Research Statement
I have been working as the lead data analyst in the NFL PLAY 60 FitnessGram project, which has provided training and support to a network of over 1100 schools across the nation. My research interests also include validating subjective measure (Youth Activity Profile) and objective measure (e.g., consumer- and research-grade activity monitor) for physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Designing and disseminating evidence-based behavioral intervention program with technology to prevent and treat chronic diseases are the new line of my research agenda.
Research Keywords
- Research Methods/Statistics
- Physical Activity and Fitness Assessment
- Physical Activity Interventions
- Health Promotion
- Behavioral epidemiology
Presentations
- Bai, Y., Copeland, W., Lerner, M., Rettew, J., & Hudziak, J. (2019) Examining Trends in Mood in Relation to Daily Wellness and Risk Behaviors in a College Student Population. Presented at 2019 American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry annual meeting, Chicago, IL. Presentation, Presented, 10/2019.
- Lerner, M., Copeland, W., Bai, Y., Adams, Z., King, J., Rettew, J., & Hudziak, J. (2019) Mood and Wellness-Related Behaviors in the University of Vermont Wellness Environment: Analysis of Bidirectional Longitudinal Relations. Presented at 2019 American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry annual meeting, Chicago, IL. Presentation, Presented, 10/2019.
- Adams, Z., King, J., Lerner, M., Bai, Y., Copeland, W., Rettew, J., Hudziak, J., & Brewer, J. (2019) Unwinding Anxiety: Using Technology to Promote Mental Health in College Students. Presented at 2019 American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry annual meeting, Chicago, IL. Presentation, Presented, 10/2019.
- King, J., Adams, Z., Copeland, W., Lerner, M., Bai, Y., Rettew, J., & Hudziak, J. (2019) Wellness Environment Health Promotion App Study: Longitudinal Trends in Adult Self-Report Subscale Scores. Presented at 2019 American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry annual meeting, Chicago, IL. Presentation, Presented, 10/2019.
- Bai, Y., & Welk, G. (2019) Longitudinal Association Between Youth Fitness and Academic Achievement. Presented at 2019 SHAPE America national convention, Tampa, FL. Presentation, Presented, 04/2019.
- Lerner, M., Bai, Y., Adams, Z., Ellis, J., Ivanova, M., King, J., & Hudziak, J. (2018) Exploring Correlates of Physical Activity Level as Measured by Smartwatch: An Initial Examination of Gender, Living Environment, and Seasonal Effects. Presented at 2018 American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry annual meeting, Seattle, WA. Presentation, Presented, 10/2018.
- Hudziak, J., Adams, Z., Bai, Y., King, J., Lerner, M., Ellis, J., & Rettew, J. (2018) University of Vermont Wellness Environment: Preliminary Results of the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Pre- and Mid-Year Screening Survey. Presented at 2018 American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry annual meeting, Seattle, WA. Presentation, Presented, 10/2018.
- Bai, Y., Yi, X., Fu, Y., Burns, R., & Zhang, P. (2018) Body Mass Index and Physical Fitness among Chinese Adolescents from Shandong Province: A Cross-sectional Study. Presented at 2018 International Society of Behavior Nutrition and Physical Activity annual convention satellite meeting, Beijing, China. Presentation, Presented, 06/2018.
- Zhu, Z., Ma, S., Bai, Y., Tang, Y., Zhuang, J., Liu, Y., Chen, P., & Cao, Z. (2018) Associations of Physical Activity And Screen Time With Obesity In Chinese Children And Adolescents. Presented at the 2018 ACSM national convention, Minneapolis, MN. Presentation, Presented, 05/2018.
- Bai, Y. (2018) Youth Fitness Surveillance – Considerations for School, District and State Level Tracking. Presented at 2018 SHAPE America national convention-Measurement and Evaluation Symposium, Nashville, TN. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 03/2018.
