated with risk of e.g. overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Ultra-processed foods offer convenience as they require minimal time for preparation. It is therefore reasonable to assume that such foods are consumed more often among people who experience time scarcity. The main aim of this study was to investigate the association between time scarcity and consumption of ultra-processed foods among parents of 2-year olds in Norway. A secondary aim was to investigate the association between sociodemographic correlates, weight status and consumption of ultra-process…
From cars to bikes – the feasibility and effect of using e-bikes, longtail bikes and traditional bikes for transportation among parents of children a…
2017
Abstract Background The present study aims to increase bicycling and level of physical activity (PA), and thereby promote health in parents of toddlers, by giving access to different bicycle types. There is a need for greater understanding of e-bikes and their role in the transportation network, and further effects on PA levels and health. Moreover, longtail bikes could meet certain practical needs not fulfilled by e-bikes or traditional bikes, hence increased knowledge regarding their feasibility should be obtained. No previous studies have investigated whether providing an e-bike or a longtail bike over an extended period in a sample of parents of toddlers influence objectively assessed a…
spub-ri-2017-0209-File004 – Supplemental material for Healthy and sustainable diet and physical activity: the rationale for and experiences from deve…
2018
Supplemental material, spub-ri-2017-0209-File004 for Healthy and sustainable diet and physical activity: the rationale for and experiences from developing a combined summary score by Helga Birgit Bjørnarå, Monica Klungland Torstveit and Elling Bere in Scandinavian Journal of Public Health
spub-ri-2017-0209-File003 – Supplemental material for Healthy and sustainable diet and physical activity: the rationale for and experiences from deve…
2018
Supplemental material, spub-ri-2017-0209-File003 for Healthy and sustainable diet and physical activity: the rationale for and experiences from developing a combined summary score by Helga Birgit Bjørnarå, Monica Klungland Torstveit and Elling Bere in Scandinavian Journal of Public Health
The association between adherence to the New Nordic Diet and diet quality.
2016
Background : Previous studies have reported a positive association between scoring on healthy Nordic diet scales and the intake of healthy foods and nutrients, and also with higher intake of meat, sweets, cakes, and energy in general. These studies have used the same food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) responses for constructing the diet score as for calculating intakes of foods and nutrients. Thus, it is not clear whether the coexistence of healthy and less healthy dietary aspects among adherers to Nordic diets would occur even though separate methods were applied for exploring these relations. Objective : To assess the association between adherence to the New Nordic Diet (NND), derived fro…
Does organized sports participation in childhood and adolescence positively influence health? A review of reviews
2021
Highlights • Eight systematic reviews on organized sports participation related to health exist. • Organized sports participation has a moderate effect on crude body weight loss. • Dose relates to anxiety, depression, physical activity, and bone health responses. • Associations with psychological and social health were inconclusive. • Experimental and longitudinal population-based observational studies are needed.
Public employees in South-Western Norway using an e-bike or a regular bike for commuting – A cross-sectional comparison on sociodemographic factors, …
2019
Large-scale analyses on the travel behavior of e-bikes are scarce, and current knowledge regarding who the e-bike owners are is inconsistent. Also, commuters represent a relevant user group with an unexploited potential. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine (i) associations between type of bike (e-bike vs. regular bike) with place of residence (county), sociodemographic variables (age, sex, educational level, income and ethnicity) and habitual physical activity level, and (ii) if public employees possessing an e-bike cycle more often and longer distances to work. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2017 among 1977 (5.2% of eligible subjects) public employees in S…
Food neophobia and its association with intake of fish and other selected foods in a Norwegian sample of toddlers: A cross-sectional study
2016
Reluctance to try novel foods (food neophobia) prevents toddlers from accepting healthy foods such as fish and vegetables, which are important for child development and health. Eating habits established between ages 2 and 3 years normally track into adulthood and are therefore highly influential; even so, there are few studies addressing food neophobia in this age group. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the level of food neophobia and the frequency of toddlers' intake of fish, meat, berries, fruit, vegetables, and sweet and salty snacks. Parents of 505 toddlers completed a questionnaire assessing the degree of food neophobia in their toddlers (mean age 28 mon…
Associations between eating meals, watching TV while eating meals and weight status among children, ages 10–12 years in eight European countries: the…
2012
Background To assess the association of eating meals, and never watching TV while eating meals, with weight status among children, ages 10–12 years across Europe. Methods 7915 children (mean age: 11.5 years) in eight European countries (Belgium, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland) completed a questionnaire at school. Data on meals eaten the day before questionnaire administration and the frequency of eating meals while watching TV were collected. Height and weight of the children were objectively assessed. Multinomial and binary regression analyses were conducted to test associations of eating meals (adjusted for gender and ethnicity) and never watchin…
Is there such a thing as sustainable physical activity?
