Active Living Laboratory - University of Otago

BEATS-2 Study data collection completed in June totaling 1,828 surveyed students and 9.5 years of BEATS Research findings and activities recognised at last weeks BEATS Symposium 2022.....the BEATS team have much to celebrate. Congratulations to all! See link to media article below for more details:

‘Little change’ in teens’ habits The physical activity levels, screen time and nutrition of adolescents in Dunedin and Otago were intensely scrutinised by researchers in last week...

"School bags, a heavy topic" - Dr Sandy Mandic talks to Bryan Crump on Radio NZ about the latest BEATS Study research findings on school bag weights and active transport , listen here:

RNZ Audio Player

Latest BEATS Research findings highlight school bag weight-related issues facing adolescents travel to school. Link to University of Otago media release provided below:

Hefty bags hindering active transport to school Heavy school bags are a “significant” issue for teenagers, with one-third of them thinking their bag is too heavy to walk or bike to school, BEATS Research from University of Otago shows.

BEATS-2 research findings inspire Dunedin school to make policy changes. Media article below:

Otago Boys’ bans phones Do you remember the days of the old school yard, when we used to scroll Twitter at lunchtime? Otago Boys’ High School rector Richard Hall hopes...

Another BEATS Study publication: BEATS Study findings examining the influence of school choice on adolescent active transport.

School zoning could increase adolescent exercise rates, Otago researcher If effective school zoning policies were widely applied, more adolescents would get valuable exercise walking or cycling to their nearest school, an Otago researcher says.

Congratulations to Mohammad Lutfur on the publication of his BEATS-2 article "A Conceptual Framework for Modelling Safe Walking and Cycling Routes to High Schools" in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in May 2020:
https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mdpi.com%2F1660-4601%2F17%2F9%2F3318&data=02%7C01%7Clutfur.rahman%40postgrad.otago.ac.nz%7Cd0e1b59235344c01e51408d7f4b5da83%7C0225efc578fe4928b1579ef24809e9ba%7C1%7C1%7C637246934293137515&sdata=KOYbtoHQkl%2FGVOVxcrsb%2FZhEcCJ%2FicrVcbQfPCoL6U4%3D&reserved=0

A Conceptual Framework for Modelling Safe Walking and Cycling Routes to High Schools Active transport to or from school presents an opportunity for adolescents to engage in daily physical activity. Multiple factors influence whether adolescents actively travel to/from school. Creating safe walking and cycling routes to school is a promising strategy to increase rates of active trans...

Unusual circumstances and a graduation cancelled due to COVID-19 but BEATS Study masters student, Jessica Calverley was surprised by a very special graduation ceremony of her own this weekend. Congratulations on completing your masters degree Jessica and on behalf of the BEATS team we wish you all the success in your future studies and career.

No.8-wire graduation ‘super-special’ Dunedin woman Jessica Calverley was surprised with a makeshift graduation ceremony like no other by her flatmates at the weekend.

Recognition of the significant impact the BEATS Research Programme has had over the past 7 years.

'BEATS project pushes change' - University of Otago Magazine Issue 50, April 2020:

www.otago.ac.nz

BEATS team together again: team members catch up yesterday via zoom during the COVID-19 New Zealand lock down. While the BEATS-2 Study is put on hold the team enjoy a virtual moment together. Lots of laughter, shared stories and collective support. Kia kaha!

First week of BEATS-2 data collection and we're off to a great start with 4 days of data collection and over 100 students surveyed so far. The BEATS research journey continues into 2020!