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Claudio Nigg, PhD Associate Professor, Social & Behavioral Health Sciences 1960 East West Road, Biomed C105A Honolulu, HI 96822 email: cnigg@hawaii.edu phone: (808) 956-2862 fax: (808) 956-5818

Academic Degrees
PhD (Experimental Psychology), University of Rhode Island
MSc (Kinesiology), University of Calgary
BA (Psychology), University of Calgary

Awards/Honors

Research Interests (past and current)

Current Research Grants
Fun 5: A Physical Activity and Nutrition Program - Dissemination in Elementary Afterschool Plus (A+) Programs. Funded by the Hawai‘i Medical Service Association, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and the Hawaii Medical Service Association Foundation. Given the physical activity (PA) benefits for children, effective approaches using innovative channels are needed. We (Hawaii State Department of Education, Hawai‘i Medical Service Association, University of Hawai‘i, and community organizations) piloted Fun 5 promoting PA and nutrition using the proven Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids-Active Recreation (SPARK AR) in 13 elementary Afterschool Plus (A+) programs (grades 4-6). Sedentary time decreased (21%), and moderate/vigorous PA time increased (140%), reflecting a management decrease and a game play increase. Leisure-time strenuous PA, mild PA, enjoyment, subjective norm and self-efficacy did not change over time. However, moderate PA increased by an average of half a day per week and attitude improved. Limited effects were observed with fruit and vegetable consumption. Due to the pilot s success, Fun 5 is offered for statewide dissemination for Kindergarten to Grade 6. This includes lessons learned: using boosters to maintain leaders motivation; removing communication hierarchies; and minimizing paperwork. 72 sites were trained (over 9000 students) in the first dissemination semester with a planned RE-AIM evaluation. 12/13 pilot sites continue implementation. With increasing childhood obesity and related risks, and decreasing Physical Education, after-school programs are instrumental in promoting PA. This project has been awarded an Innovations in Prevention Award by the US DHHS in October 2005. For more information, see www.hmsa.com/community/programs/fun5/.

Testing the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change. NIH/NCI 1RO1 CA109941. Surprisingly little is known about the mechanisms of change for physical activity and nutrition that can inform the design of successful interventions. Therefore, the primary aim of this project is to identify the mechanisms of behavior change for physical activity (PA) and nutrition (fruit and vegetable consumption) using a novel application of one of the most powerful frameworks of health behavior change - the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM). Specifically: We will determine whether the stages of change, processes, pros, cons, self-efficacy and temptations defined by the TTM moderate and mediate, respectively, self-initiated health behavior changes over a 2 year period among a random, multi-ethnic sample. Due to the longitudinal and multi-behavioral nature of this project we will also be able to investigate the following secondary aims: To identify the longitudinal relationship between behavior change and stage change for PA and fruit and vegetable consumption; and to evaluate the impact that the PA mechanisms have on fruit and vegetable consumption and vice versa. The aims will be addressed via a naturalistic longitudinal design assessing all TTM constructs (stage, processes, pros, cons, self-efficacy [confidence and temptations]) at baseline and 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months follow-up. This type of rigorous comprehensive approach has not been conducted using the entire TTM for PA and nutrition behaviors and directly addresses several core model assumptions and criticisms.

3W – Work Wieght and Wellness (funded title: Overweight and Obesity Control at Worksites). NIH/NHLBI 1 R01 HL0799505-01 (PI Vogt). This project implements a comprehensive lifestyle change program including environmental change and group based intervention attempting to increase physical activity, improve diet and reduce obesity of hotel employees.

Courses Taught
PH 660 Current Topics in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences
PH 699 Directed Reading Research
PH 750 Health Behavior Change
PH 751 Social Epidemiology

Selected Publications
Bolognesi, M., Nigg, C.R., Massarini, M., & Lippke, S. (2006). Reducing Obesity Indicators Through Brief Physical Activity Counseling (PACE) in Italian Primary Care Settings. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 31, 179-185.

Nigg, C., Hellsten, L., Norman, G., Burbank, P., Braun, L., Breger, R., Coday, M., Elliot, D., Garber, G., Greaney, M., Ketevian, S., Lees, S., Matthews, C., Moe, E., Resnick, B., Riebe, D., Rossi, J., Toobert, D., Want, T., Welk, G. & Williams, G. (2005). Physical Activity Staging Distribution: Establishing a Heuristic Using Multiple Studies. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 29 (Suppl), 35-45.

Nigg, C.R. (2005). There is more to Stages of Exercise than Just Exercise. Exercise and Sport Science Reviews, 33, 32-35.

C.R. Nigg, & PA Estabrooks (Guest Eds). (2003). The Future of Exercise Behavior Change Research: Ideas from The Konza Workgroup on Physical Activity Participation. Psychology of Sport Exercise Special Issue, 4.

C.R. Nigg, J Allegrante, & M Ory (Guest Eds). (2002). Behavior Change Consortium. Health Education Research Special Issue, 17.