- Stoeckel, K., Koski, L., Neeb, M., Bai, Y., & Gell, N. (2017) How accurate are consumer monitors in estimating activity minutes in a free-living setting? Presented at the 2017 New England ACSM conference, Providence, RI. Presentation, Presented, 11/2017.
- Taylor, H., Park, E., Dione, D., Bai, Y., & Gell, N. (2017) Validity of activity monitors on step estimation in a free-living setting. Presented at the 2017 New England ACSM conference, Providence, RI. Presentation, Presented, 11/2017.
- Bai, Y., Welk, G.J., Hibbing, P., & Mantis, K. (2017) Which heart rate-based monitor is better: Apple Watch or Fitbit Charge HR? Presented at the 2017 ICAMPAM conference, Bethesda, MD. Presentation, Presented, 06/2017.
- Bai, Y., Welk, GJ. & Saint-Maurice, PF., (2017) Associations between enjoyment and both physical activity and sedentary behavior among youth. Presented at 2017 International Society of Behavior Nutrition and Physical Activity annual convention, Victoria, Canada. Presentation, Presented, 06/2017.
- Perez, M., Ellingson, L., Bai, Y., Peyer, K., & Welk, G.J. (2017) Physical Activity Trackers in Combination with Motivational Interviewing to Increase Activity. Presented at the 2017 ACSM national convention, Denver, CO. Presentation, Presented, 05/2017.
- Southard, K., Hibbing, P., Bai, Y., Ellingson, L., & Welk, G.J. (2017) Equivalence of self-report and accelerometer measures following a physical activity intervention. Presented at the 2017 ACSM national convention, Denver, CO. Presentation, Presented, 05/2017.
- Meier, N., Bai, Y., & Lee, DC. (2017) Validation of a Multi-Electrode Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis with a Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry. Presented at the 2017 ACSM national convention, Denver, CO. Presentation, Presented, 05/2017.
- Bai, Y., Ellingson, L., & Welk, G.J. (2017) The Validity of Fitbit Charge in Free Living Conditions. Presented at the 2017 ACSM national convention, Denver, CO. Presentation, Presented, 05/2017.
- Welk, G., Vazou, S., Chen, S., & Bai, Y. (2017) Influence of teacher motivation and school engagement on CSPAP outcomes. Presented at 2017 SHAPE America national convention, Boston, MA. Presentation, Presented, 03/2017.
- Bai, Y., Zhu, W., & Welk, GJ. (2016) Texas youth fitness surveillance: lessons and future directions. Presented at Symposium of Improve Fitness and health: the Exercise approach, Shanghai, China. Presentation, Presented, 12/2016.
- Schaben, J., Chen, S., Welk, G., Vazou, S., Liu, Y., & Bai, Y. (2016) Physical activity and fitness knowledge: What do they know and does it impact behavior? Presented at the 2016 ACSM national convention, Boston, MA. Presentation, Presented, 05/2016.
- Bai, Y., Welk G.J., & Allums-Featherston, KA. (2016) Longitudinal change in youth body mass index in Texas from 2012 to 2015. Presented at the 2016 ACSM national convention, Boston, MA. Presentation, Presented, 05/2016.
- Welk G.J., Bai, Y., Saint-Maurice P.F., Allums-Featherston, KA., & Norman, C. (2016) The Impact of NFL PLAY 60 Programming on Youth Fitness outcomes. Presented at the 2016 ACSM national convention, Boston, MA. Presentation, Presented, 05/2016.
- Chen, S., Bai, Y., Liu, Y., Schaben, J., Vazou, S., Welk, G., & Hong, D. (2016) Trend analysis of youth physical activity, sedentary behavior, and motivation. Presented at the 2016 ICSPAH annual forum, Minneapolis, MN. Presentation, Presented, 04/2016.
- Welk G.J., Saint-Maurice P.F., & Bai, Y. (2016). Application of the Youth Activity Profile for evaluating youth physical activity and sedentary behavior. Presented at 2016 Shape America national Convention & Expo, Minneapolis, MN. Presentation, Presented, 04/2016.
