Presents suggestions on what school nurses can do to help overweight children and teens, focusing on: the increasing problem of childhood obesity, debate over the healthfulness of school lunches, the link between increased obesity and type 2 diabetes in children and teens, and creating partnerships to promote healthy lifestyles among children. (SM)

Describes research reports dealing with child nutrition and efforts to improve it through state and federal sponsorship of school breakfast and lunch programs for poor children, the reduction of fat and sugar in school lunches, and banning the sale of "junk food" at school. (PKP)

In a class on pediatric cardiovascular dysfunction, 43 nursing students were taught via lecture/discussion; a treatment group of 42 also played a "Jeopardy"-style game. Posttest scores were higher than pretest scores for both groups. The treatment group answered 94% correctly and the comparison group 85%. (SK)

Correcting misperceptions regarding safety and emergency response is the first step toward reducing the incidence of injury to children. Some widely held misperceptions are identified and corrected. Topics include burns, poisoning, car safety, and falls. In addition to adult misperceptions, some common children's misperceptions are briefly listed.…

This article provides teachers with a brief background on the causes and incidence of childhood depression, identifies clues or symptoms, and suggests action that can be taken to get help for students. (IAH)

Describes a study designed to determine the confidence level of 370 child care staff members in their ability to recognize and prevent common health problems of children. Some staff members were confident in their ability to recognize some health problems and they indicated a need for health education. (RJC)

Explains the nutritional requirements of children and adolescents, and the physiological roles of the major nutrients. Details the nutrient needs of young athletes, including pre- and postgame meals and fluid replacement. Discusses eating disorders and obesity. Advocates a diet rich in complex carbohydrates. (BC)

Presents suggestions by the National Swimming Pool Safety Committee on how to keep children safe while swimming. Ideas include maintaining strict adult supervision, pool and spa barriers, and knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. (SM)

Stresses the need for increased federal, state, and local support for child immunizations resulting from the alarming increases in the incidence of rubella and other infectious diseases, and endorses the Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practices recently published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association." (MDM)

In 1989, California launched a statewide child health initiative including components on nutrition, health education, physical education, health services, counseling and psychological services, school safety, health promotion for staff, and parent and community involvement. A sidebar explains what principals can do to improve children's nutrition…

Compared the health of a group of 5-year olds who had experienced homelessness in their first five years with that of children who had never been homeless. Compared to control children, the case subjects showed a statistically greater prevalence of child protection issues and increased number of health needs. (Author/LPP)

Discusses partnerships between school-based health centers and school nurses, clarifying the role of school nurses and school-based health centers in the areas of collaboration, communication, and cooperation and examining obstacles to partnerships. Elements for successful collaboration are reviewed (clarifying roles, sharing leadership and…

Analyzed current trends in television advertising targeting children, comparing results to the historical perspective of the last quarter century. Researchers evaluated 16 hours of Saturday morning children's programming on four network channels for commercial content based on Food Guide Pyramid and USDA Child Nutrition criteria. Overall,…

Describes the safety of the U.S. food supply, discusses the causes of food-borne illness, and provides a food-safety checklist for child-care centers that covers safe food shopping, storage, preparation, serving, and clean-up. (KB)

Notes that findings presented by Mayall and Storey raise important concerns about school health services: (1) expanding scope of program and declining workforce to deliver services: (2) lack of marketing about school health; (3) loss of infrastructure for school health; (4) need to improve relationship between school health and other staff; and…