The LINKAGES Project is intended to improve breastfeeding and related complementary feeding and maternal dietary practices. The project, in consultation with technical experts and program managers, identified a set of recommended feeding and dietary practices intended to break the cycle of poor health and nutrition that passes from generation to…

This review of the developmental readiness of normal, full-term infants to progress from exclusive breastfeeding to the introduction of complementary foods is the result of the international debate regarding the best age to introduce complementary foods into the diet of the breastfed human infant. After a list of definitions, four papers focus on:…

What can be done to support fitness and physical activity? Schools can guide students in developing life-long habits of participating in physical activities. According to the National Association for Sports and Physical Education, the concepts of physical fitness activities and physical education are used synonymously, however, they are not the…

Examined relationship between repression-sensitization (R-S) and visits to prison infirmary for males during a one-year period. Main effect for R-S dimension was significant for total number of visits, number of medically justified visits, and number of medically unjustified visits. Sensitizers had significantly more visits than repressors.…

Explored the usefulness and validity of the transtheoretical model, examining relationships between stages and processes of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance among Malay students attending English universities. Data were collected by a validated transtheoretical model questionnaire regarding students' exercise behavior. Results showed…

Does it matter which labels are used to define and discuss student drinking? A drink is a drink, right? According to the author, however, the words chosen when talking about drinking can impact the ability to address this pervasive and persistent problem. (Contains 11 references.) (BF)

Investigates the prevalence, nature and correlates of early heterosexual intercourse, and the extent and correlates of condom use of a sample of 14-year-olds in Scotland. The most important correlate of sexual experience was low level of parental monitoring; the key predictor for condom use was whether or not the respondent talked to their partner…

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)

Review of research on the correlation between education and health indicates that the relationship is influenced by when in the life course education is experienced, the type of health condition, and the national context. The findings have implications for understanding the influence of health behaviors on health outcomes and the mediating role of…

An online cross-cultural health course for nurses sought to provide access to cultural experiences by culturally congruent use of a minority visiting scholar and required participation in cultural enrichment activities. Course and faculty evaluations were designed to be appropriate for the asynchronous environment. (Contains 25 references.) (SK)

An incentive scheme to reward positive health behaviors (adherence to antituberculosis drug regimens) was tested with 88 active and 117 preventive patients randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Preventive patients who received incentives were significantly more likely to continue care and had higher adherence levels. Actives showed…

Distinguishes between medical interaction and health communication, maintaining that the latter is found in four major determinants of American health: individual behavior, social relationships, physical environment, and economic status. Argues that the chief malady of low-income people is powerlessness, and asserts that they must be empowered to…

This study examined whether human sexuality and general health courses were negatively affecting college students'"moral fiber," hypothesizing that there would be no differences in sexual attitudes and behaviors before and after taking the courses. Questionnaires indicated the only change was that students had more positive safer sex behaviors…

Results of a survey of 150 retirees showed that participating/not participating in activities and active versus less active engagement in health and family issues discriminated among those retiring for work, personal, and health reasons. Activities and planning events were important correlates of retirees' satisfaction. (SK)

The transtheoretical model of health behavior change describes relationships among several concepts: stages of change, processes, decisional balance, confidence, and temptation. It can be applied to sexual behavior to identify ways of reducing the risk of HIV infection. (SK)