- Vazou, S., Welk, G.J., Chen, S., & Bai, Y. (2016) Self-Regulations for Educators Questionnaire (SREQ): Measurement Development and Validation. Presented at 2016 Shape America national Convention & Expo, Minneapolis, MN. Presentation, Presented, 04/2016.
- Saint-Maurice P.F., Hibbling. P., Bai, Y., & Welk, G.J. (2016) Agreement between print and online versions of the Youth Activity Profile. Presented at the 2016 ACSM national convention, Boston, MA. Presentation, Presented, 04/2016.
- Saint-Maurice, PF., Bai, Y., & Welk, GJ. (2015) The Healthy Fitness Zone continuum as a measure of change in youth BMI: an example using 2012-2014 data from Georgia. Presented at Georgia Shape Research Symposium, Athens, GA. Presentation, Presented, 11/2015.
- Lee, J.A., Bai, Y., Laurson, K.R., &Welk, GJ. (2015) Comparison between Child and Parent Reporting of Children’s Obesogenic Behaviors. Presented at Midwest American College of Sports Medicine 43rd Annual Meeting, Ft. Wayne, IN. Presentation, Presented, 11/2015.
- Bai, Y., Saint-Maurice, PF., & Welk, GJ. (2015) Longitudinal youth fitness trends and disparity in the state of Georgia. Presented at Georgia Shape Research Symposium, Athens, GA. Presentation, Presented, 11/2015.
- Motz, Z., Bai Y., Kim Y., Dinkel, D, & Lee J.M. (2015). Validity of Wearable Activity Monitors for Estimation of Resting Energy Expenditure in Adults. Presented at the American College of Sports Medicine 62nd Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA. Presentation, Presented, 05/2015.
- Nam, Y., Bai Y., Lee J.A., Kim Y., Lee J.M., Meier N.F., & Welk G.J. (2015). Validity of consumer-based physical activity monitors in semi free-living environment. Presented at the American College of Sports Medicine 62nd Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA. Presentation, Presented, 05/2015.
- Allums-Featherston, K.A., Norman C., Saint-Maurice PF, Bai Y., Welk GJ. (2015). General Physical Education, Students with Disabilities and Fitness Assessment. Presented at the American College of Sports Medicine 62nd Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA. Presentation, Presented, 05/2015.
- Bai, Y., Saint-Maurice P.F., Welk G.J., Norman, C., & Allums-Featherston, KA. (2015). Physical Activity Promotion Program Effectiveness on Changing Youth Aerobic Capacity and BMI Longitudinal Trajectories. Presented at the American College of Sports Medicine 62nd Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA. Presentation, Presented, 05/2015.
- Welk, G.J., Zhu, W., Saint-Maurice, P., & Bai, Y. (2015) Surveillance of Health-related Fitness with FITNESSGRAM: Challenges and Solutions. Symposium presented at 2015 Shape America national Convention & Expo, Seattle, WA. Presentation, Presented, 04/2015.
- Allums-Featherston, K.A., Norman, C., Anderson, K., Bai, Y., & Saint-Maurice, P. (2015) NFL PLAY60 FITNESSGRAM-Closing the Gap Between Good and Great Teachers. Presented at 2015 Shape America national Convention & Expo, Seattle, WA. Presentation, Presented, 04/2015.
- Welk, G.J. & Bai, Y. (2015) Effective use of FITNESSGRAM: Lessons Learned from the NFL PLAY60 FITNESSGRAM Partnership Project. Presented at 2015 Shape America Central District Conference, Moorhead, MN. Presentation, Presented, 02/2015.
- Bai, Y. (2014) Overview of the Iowa FITNESSGRAM Initiative and Demonstration of Measurement Tools. Presented at 2014 IAHPERD State Convention, Ames, IA. Presentation, Presented, 11/2014.
- Bai, Y., Saint-Maurice, P., Kim, Y., Osthus, D., Mahar, M.T., & Welk, G.J. (2014) The impact of BMI on aerobic fitness achievement with both the One-mile run and PACER test. Presented at the American College of sports Medicine 61th Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL. Presentation, Presented, 05/2014.
