Assessing the Effects of Plants and Exercise Locations on Individuals in Hawaii

Abstract

Adult obesity is one of the main concerns in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 78.6 million or 34.9% of the US adult population are obese. Of that, 22.7% of Hawaii’s adults are obese, while 56.4% of Hawaii’s adults are overweight. This project focuses on studying the effects that plants and exercise locations have on individuals in Hawaii. By understanding if plants and exercise locations affect physical activity among individuals in this target population, new recommendations can be made to help them gain a healthier lifestyle. Participants’ psychophysiological responses were measured by determining their heart rate (ECG), brain waves (EEG), muscle contraction (EMG), and skin responses (GSR). Participants’ stress levels were also measured using cortisol saliva test and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELIZA) to determine their cortisol’s level of expression. The data generated from this pilot study will add greatly to the exercise habits of individuals in this health category and the associated environmental conditions in which exercising are preferred.