Reviews the literature on school-based social and emotional skill development and examines the relevance of this area to the work of the school psychologist. Suggestions are made for ways in which school psychologists can improve the social and emotional climates of their schools in areas such as prevention and health promotion, professional…

Tested the hypothesis that physical training (PT), especially high-intensity PT, would favorably affect components of the insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) in obese adolescents. Data on teens randomized into lifestyle education (LSE) alone, LSE plus moderate -intensity PT, and LSE plus high-intensity PT indicated that PT, especially high-intensity…

Emphasizing cardiovascular fitness may be a barrier to mobilizing the sedentary individual. Instead, encouraging low-level physical activity may be an effective first step. Beliefs held toward cardiovascular fitness are presented, and ways in which these beliefs may present barriers to adoption of any level of physical activity are discussed. (IAH)

High school physical education curricula should concentrate less on sport skill development and competition, and more on health-related fitness and aerobic activity. Results are reported from a study of the type and amount of aerobic exercise provided in 29 high school physical education programs in a large metropolitan area. (IAH)

Offering hypertension screening within the Black community in a convenient, nonthreatening environment can aid in reduction of morbidity and mortality attributable to high blood pressure in Black men. This article describes a successful pilot program which used volunteer barbers to perform on-site hypertension screening for their customers. (IAH)

Reports on a collaborative effort between a student services division and a classroom instructor aimed at increasing student involvement in marketing a wellness program for college students. Claims program was successful in improving attendance at the wellness program and changing attitudes towards this type of programing. (Author/ABL)

Human service organizations provide educational opportunities to clients as well as their staffs. Examples of their role in building learning communities include (1) integrating the developmentally disabled; (2) preventing sickness and ensuring wellness; (3) building school-based learning; (4) reaching out to immigrants; and (5) rehabilitating…

The objectives of a study on the preventive health activity concerning smoking at dental schools were to determine the smoking policies and what actions were taken to reduce health hazards of smoke to personnel in institutions. The majority of schools surveyed (N=46) restricted smoking to certain areas in their facility. (MLW)

Increasing the aerobic nature of tennis drills in the physical education class may be necessary if tennis is to remain a part of the public school curriculum. This article gives two examples of drills that can be modified by teachers to increase activity level. (IAH)

In-depth qualitative discussion using the nominal group technique examined freshmen's (N=122) perceived susceptibility to AIDS and barriers to prevention. Suggestions, based on students' comments, are made for improving AIDS-prevention programs on campus. (Author/IAH)

A longitudinal study of the effectiveness of the Know Your Body program in Washington, D.C., involved measuring 1,041 Black students in grades four-six for heart disease risk factors. The intervention resulted in significant changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, fitness, and serum thiocyanate. Intervention students who had the best teachers…

Participants were 206 low-to-middle-income Mexican-American and non-Hispanic families (623 individuals) recruited through their children's elementary school. Half the families undertook yearlong programs to decrease high salt and fat food intake and increase exercise. Two years later, experimental groups gained more knowledge of dietary and…

This article identifies several directions in which health education currently channels its energies, and suggests more appropriate alternatives. Topics include: individual behavior versus a broader environmental focus, questionable links between risk factors and health promotion efforts, and the relationship of education and morality to health…

This article addresses select health issues of Native Americans, emphasizing coronary heart disease (CHD). The link between lifestyle and CHD is discussed. CHD risk data from a study of 67 Community Health Representatives is presented, and the role these paraprofessionals can play in health education among Native Americans is discussed. (IAH)

This article discusses the relevance of fitness programing for an aging population and provides parameters for a geriatric fitness program. Emphasized are physical activity as a preventive measure against age-related illness and management of a geriatric fitness program. (IAH)