- Chen, S., Bai, Y., P., Welk, G.J., Vazou, S., & Schaben, J. (2014) Measurement and Invariance Characteristics of Youth Physical Activity Correlates. Presented at the American College of sports Medicine 61th Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL. Presentation, Presented, 05/2014.
- Welk, G.J., Saint-Maurice, P., Bai, Y., Featherston, K.A., & Anderson, K. (2014) The Impact of NFL PLAY 60 Programs on Health-Related Fitness Outcomes. Presented at the American College of sports Medicine 61th Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL. Presentation, Presented, 05/2014.
- Welk, G.J., Saint-Maurice, P., Bai, Y., Featherston, K.A., Anderson, K., & Stefko, J. (2014) Overview and Outcomes from the NFL PLAY60 FITNESSGRAM Partnership Project. Symposium presented at 2014 AAHPERD national Convention & Expo, ST.Louis, MO. Presentation, Presented, 04/2014.
- Bai, Y., & Welk, G.J. (2013). Validity of the Online Youth Activity Profile for Youth Activity Assessment. Presented at the American College of sports Medicine 60th Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN. Presentation, Presented, 05/2013.
- Kim, Y.W., Crouter, S.E., Lee, J.M., Bai, Y., Gaesser, G.A., & Welk, G.J. (2013). Comparisons of prediction equations for estimating energy expenditure in youth. Presented at the American College of sports Medicine 60th Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN. Presentation, Presented, 05/2013.
- Lee, J.M., Kim, Y.W., Bai, Y., Gaesser, G.A., & Welk, G.J. (2012). Validation of New (Version 8.0) SenseWear mini Armband Algorithms in Children. Presented at the American College of sports Medicine 59th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA. Presentation, Presented, 05/2012.
- Kim, Y.W., Lee, J.M., Bai, Y., Gaesser, G.A., & Welk, G.J. (2012). Comparison between Sensewear Mini Armband and Actigraph accelerometers in classifying physical activity intensities in youth. Presented at the American College of sports Medicine 59th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA. Presentation, Presented, 05/2012.
Research Equipment and Testing Expertise
- ActiGraph Accelerometers.
- Consumer-based activity monitors.
- Mplus.
- Portable indirect calorimetry.
- R.
- SAS.
- SPSS.
Languages
- Chinese, fluent.
- English, fluent.
Publications
- Copeland, W., McGinnis, E., Bai, Y., Nardone, H., Devadanam, V., Rettew, J., & Hudziak, J. (2021). Impact of COVID on College Student Mental Health and Wellness. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Published, 01/2021.
- Strehli, I., Burns, R. D., Bai, Y., Ziegenfuse, D., Block, M., & Brusseau, T. (2020). Mind-Body Physical Activity Interventions and Stress-Related Physiological Markers in Educational Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Published, 12/2020.
- Copeland, W., Bai, Y., Adams, Z., Lerner, M., King, J., Szopinski, S., Devadanam, V., Rettew, J., & Hudziak, J. (2020). Daily Wellness Behaviors in College Students across a School Year. Journal of American College Health. Published, 11/2020.
- Burns, R. D., Bai, Y., & Brusseau, T. A. (2020). Physical activity and sports participation associates with cognitive functioning and academic progression: an analysis using the combined 2017-2018 National Survey of Children’s Health. Journal of Physical Activity & Health. Published, 11/2020.
- Burns, R. D., Bai, Y., Pfledderer, C. D., Brusseau, T. A. & Byun, W. (2020). Movement behaviors and perceived loneliness and sadness within Alaskan adolescents. International journal of environmental research and public health. Published, 09/2020.
- Vazou, S., Bai, Y., McLoughlin, G., & Welk, G.J. Self-Regulations for Educators Questionnaire (SREQ) for implementation programming. (2020) Translational Behavioral Medicine. Published, 09/2020.
