Journal of School Health

Ramstetter, Catherine L.; Murray, Robert; Garner, Andrew S.

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.00537.xpmid: 21039550

BACKGROUND: Recess is at the heart of a vigorous debate over the role of schools in promoting optimal child development and well‐being. Reallocating time to accentuate academic concerns is a growing trend and has put recess at risk. Conversely, pressure to increase activity in school has come from efforts to combat childhood obesity. The purpose of this review was to examine the value of recess as an integral component of the school day.

Agron, Peggy; Berends, Victoria; Ellis, Karen; Gonzalez, Martin

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.00538.xpmid: 21039551

BACKGROUND: School wellness policies are a key component to the prevention of adolescent obesity. This national research study sought to understand the wellness environment in school districts across the country and to identify challenges districts face and needs they have in order to effectively implement, monitor, and evaluate school wellness policies. The study determined (1) perceptions, barriers, and opportunities regarding the development, implementation, and monitoring/evaluation of school wellness policies among school board members, state school boards association leaders, state public health nutrition directors, and school wellness advocates; (2) the readiness and capacity of survey groups to address nutrition and physical activity policies; (3) the extent to which survey groups collaborate; and (4) the acceptability of wellness tools.

Hovland, Jana A.; McLeod, Sara M.; Duffrin, Melani W.; Johanson, George; Berryman, Darlene E.

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.00539.xpmid: 21039552

BACKGROUND: Children in Appalachia are experiencing high levels of obesity, in large measure because of inferior diets. This study screened the dietary intake of third graders residing in 3 rural Appalachian counties in Ohio and determined whether the Food, Math, and Science Teaching Enhancement Resource Initiative (FoodMASTER) curriculum improved their dietary intake.

Takakura, Minoru; Wake, Norie; Kobayashi, Minoru

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.00540.xpmid: 21039553

BACKGROUND: The importance of school contextual effects on health and well‐being among young people is currently recognized. This study examines the contextual effects of school satisfaction as well as the effects of individual‐level school satisfaction on health‐risk behaviors in Japanese high school students.

Dhavan, Poonam; Stigler, Melissa H.; Perry, Cheryl L.; Arora, Monika; Reddy, K. Srinath

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.00541.xpmid: 21039554

BACKGROUND: Not much is known about the academic correlates of tobacco use among students in developing countries. This study investigated associations between multiple forms of tobacco use, psychosocial risk factors, and academic failure among 10‐ to 16‐year‐old government school students in Delhi and Chennai, India.

Chao, Li‐Wei; Gow, Jeff; Akintola, Goke; Pauly, Mark

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.00542.xpmid: 21039555

BACKGROUND: One hundred and twenty educators from KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa, underwent HIV/AIDS training. The educators were surveyed about their attitudes toward people with HIV.

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.00543.xpmid: N/A