The variety of school lunch foods available has dramatically expanded as school food managers strive to increase sales and generate revenue. Though lunchtime offerings are often based on student preferences versus nutritional value, with a small investment of effort and commitment to student well-being, schools can create lunch programs that…

Uses a feminist analysis to critique health promotion, identifying gender, class, race, and age biases that influence older women's health and recommends changes in health promotion theory, research, practice, and education. (Author/JOW)

Fresh Start is a randomized, controlled trial that will test whether personally tailored, distance-medicine-based programs will increase exercise and fruit and vegetable consumption and decrease fat intake among individuals recently diagnosed with breast or prostate cancer. People from hospital cancer registries and oncologic practices will…

Examines potential issues related to diversity and the role of mentoring in Health Education and Promotion, focusing on: the history and definition of mentoring; the structure of mentoring programs; diversity issues related to students, Health Education and Promotion professionals, and their constituents in the context of mentoring; mentoring…

Uses Chaim Perelman's theories of argumentation to examine a recent Institute of Medicine report, "Promoting Health: Intervention Strategies from Social and Behavioral Research" (2000). Notes that it focuses on social, economic, behavioral, and political health as a means of assuring population health--and thereby expands the…

Superintendent of the McComb Separate School District in Mississippi describes actions taken by his school district to implement an effective student health program. Includes, for example, getting community buy-in, building on community leadership, supporting health and wellness for everyone in the school. Briefly describes the nine components of…

This report presents blood pressure norms for 18- to 24-year-old White college students, as well as data on the prevalence of high blood pressure for this group. Results were obtained from voluntary blood pressure screening of 1,660 men and 953 women. (IAH)

A recruitment effort aimed at utility company employees enrolled 64 percent (679) in a health promotion program. Results demonstrate that sociodemographic predictors of recruitment are almost a mirror image of employee participation in worksite health promotion programs. (JOW)

Presents implementation strategy for health counseling based on Purdue Stepped Approach Model which increases intensity of interventions presented in series. Discusses issues that led to model development, including cost-effectiveness, client response to treatment, and client commitment to and involvement in therapeutic process. Provides…

Presents overview of problems, opportunities, and guidelines related to promoting successful aging. Contends that counseling interventions prior to elder years could promote higher levels of health and wellness that would persist into old age, benefiting individual and society. Attempts to motivate counselors to become more active in helping…

Skin cancer in the United States is epidemic. About 90% of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. The age of patients developing melanoma is dropping dramatically. Parents must protect their children from the sun during all outdoor activities year round. The article presents recommendations for preventing skin cancer. (SM)

Results from a study of 75 pregnant women suggest that previous pregnancy experience does not substantially alter women's knowledge of appropriate pregnancy-related health practices. Implications for the design of curricula and delivery of prenatal education services are briefly outlined. (IAH)

A survey of 135 university extension staff (79% response) and a focus group of 31 identified components they wanted in a wellness program; their health and lifestyle behaviors; and extent of coworker and organizational support. Ninety-three percent were interested in a program that included fitness activities and mental health and lifestyle…

Physical activity is useful for preventing and easing depression symptoms. When prescribing exercise as an adjunct to medication and psychotherapy, physicians must consider each patient's individual circumstances. Hopelessness and fatigue can make physical exercise difficult. A feasible, flexible, and pleasurable program has the best chance for…

Presents information to help parents understand asthma. A major misconception is the idea that asthma only occurs periodically. In reality, it is a chronic condition that needs ongoing treatment, rather than treatment only when there are symptoms. This misconception can lead to the asthma controlling the patient instead of vice versa. A sidebar…