- Burns, R. D., Bai, Y., Byun, W., Colotti, T., Pfledderer, C., Kwon, S., & Brusseau, T. A. (2020) Bidirectional relationships of physical activity and gross motor skills before and after summer break: application of a cross-lagged panel model. Journal of Sport and Health Science. Published, 07/2020.
- Burns, R. D., Colotti, T., Pfledderer, C., Fu, Y., Bai, Y., & Byun, W. (2020) Familial factors associating with youth physical activity using a national sample. Children. Published, 07/2020.
- Burns, R. D., Bai, Y., Fu, Y., & Brusseau, T. (2020). Associations of adolescent lifestyle behaviors with body mass index within a nationally representative sample of US adolescents: A quantile regression analysis. Public Health, 179, 51-58. Published, 01/2020.
- Meier, N., Bai, Y., Wang, C., & Lee, DC. (2020) Validation of a Multi-Electrode Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer with a Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometer for the Assessment of Body Composition in Older Adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. Published, 01/01/2020.
- Burns, R. D., Bai, Y., Fu, Y., Pfledderer, C. D., & Brusseau, T. A. (2019). Parent engagement and support, physical activity, and academic performance (PESPAAP): A proposed theoretical model. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16, 4698. doi:10.3390/ijerph16234698. Published, 12/2019.
- McLoughlin, G., Bai, Y., & Welk, G.J. (2019) Longitudinal Associations Between Aerobic Capacity and Academic Achievement in Youth. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.. Published, 09/2019.
- Welk, G.J., Bai, Y., Lee, J.M., Godino, J., Saint-Maurice, PF., & Carr, L. (2019) Standardizing analytic methods and reporting in activity monitor validation studies: Guidelines to advance research and use in mHealth applications. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.. Published, 08/2019.
- Bai, Y., Copeland, W., Adams, Z., Lerner, M., King, J., Szopinski, S., Devadanam, V., Rettew, J., & Hudziak, J. (2019) The University of Vermont Wellness Environment: Feasibility and Initial Results of a College Undergraduate Health-Promoting Program. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics. Published, 04/2019.
- Ellingson, L., Lansing, J.E., DeShaw, K., Peyer, K., Bai, Y., Perez, M., Phillips, A., & Welk, G.J. (2019) Evaluating motivational interviewing and habit formation to enhance the effect of activity trackers on healthy adults' activity levels. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. Published, 02/2019.
- Yi, X., You, F., Burns, R., Bai, Y., & Zhang, P. (2019) Body Mass Index and Physical Fitness among Chinese Adolescents from Shandong Province: A Cross-sectional Study. BMC Public Health. Published, 01/2019.
- Southard, K., Ellingson, L., Bai, Y., Lansing, J., Perez, M., & Welk, G.J. (2018) Methods for Activity Monitor Validation Studies: An Example With the Fitbit Charge. Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour. Published, 09/2018.
- Bai, Y., Hibbing, P., Mantis, C., & Welk, G.J. (2018) Comparative evaluation of heart rate-based monitors: Apple Watch vs Fitbit Charge HR. Journal of Sports Sciences. Published, 08/2018.
- Saint-Maurice, PF., Bai, Y., Vazou, S., & Welk, G.J. (2018) Youth physical activity patterns during School and Out-of-School time. Children. Published, 08/2018.
- Bai, Y., Allums-Featherston, KA., Saint-Maurice, PF., Welk, GJ., & Norman, C. (2018) Evaluation of Youth Enjoyment toward Physical Activity and Physical Education. Pediatric Exercise Science. . Published, 05/2018.
- Dixon, P., Saint-Maurice, PF., Kim, Y., Hibbing, P., Bai, Y., & Welk, G.J. (2018) A primer on the use of equivalence testing for evaluating measurement agreement. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.. Published, 04/2018.
- Bus, K., Peyer, K., Bai, Y., Ellingson, L., & Welk, G.J. (2017) Comparison of In-Person and Online Motivational Interviewing–Based Health Coaching. Health Promotion Practice.. Published, 12/2017.
