Physical Activity Across the Lifespan

Aleta L. Meyer, Ph.D., is President of Prevention Oppoctunities, LLC, and is a senior social science research analyst in the Division of Child and Family Development, in the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation at the Administration for Children and Families. From 2007-2010, she was a health scientist administrator in the Prevention Research Branch at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Prior to joining NIDA, she was Associate Professor of Psychology in the Clark-Hill Institute for Positive Youth Development at Virginia Commonwealth University. From 1994-1996, she was a Gimbel Child and Family Scholar. She completed her doctoral work in Human Development and Family Studies at The Pennsylvania State University. The focus of her research has been to translate theory and empirical research across multiple health outcomes into effective and feasible health promotion and prevention programs for early adolescents. Thomas P. Gullotta is C.E.O. of Child and Family Agency and a member of the psychology and education departments at Eastern Connecticut State University. His scholarship encompasses co-authorship of two college textbooks, the founding editorship of The Journal of Primary Prevention (Kluwer/Academic 1980 - 2000), co-editor, Advances in Adolescent Development: An Annual Book Series (Sage 1985 - 2000), editor, Prevention in Practice Library: A Monograph Series (Plenum, 1996 - 2001), senior editor, Issues in Childrens' and Families' Lives: A Book Series (Springer 1990 - present). In addition to authoring nearly 100 chapters, papers or reviews, he has co-edited or authored over thirty volumes devoted to illness prevention / promotion of health or the treatment of children, adolescents, and families. Tom was the senior editor for the first edition of the Encyclopedia of Primary Prevention and Health Promotion (Kluwer / Academic, 2003) and has returned to that same role for the anticipated four volume second edition of that reference work (Springer, in progress). His most recent edited volume with Bob Hampton, Handbook of African American Health (Guilford, 2010) was recently recognized by the American Journal of Nursing as the most valuable text of 2010 in the category Community Public Health.

From the reviews: "Educating people about the importance of physical activity, modeling physical activity at a young age to enhance academic performance, and establishing a lifetime of good habits is the goal here. The book is easy to understand and an excellent resource for practitioners (e.g., physical activity professionals, therapists) who may need to educate their constituents that the benefits of physical activity are numerous and can impact quality of life. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above; general audiences." (N. L. Goggin, Choice, Vol. 50 (6), February, 2013)

• Preface; A. L. Meyer, T. P. Gullotta.- Chapter 1. Definitional Issues and Knowledge Gaps; A. Diana.- Chapter 2. Reflections on Rough and Tumble Play, Social Development, and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD); J. Panksepp, E. L. Scott.- Chapter 3. Physical Activity, Cognition, and School Performance: From Neurons to Neighborhoods; D. M. Castelli, C. H. Hillman.- Chapter 4. Influences of Social and Built Environments on Physical Activity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults; F. Li.- Chapter 5. Physical Activity as Depression Treatment; L. L. Craft.- Chapter 6. Physical Activity for the Prevention of Depression; B. M. Kwan, K. J. Davis, A. L. Dunn.- Chapter 7. Physical Activity as Treatment for Obesity; E. Jelalian, A. Sato.- Chapter 8. Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention; N. Zarrett, D. K. Wilson.- Chapter 9. The Role of Physical Activity in Treatment of Substance Use Disorders; D. Pekmezi, L. Carr, B. Barbera, B. H. Marcus.- Chapter 10. Physical Activity for the Prevention of Child and Adolescent Drug Abuse; A. L. Meyer, A. Diana, E. Robertson.- Chapter 11. Individual-Level Behavior Change Strategies to Promote Physical Activity; K. Davis, S. Hubley, J. Leiferman.- Chapter 12. The Mandate for Movement: Schools as Agents of Change; J. J. Ratey, J. Sattelmair, S. Pelican.- Epilogue; T. P. Gullotta,  A. L. Meyer.