Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine

Bess H. Marcus, PhD

Bess Marcus, PhD
   Director, 
   Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine

   Director,     
   Physical Activity Research Center 
   Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine

   Professor,
   Dept. of Psychiatry & Human Behavior
   Brown Medical School



Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine
Coro Building, Suite 500
One Hoppin Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Phone: (401) 793-8003 or (401) 793-8176
Email: Bmarcus@lifespan.org
Fax: (401) 793-8056

Bess H. Marcus, PhD is Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at  Brown Medical School and Director of the Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine at The Miriam Hospital.  Marcus is a clinical health psychologist and her primary research interests are in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and the promotion of women's health.  She has spent the last 20 years conducting research primarily on physical activity behavior and has published over 150 papers and book chapters on this topic as well as three books.  She has developed a series of assessment instruments to measure psychosocial mediators of physical activity behavior and has also developed low-cost interventions to promote physical activity behavior in community, workplace, and primary care settings.   

Marcus has participated in numerous national and international committees and review groups including the American Heart Association, American College of Sports Medicine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institutes of Health.  She has served on panels that have created new recommendations regarding the quantity and intensity of physical activity necessary for health benefits.  She was also a contributing author to the Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health.  Marcus serves or has served on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, Journal of Behavioral Medicine, Psychology, Sport and Exercise, Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, and Research and Sport.  She serves on the national advisory panel for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention course on Physical Activity and Public Health. 

Marcus has also conducted a series of studies on the efficacy of physical activity to enhance smoking cessation and minimize weight gain in women smokers (e.g., CA50087; CA77249).  She is currently Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on 13 National Institutes of Health grants on physical activity behavior including trials of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in adults and older adults (e.g., HL64342; HL69866).

  • Invited Presentation: Physical activity interventions.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and University of South Carolina Prevention Center Eight Day Course on Physical Activity and Public Health, Hilton Head, South Carolina. September, 2005.

  • Person of the Year, Active Living by Design, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2004.

  • Faculty Mentoring Award, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, 2004.

  • Invited Presentation: Exercise and Smoking Cessation in Women. International symposium promoting physical activity as an aid for smoking cessation, Swiss Federal Office for Public Health and the University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. October, 2004.

  • Invited Presentation: Physical activity promotion via mediated communication channels.  Annual meeting of the New England Psychological Association.  October, 2004.

  • Invited Presentation: Physical activity interventions: Non-face-to-face approaches. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and University of South Carolina Prevention Center Eight Day Course on Physical Activity and Public Health, Park City, Utah. September, 2004.

  • Invited Presentation: Using innovative delivery channels to reach the inactive.  American College of Sports Medicine's 8th Health & Fitness Summit and Exposition, Indianapolis, IN. April, 2004.

  • Invited Presentation: Physical activity interventions: Targeting delivery channels.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and University of South Carolina Prevention Center Eight Day Course on Physical Activity and Public Health, Hilton Head, South Carolina. September, 2003.

  • Invited Presentation: Physical activity interventions: Targeting delivery channels. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and University of South Carolina Prevention Center Eight Day Course on Physical Activity and Public Health, Park City, Utah. September, 2002.

  • Invited Presentation: Non face-to-face approaches to physical activity promotion. Seventh International Congress of Behavioral Medicine, Helsinki, Finland. August, 2002.

  • Invited Presentation: Interventions to increase physical activity levels. National Institutes of Health Cardiovascular Health Conference, Washington, DC. April, 2002.

  • Invited Presentation: Physical activity interventions using mass media, print media, and information technology. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and University of South Carolina Prevention Center Eight Day Course on Physical Activity and Public Health, Hilton Head Island, SC. September, 2001.

  • Invited Presentation: Applications of psychological theory to physical activity interventions using print media and information technology. Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Cologne, Germany. July, 2001.

  • Initial Review Group (IRG), Social Sciences, Nursing, Epidemiology, and Methods, (SNEM-1), NIH

Development of Exercise Intervention for Alcoholics
Bess Marcus, Ph.D. (PI, subcontract) 

The long-term objectives of this research program are to improve treatment options for alcoholics by developing and establishing the efficacy of a supervised aerobic exercise intervention and to advance knowledge of the relationship between physical activity and alcohol use outcomes.

Exercise Advice via Human or Computer - Testing Two Theories
Bess Marcus, Ph.D. (PI, subcontract) 

Counselor-directed physical activity programs may enhance extrinsic motivation (social influence theory) and promote physical activity. However, social influence may undermine long-term intrinsic motivation (cognitive evaluation theory), contributing to physical activity relapse once counselor-initiated contact ends. In contrast, programs that diminish the socially evaluative and controlling aspects of the counseling interchange may promote intrinsic motivation and foster long-term maintenance of physical activity, even when counselor-initiated contact ceases. This study compares these alternative theoretical perspectives by conducting a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Exercise Instruction via Phone or Print
Bess Marcus, Ph.D. (PI) 

The objective of this study is to determine the differential effect of intervention delivery channel on physical activity adoption and maintenance in previously sedentary adults. This randomized controlled clinical trial compares three groups: 1) telephone-based motivationally tailored individualized feedback; 2) print-based, motivationally tailored individualized feedback; and 3) minimal contact waiting list control condition. This study will contribute important information regarding the relative efficacy and cost-effectiveness of two interventions, each of which can be utilized for widespread public health dissemination.

