Welcome to Dr. Chris Ardern's Research in Epidemiology, Activity, and Cardiometabolic Health Laboratory

Faculty of Health - School of Kinesiology & Health Science, at York University.

The mission of the Physical Activity & Lifestyle Epidemiology Lab is to:

1. Examine the influence of sex, gender, ethnicity, and time-in-country on physical activity and subsequent health risk
2. Identify subgroups of the population that are at high-risk for chronic disease
3. Explore the role of built environment on physical activity and chronic disease
4. Validate and refine screening tools for the identification of chronic disease and associated early intervention strategies
5. Mobilize research findings and advocate for physical activity awareness and support

***WHAT'S NEW***

►October 26, 2010
The REACH lab will be presenting at "CSEP 2010: Exploring the Routes to Health and Fitness", taking place Nov 3-6, 2010 in Toronto, ON.  

**********

►October 26, 2010
Join the Canadian Obesity Network - Student and New Professional (CON-SNP) @York facebook page so we can keep you updated on any news and events that we have planned for you this year.  Feel free to “Like” the page and to share it with your friends and labmates! 

► May 1, 2010
Congratulations to Vivian, Eric, and Erika for winning the Masters' (oral) presentation award at the 2nd Canadian Obesity Student Meeting!

**********

► April 28, 2010
The 2nd Canadian Obesity Student Meeting will be taking place June 9 - 12, 2010 - University of Ottawa, Ontario, where the Physical Activity & Lifestyle Epidemiology Lab will be presenting the following abstracts:

The influence of weight variability during adulthood on morbidity outcomes in older women: Results from the Women’s Health Initiative
K.Y. Taing, C.I. Ardern, and J.L. Kuk

Longitudinal Changes of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors
V.Poon, J.L. Kuk, and C.I. Ardern

Associations between leisure‐time and transport-related physical activity with objective measures of the built environment among BMI strata
E. de Sa, C.I. Ardern

Obesity and Health Risk in Off-Reserve Aboriginals and Non-Aboriginals
J.X. Nie, V. Poon, E. de Sa, C.I. Ardern

**********

► April 28, 2010
The REACH Lab will be attending the "3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health", May 5-8, 2010, in Toronto, Ontario. ( The final Congress program can be found here).

REACH Lab will be well represented at the Congress - Oral and Poster presentations to be presented include:

Perceived Walkability and Correlates of Physical Activity in Low-SES, Ethnic Minority Women
D. Perez, P. Ritvo, P. Brown, C.I. Ardern.

Relation between Time Spent in Sedentary Activities and Self-perceived General and Mental Health
E. de Sa, V. Poon, C.I. Ardern.

Sedentary Time, Weight Stability, and Risk of All-Cause Mortality
E. Raeifar, J.L. Kuk, C.I. Ardern.

Prediction of Mortality Risk using the Edmonton Obesity Staging System: Influence of Cardiorespiratory Fitness
J.L. Kuk, C.I. Ardern, T.S. Church, A.M. Sharma, R. Padwal, X. Sui, S.N. Blair.

Tai Chi Focus Group Recruitment: Lessons Learned
J. Manson, M. Athaide, P. Ritvo, C. Ardern, H. Tamim.

Physical Activity Preferences of Canadians: Variation by Ethnicity and Time-in-Country
S. Dogra, B.A. Meisner, C.I. Ardern.

Impact of Participant Incentives and Direct Versus Snowball Sampling on Survey Response Rate in an Ethnically Diverse Community: Results from a Pilot Study of Physical Activity and the Built Environment
J.X. Nie, D. Perez, C.I. Ardern, N. Radhu, P. Ritvo.

**********

► December 1, 2009
Longwoods Health and Healthcare News: "Healthy" and "Unhealthy" Obese People have Similar Mortality Risk: York U Study
TORONTO – Being seriously overweight will cut your life short, even if you experience no major health problems as a result of your condition, according to a new study by researchers in York University’s Faculty of Health.

**********

► November 20, 2009
Read it on Global News: A few extra pounds may help elderly live longer
NEW YORK – Prior to reaching the golden years, too much body fat tends to increase the risk of dying, but extra weight may have the opposite effect for older adults, a new study hints. Higher fat mass in older adults "is thought to be an energy reserve that helps the individual survive illnesses and chronic conditions," Dr. Jennifer L. Kuk, from York University in Toronto, Ontario, noted in an email to Reuters Health.

**********