University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center

04/25/2026

Turns out small movements while sitting may actually support your health. A recent study in Experimental Physiology found that light leg movements during prolonged sitting may help reduce some of the negative effects of inactivity on circulation. So yes- even subtle movement counts.

The objective of this work was to examine whether leg-fidgeting breaks during prolonged sitting could be a practical alternative to standing breaks in preventing blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (H...

04/24/2026

Classroom-based physical activity can help improve student engagement and behavior, but many schools still struggle with consistent use.

A recent study in BMC Public Health found that the MAGIC program- which supports teachers through training, leadership support, and monthly resources was well received and practical in real school settings.

The findings suggest that simple, structured support can make it easier to bring movement into everyday classroom learning.

Background Classroom-based approaches are an evidence-based way to improve children’s physical activity; however, they are inconsistently implemented in schools. We developed MAGIC (Movement for Academic Growth In Classrooms), a multifaceted implementation strategy that consists of leadership trai...

04/23/2026

Loneliness is more than a social experience, it is increasingly recognized as a public health concern. A 2026 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Health Psychology found consistent links between loneliness, poorer overall health, physical limitations, and disrupted sleep, even among healthy populations. Social connection is not optional- it is part of health.
https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.70040

04/17/2026

Findings from a 2025 Frontiers in Nutrition trial highlight the role of nutrition in maintaining physical function with age. Higher protein intake (1.2 g/kg/day vs 0.8) improved muscle strength, lean mass, and body composition in older women with sarcopenia.

Dietary protein is crucial in preserving muscle mass and promoting long-term bone health, particularly in aging populations. The novelty of this study lies i...

04/17/2026

In rural communities, what people believe about healthy eating-and the support they get from others-plays a measurable role in what they eat. A 2026 study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that stronger confidence and social support were tied to healthier diets and reduced ultra-processed food intake.

If you don't remember your password, you can reset it by entering your email address and clicking the Reset Password button. You will then receive an email that contains a secure link for resetting your password

04/15/2026

A 2026 Pediatrics article reported that adding mindfulness-based stress support to nutrition and physical activity education helped reduce parent stress and support healthier child BMI patterns compared to nutrition education alone.

Supporting caregiver wellbeing may strengthen early childhood health outcomes.

10.1542/6388055738112Video AbstractPEDS-VA_2025-0722306388055738112OBJECTIVE. To assess whether a novel parent stress with nutrition vs nutrition alone intervention decreases early childhood obesity risk.METHODS. A prospective, parallel, 12-week randomized controlled trial with parents who were over...

04/10/2026

As mental health apps and digital monitoring tools become increasingly common, knowing which measurement tools actually work has never been more important. A new scoping review found that digital mental health monitoring still overwhelmingly relies on outdated, illness-focused questionnaires originally designed for pen-and-paper use and calls for a new generation of purpose-built digital tools that measure mental well-being too.

With the ubiquity of smartphones, digital self-report instruments have enormous potential to support the general population in monitoring their mental health. A primary challenge for researchers committed to advancing this work is simply to scope ...

04/10/2026

Many people mix Google, ChatGPT, Alexa, and more to find health information. However, not everyone gets the same results.
A 2025 study by researchers at Cornell University and Brown University found voice assistants struggle with accents, AI misses non-Western medical knowledge, and less tech-savvy users can get confused.
Speed matters but so does whether the tool actually works for your community. Trusted local health sources are more important than ever.

Background: Online health information seeking is undergoing a major shift with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI)–powered technologies such as voice assistants and large language models (LLMs). While existing health information–seeking behavior models have long explained how people find ...

04/09/2026

Behavior change often starts with awareness.

A 2025 study in JMIR Research Protocols found that tracking physical activity and dietary habits is linked to meaningful improvements over time.

This week, observe one habit such as your movement or eating patterns.

Background: Self-monitoring is a vital component of behavioral obesity treatment. It often involves tracking dietary intake, physical activity, and body weight. However, the optimal combination of self-monitoring strategies that maximizes weight loss is unknown. To address this gap, we leverage a fr...

04/04/2026

Not all ultra-processed foods are equally “bad” for you.

A 2026 BMJ review shows that processed meats and sweetened drinks are linked to higher risks of diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues. But some ultra-processed breads, cereals, and plant-based alternatives may actually lower risk.

This means the type of food matters more than just the level of processing. Choosing wisely still counts!

This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.

04/03/2026

Family environments can shape children’s nutrition and activity patterns in meaningful ways.

A 2026 study found that regular family meals and healthier beverage choices were associated with lower risk of childhood obesity, while greater screen time was linked to higher risk.

These findings highlight how everyday household routines may influence long-term health outcomes.

Read more:

What are the main findings? Healthier beverage choices, family meals, and eating habits predict lower obesity risk in children. Screen exposure significantly increases obesity odds. What are the implications of the main findings? Pediatric ...

04/02/2026

The Brown Bottle meeting is always a valuable space for exchanging ideas and advancing research on physical activity and health.