2016
- This study aims to assess the prevalence of different modes of commuting to school and work for 10-12year-olds and their parents; to assess the associations with demographic variables (country, sex, parental education and ethnicity) and with weight status in eight European countries. As part of the ENERGY project a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2010 in which modes of commuting and socio-demographic variables for children (N=7903) and one of their parents (n=6455) were measured by questionnaires. Children's weight and height were objectively measured; parents self-reported their weight and height. Logistic multilevel regression analyses assessed the associations between mode of c…
E-bikes—good for public health?
2020
Abstract It is well established that physical activity (PA) is health enhancing, and that active travel can increase total PA. The e-bike demands lower levels of intensity for the same pace and distance as a conventional bicycle, due to the assistance of the electrical motor. Still, the e-bike provides PA of at least moderate intensity, for both inactive and active individuals. The net volume of PA from starting to use an e-bike depends almost entirely on the transport mode it replaces, and the changes in travel patterns and other PAs. Overall, people tend to ride longer and more often when they switch from a CB to an e-bike. The impact of psychological health arising from riding an e-bike …
An assessment of the test-retest reliability of the New Nordic Diet score
2015
Background : There is a growing interest in the New Nordic Diet (NND) as a potentially health promoting, environmentally friendly, and palatable regional diet. Also, dietary scores are gaining ground as a complementary approach for examining relations between dietary patterns and various health outcomes. A score assessing adherence to the NND has earlier been published, yet not tested for reliability. Objective : To assess the test–retest reliability of the NND score in a sample of parents of toddlers, residing in Southern Norway. Design : A questionnaire survey was completed on two occasions, approximately 14 days apart, by 67 parents of toddlers [85% females, mean age 34 years (SD=5.3 yea…
The association of breakfast skipping and television viewing at breakfast with weight status among parents of 10-12-year-olds in eight European count…
2014
AbstractObjectiveThe main objective was to assess the relationship of breakfast skipping, television (TV) viewing at breakfast and breakfast without TV with weight status among parents of 10–12-year-olds in eight European countries.DesignA cross-sectional survey assessed breakfast eating and TV viewing at breakfast by three frequency questions and parents were categorized into: (i) breakfast skippers; (ii) breakfast with TV (TV watchers at breakfast); and (iii) breakfast without TV (breakfast eaters who do not watch TV during breakfast). Self-reported weight and height were used to categorize weight status as underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. Multinomial logistic regression …
Healthy and sustainable diet and physical activity: the rationale for and experiences from developing a combined summary score
2018
Aims: First, to describe the rationale for developing a combined summary score, the Healthy and Sustainable Dietary and Physical Activity habits (HSDPA) score, incorporating four selected dietary and physical activity aspects: (a) the New Nordic Diet, (b) local and sustainable foods, (c) active transportation and (d) non-exercise outdoor activities. Secondly, to describe the experiences from constructing the HSDPA score. Methods: Relevant literature covering the four aspects of interest was reviewed to secure a well-grounded rationale and a theory-based approach. To measure compliance with such a broad approach targeting diet, physical activity, health and environmental sustainability, the…
Cumbersome but desirable—Breaking the code of everyday cycling
2020
IntroductionCycling for transport could integrate physical activity (PA) into daily routines and potentially increase total PA levels. However, for parents with young children, most factors affecting transport mode choice tend to facilitate car use. Greater insight is necessary into reasons for (not) using sustainable transport modes in parents with young children. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the experiences, including motives, perceptions, attitudes, and norms, of parents of young children by using an e-bike, a longtail bike, and a traditional bike for everyday travel to the workplace, kindergarten, and the grocery store during the autumn, winter, and spring, in n…