Reports the development of two nutrition behavior scales (for grades 2-3 and grades 4-6) given to 3,107 students from 129 schools nationwide. Results indicated significant nutrition knowledge gaps among students and identified several groups with excess knowledge gaps. The instrument appeared appropriate for most of the U.S. population. (SM)

Investigated AOD (alcohol and other drug) use among social workers, examined its potential negative professional consequences and explored the denial that may facilitate AOD abuse. Results are reported from an anonymous survey of 751 NASW members in North Carolina. Research and practice implications for social workers, supervisors, and the…

Investigated whether 9th graders' participation in school team sports, exclusively or in combination with other extracurricular activities, would relate to higher levels of psychological functioning and healthy behavior than participation in other extracurricular activities alone or nonparticipation. Participants in any type of extracurricular…

Investigated the association between 13 health risk and protective factors and reporting two or more lifetime sexual intercourse partners and non-condom use for last coitus among rural high school students. Data from the 1999 Youth Risk Behavior Survey highlighted important relationships between prior sexual behavior, sexual and physical abuse,…

Investigates the relationship of depression to health risk behaviors and health perceptions in Korean college students. The level of students' depression predicted alcohol consumption, symptom pattern, and physical health. Students who were more depressed reported more symptoms and perceived their health as worse than those who were less…

Synthesizes 10 school- and family-based studies of cardiovascular health behaviors in youth, including sociodemographic characteristics, study designs, interventions, measures, and results. Use of results as components of school health programs is addressed. (SK)

Presents Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines that summarize school-based strategies most likely to be effective in preventing tobacco use among youth. The guidelines recommend that all schools develop and enforce a policy, provide instruction on tobacco use consequences, provide prevention education, train teachers, involve families,…

Studied how multiple methods of follow-up can enhance the rate of response to mail questionnaires. The initial sample of 1,505 adults was contacted by mail for a health behavior survey. Follow-ups by mail and telephone resulted in an 89% response rate and demonstrated the efficacy of the follow-up methods. (SLD)

Reviews the health consequences of smoking among African Americans. Examines factors predicting smoking onset in general and discusses studies assessing gender and ethnicity differences. Describes the Memphis Health Project, a five-year study identifying factors associated with smoking onset in African American versus Euro-American girls. (SM)

Entering college students were evaluated for performance on maximal oxygen consumption, body composition, muscle endurance, muscle strength, and joint flexibility tests to determine the relationship of physical activity patterns to fitness levels. Results supported previous research indicating reduced fitness levels in young adults. (SM)

Perceptions adolescents formed of peers regarding modeled health behaviors were examined. Students viewed slides of adolescents with or without health behavior artifacts (apple, cigarette, beer can, or tennis racket), rating the models on 16 characteristics. Models were rated less mature, friendly, and intelligent when holding a beer can or…

Study investigated whether high-fat food consumption and low physical activity were risk factors for obesity in third graders. Tests revealed a greater prevalence of childhood obesity in 1985 than in 1976-80. Neither intake nor activity level were independent risk factors, but there may be synergistic effects with both present. (SM)

Ideal measurement of food use in school-aged children possesses validity, reliability, interpretability, and feasibility. The article discusses dietary records and recalls and measures of patterns in food use. Issues to consider when constructing children's food frequency are food list, time intervals, response set, context of questioning, and…

The Take Heart Project in 36 worksites sought changes in tobacco use, cholesterol, and fat intake. Employee steering committees selected brief, low-intensity health education and environmental change activities. The project is an effective way to tailor interventions to worksites, taking into account site and employee characteristics and previous…

Reports on a study of 1,915 male and female adolescents that assessed weight-related practices and concerns of smokers and nonsmokers. Smokers were less satisfied with their weight and more likely to perceive themselves as overweight than nonsmoking peers (even though the groups did not differ in body mass index). (SM)