Exercise Intervention for Drug Treatment
Bess Marcus, Ph.D. (PI, subcontract) 

Intervention to increase exercise in drug dependent patients represents a potentially useful yet unexplored strategy for preventing relapse. There are currently no established exercise interventions for use with this population. The long-term objectives of this research program are to improve treatment options for drug dependent patients by developing and establishing the efficacy of a supervised aerobic exercise intervention and to advance knowledge of the relationship between physical activity and substance use outcomes.

Interactive Multi-risk-factor Intervention for HTN Blacks
Bess Marcus, Ph.D. (PI, subcontract) 

The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of Telephone-Lined Care for Hypertension Regimen Adherence in an older (50 years old or more) African-American population (TLC-HTN-AA). TLC-HTN-AA is a computer-based telecommunication system that will monitor, educate and counsel African-American adults with hypertension on adherence to medication, diet, and exercise regimens through regular automated telephone conversations with the patient as well as provide timely and useful reports to them and their primary health care providers. The specific goals of this project are to: 1) tailor the TLC-HTN-AA to the needs, preferences, and perspectives of an urban hypertensive African-American population; 2) evaluate in a randomized clinical trial, in clinical settings, the efficacy of TLC-HTN-AA.

 Internet Technologies to Increase Exercise Behavior
Bess Marcus, Ph.D. (PI)

The goal of this project is to compare a tailored physical activity website with tailored print communication and existing physical activity websites to promote exercise behavior among adults.

Napolitano, M.A., Lerch, H., Papandonatos, G. & Marcus, B.H. (in press).  Worksite and communications-based promotion of a local walking path.   Journal of Community Health.

Gallagher, K. I., Jakicic, J. M., Napolitano, M. A., Marcus, B. H. (2006). Psychosocial Factors Related to Physical Activity and Weight Loss in Overweight Women. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 38(5), 971-80.

Emmons, K. M., McBride, C. M., Puleo, E., Pollak, K. I., Marcus, B. H., Napolitano, M., Clipp, E., Onken, J., Farraye, F. A., & Fletcher, R. (2005). Prevalence and predictors of multiple behavioral risk factors for colon cancer. Preventive Medicine, 40(5), 527-534.

Marcus, B. H., Lewis, B. A., Hogan, J., King, T. K., Albrecht, A. E., Bock, B., Parisi, A. F., Niaura, R., & Abrams, D. B. (2005). The efficacy of moderate-intensity exercise as an aid for smoking cessation in women:  A randomized controlled trial. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 7(6), 871-880. 

Pinto, B. M., Frierson, G. M., Rabin, C., Trunzo, J., & Marcus, B. H.  (2005). A home-based physical activity intervention for breast cancer patients: Effects on physical activity outcomes. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 23(15), 3577-3587.

Sciamanna, C. N., Novak, S. P., Marcus, B. H., & Goldstein, M. G. (2005). Patient attitudes toward using computers to encourage their doctors to counsel about health behaviors: Effects of using a computer in a doctor's office. International Journal of Medical Information, 74(5), 357-365.

Marshall, A. L., Bauman, A. E., Owen, N., Booth, M. L., Crawford, D., & Marcus, B.H. (2004). Reaching out to promote physical activity: A statewide randomized controlled trial of a stage-targeted intervention.  American Journal of Health Promotion, 18(4), 283-287.

Sciamanna, C. N., Goldstein, M. G., Marcus, B. H., Lawrence, K., & Pinto, B. M. (2004). Accuracy of recall of exercise counseling among primary care patients.  Preventive Medicine, 39(6), 1063-1067.

Sciamanna, C. N., Marcus, B. H., Goldstein, M.G., Ahern, D. K., Swartz, S., Bock, B., Graham, A. L., & Lawrence, K.  (2004).  Feasibility of incorporating computer-tailored health behavior communications in primary care settings.  Informatics in Primary Care, 12, 40-48.

Sciamanna, C. N., Novak, S. P., Houston, T. K., Gramling, R., & Marcus, B. H. (2004).  Visit satisfaction and the use of tailored health behavior communications in primary care.  American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 26(5), 426-430.

Jakicic, J. M., Marcus, B. H., Gallagher, K. I., Napolitano, M., & Lang, W. (2003).  Effect of exercise duration and intensity on weight loss in overweight, sedentary women:  A randomized trial.  Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(10), 1323-1330.

Marcus, B. H., Lewis, B. A., King, T. K., Albrecht, A. E., Hogan, J., Bock, B., Parisi, A. F., & Abrams, D. B. (2003).  Rationale, design, and baseline data for Commit to Quit II:  An evaluation of the efficacy of moderate-intensity physical activity as an aid to smoking cessation in women.  Preventive Medicine, 36, 479-492.