- Bai, Y., Saint-Maurice, PF., & Welk, G.J. (2017) Fitness Trends and Disparities Among School-Aged Children in Georgia, 2011-2014. Public Health Report.. Published, 12/2017.
- Saint-Maurice, PF., Bai, Y., & Welk, G.J. (2017) The Healthy Fitness Zone continuum as a measure of change in youth BMI: an example using 2012-2014 data from Georgia. Public Health Report.. Published, 12/2017.
- Saint-Maurice, PF., Bai, Y., Welk, G.J., Allums-Featherston, KA., Norman, C., & Bandelli, NL. (2017) Impact of NFL PLAY 60 programming on elementary school children's body mass index and aerobic capacity: The NFL PLAY 60 FitnessGram Partnership Project. Journal of School Health.. Published, 10/2017.
- Bai, Y., & Welk, G.J. (2017) School and County Correlates Associated with Youth Body Mass Index. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.. Published, 04/2017.
- Bai, Y., Saint-Maurice, PF., Welk, GJ., Russell, DW., Allums-Featherston, KA., & Norman, C. (2017) The longitudinal Impact of NFL PLAY 60 Programming on Youth Aerobic Capacity and BMI. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.. Published, 03/2017.
- Saint-Maurice, PF., Welk, GJ., Anderson, K. & Bai, Y. (2016) Agreement between estimates of VO2 predicted from PACER and One-Mile Run time equated laps. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. . Published, 12/2016.
- Bai, Y., Saint-Maurice, PF., Welk, G.J., Allums-Featherston, KA., & Norman, C. (2016) Explaining disparities in youth aerobic fitness and body mass index: relative impact of socioeconomic and minority status. Journal of School Health.. Published, 11/2016.
- Welk G.J, Bai Y., Saint-Maurice PF, Candeleria N, Allums-Featherston KA, & Anderson K. (2016) Design and Evaluation of the NFL PLAY 60 FITNESSGRAM Partnership Project. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. . Published, 01/2016.
- Bai, Y., Chen, S., Laurson, K., Kim, Y., Saint-Maurice, P., & Welk, G.J. (2016) The Associations of Youth Physical Activity and Screen Time with Fatness and Fitness: A Cross Sectional Study. Plos One.. Published, 01/2016.
- Bai, Y., Welk G.J., Nam, Y.H., Lee, J.A., Lee, J.M., Kim, Y., Meier, N.F., & Dixon, P.M. (2015). Comparison of consumer and research monitors under semistructured settings. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. . Published, 01/2016.
- Lee, J.M., Kim, Y., Bai Y., Gaesser, G.A., & Welk, G.J. (2016) Validation of the SenseWear mini armband in children during semi-Structure activity settings. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. Published, 01/2016.
- Bai, Y., Chen, S., Vazou, S., Welk, G.J., & Schaben, J. (2015). Mediated effects of perceived competence on youth physical activity and sedentary behavior. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. Published, 10/2015.
- Bai, Y., Saint-Maurice, PF., Welk, G.J., Allums-Featherston, KA., Norman, C., & Anderson, K. (2015) Prevalence of youth fitness in U.S.: Baseline results from the NFL PLAY 60 FITNESSGRAM project. Journal of Pediatrics.. Published, 09/2015.
- Chen, S., Bai, Y., Welk, G.J., Vazou, S., & Schaben, J. (2015) Measurement and Invariance Characteristics of Youth Physical Activity Correlates. 18(2):172-7. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.. Published, 03/2015.
- Saint-Maurice, PF., Welk, G.J., Bai, Y., Featherston, K.A. (2014). Comparison of screening methods for evaluating school-level fitness patterns in youth: Findings from the NFL PLAY 60 FITNESSGRAM Partnership Project. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine.. Published, 11/2014.
- Kim, Y., Lee, J.M., Laurson, K., Bai, Y., Gaesser, G.A., & Welk, G.J. (2014) Accuracy of neck circumference in classifying overweight and obese US children. ISRN Obesity. . Published, 01/2014.