By Todd A. Ward, PhD, BCBA-D
Founding Editor, bSci21.org
If obesity doesn’t kill you, a sedentary lifestyle will.
That is the message of an LA Times article discussing new research study that followed hundreds of thousands of men and women for 12 years. More specifically, findings suggested that “those who got even a little exercise – burning up about 100 calories a day in physical activity – were less likely to die of any cause over a 12-year period than those who were entirely sedentary.”
The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis has numerous studies documenting behavioral interventions that promote exercise. For instance, Andrade, Barry, Litt, and Petry (2014) found that a reinforcement-thinning schedule paired with a pedometer significantly increased walking in sedentary adults. Similarly, Kurti and Dallery (2013) developed an internet-based reinforcement system that significantly increased walking in sedentary adults.
For more information on how behavioral science can increase active lifestyles, also check out the Health, Sport, and Fitness Special Interest Group of the Association for Behavior Analysis International.
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Todd A. Ward, PhD, BCBA-D is President of bSci21 Media, LLC, which owns bSci21.org and BAQuarterly.com. Todd serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Organizational Behavior Management and as an editorial board member for Behavior and Social Issues. He has worked as a behavior analyst in day centers, residential providers, homes, and schools, and served as the director of Behavior Analysis Online at the University of North Texas. Todd’s areas of expertise include writing, entrepreneurship, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Instructional Design, Organizational Behavior Management, and ABA therapy. Todd can be reached at [email protected].
It is great to see information about ABA that is not just on autism; we need to disseminate that principles of behavior apply to everyone. What was the referenced research study from the LA Times? Was it also evidence-based?
Thank you! Dissemination of the entirety of behavior analysis is a primary goal of this site. Yes, all of the studies cited in my articles have data, though not all may be 100% “straight and narrow” behavior analysis. If people outside of BA are doing cool things aligned with our analytic goals (prediction and influence of behavior) then those are worthy of attention too.
Dr. Ward, thank you for your response! I figured as such, but I was curious if it was at least well-rooted in science. I often see “research” cited, and when I take a closer look, I see that it is not in fact even research by our standards. One message I think is important to share, and it seems from your comment that you would agree, is that there is science outside of behavior analysis. As behavior analysts, we cannot disregard “other” true sciences.
Hi, I’m a studwnt of ABA in Hebrew University in Israel I would like to get this artical end enother artical ther abut ABA’
Hi I’m student for ABA im Hebrew University I whold like to get from you artical abut ABA end this artical
thnk you Vered