Marshall, A. L., Bauman, A. E., Owen, N., Booth, M. L., Crawford, D. & Marcus, B. H. (2003). Population-based randomized trial of a stage-based and mailed print media physical activity intervention.  Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 25(3), 194-202.

Napolitano, M. A., Fotheringham, M., Tate, D., Sciamanna, C., Leslie, E., Owen, N., Bauman, A., & Marcus, B. H.  (2003).  Evaluation of an internet-based physical activity intervention: A preliminary investigation.  Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 25(2), 92-99.

Marshall, A. L., Leslie, E. R., Bauman, A. E., Marcus, B. H., & Owen, N. (2003).  Print versus website physical activity programs:  A randomized trial.  American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 25(2), 88-94.

Thompson, P. D., Buchner, D., Pina, I. L., Balady, G. J., Williams, M. A., Marcus, B. H., Berra, K., Blair, S. N., Costa, F., Franklin, B., Fletcher, G. F., Gordon, N. F., Pate, R. R., Rodriguez, B. L., Yancey, A. K., & Wenger, N. K. (2003).  AHA Scientific Statement: Exercise and Physical Activity in the Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease. Circulation, 107, 3109-3116.

Borrelli, B., Hogan, J., Bock, B. C., Pinto, B. M., Roberts, M., & Marcus, B. H.  (2002).  Predictors of quitting and dropout among women in a clinic-based smoking cessation program.  Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 16, 22-27.

King, A. C., Friedman, R., Marcus, B. H., Castro, C., Forsyth, L., Napolitano, M. A., & Pinto, B. M.  (2002).  Harnessing motivational forces in the promotion of physical activity: The Community Health Advice by Telephone (CHAT) Project.  Health Education Research, 17, 627-636.

Lewis, B. A., Marcus, B. H., Pate, R. R., & Dunn, A. L.  (2002).  Psychosocial mediators of physical activity behavior among adults and children.  American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 23, 26-35.

Marcus, B. H., Bock, B. C., Pinto, B. M., Napolitano, M. A., & Clark, M. M.  (2002).  Exercise initiation, adoption and maintenance in adults: Theoretical models and empirical support. In J. L. Van Raalte & B. W. Brewer (Eds.), A practitioner's guide to sport and exercise psychology (2nd ed., pp. 185-208). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Marcus, B. H., & Forsyth, L. H.  (2002).  Motivating people to be physically active.  Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Napolitano, M. A., & Marcus, B. H.  (2002).  Targeting and tailoring physical activity information using print and information technologies.  Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 30, 122-128.

Owen, N., Fotheringham, M. J., & Marcus, B. H.  (2002).  Communication technology and health behavior change.  In K. Glanz, B. K. Rimer, & F. M. Lewis (Eds.), Health behavior and health education (3rd ed., pp. 510-529)  San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Pinto, B. M., Friedman, R., Marcus, B. H., Kelley, H., Tennstedt, S., & Gillman, M.  (2002).  Effects of a computer-based counseling system on physical activity.  American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 23, 113-120.

Reger, B., Cooper, L., Booth-Butterfield, S., Smith, H., Bauman, A., Wootan, M., Middlestadt, S., Marcus, B. H., & Greer, F.  (2002).  Wheeling Walks:  A community campaign using paid media to encourage walking among sedentary older adults.  Preventive Medicine, 35, 285-292.

Sciamanna, C. N., Lewis, B. A., Tate, D. F., Napolitano, M. A., Fotheringham, M., & Marcus, B. H.  (2002).  User attitudes toward a physical activity promotion website.  Preventive Medicine, 35(6), 612-5.

Blair, S. N., Dunn, A. L., Marcus, B. H., Carpenter, R. A., & Jaret, P.  (2001).  Active living every day.  Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Dunn, A. L., & Marcus, B. H.  (2001).  Human behavior and psychology.  In J. L. Roitman, K. W. Bibi, & W. R. Thompson (Eds.), ACSM's health and fitness certification review (pp. 71-83).  Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams, & Wilkins.

Gillman, M., Pinto, B. M., Lin, T., Tennstedt, S., Glanz, K., Marcus, B. H., & Friedman, R. H.  (2001).  Relationships of physical activity and dietary behaviors in adults.  Preventive Medicine, 32, 295-301.

Linnan, L. A., & Marcus, B. H.  (2001).  Worksite-based physical activity programs and older adults: Current status and priorities for the future.  Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 9, S59-S70.

Pinto, B. M., Lynn, H., Marcus, B. H., DePue, J. D., & Goldstein, M. G.  (2001).  Physician-based activity counseling: Intervention effects on mediators of motivational readiness for physical activity.  Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 23, 2-10.

Read, J. P., Brown, R. A., Marcus, B. H., Kahler, C. W., Ramsey, S., Dubreuil, M. E., Jakicic, J. M., & Francione, C.  (2001).  Exercise attitudes and behaviors among persons in treatment for alcohol use disorders.  Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 21, 199-206.

 

 

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