A cohort of 29 students in a small rural New Mexico school completed a self-report measure of behavioral intention toward alcohol and drug use in 7th and 11th grades. During the four years between measures, students received intensive education about resisting pro-drug-use pressures. Students reported significantly better behavioral intention…

Researchers have not yet agreed upon links between stress and illness. Levels of response mediated by the central nervous system are considered important in predicting and determining health consequences of stress. The paper uses the cardiovascular system to examine experimental evidence for the relationship between stress, health/illness, and…

Reviews recent research on college students' substance abuse, discussing the nature and extent of substance use and examining the effect of demographics and personality, year in college, grade point average, residence, motivation, and attitudes. Suggestions for coping with problems of campus alcohol use are offered. (Author/SM)

Study examined relationships between self-esteem, health values, specific health behaviors, and general practice of wellness behaviors in Navy personnel. Lifestyle surveys indicated health values predicted specific health behaviors and general practice of wellness behaviors. After controlling for health values, self-esteem predicted general…

This article presents a model for mapping relationships in health and family life education. The model emphasizes a behavioral approach to health promotion as an individual and collective endeavor, resulting from decision making by individuals and the wider community. Sample curriculum units are included. (Author/IAH)

Fourth- through sixth-grade Mexican-American students were surveyed to identify gender differences for use of cigarettes, beer, wine/liquor, and marijuana. Overall, more males than females reported using larger numbers of substances with more frequency, though the differences tended to attenuate in the sixth grade. (SM)

Compared determinants of physical activity in active and low-active African-American sixth graders, surveying students and making objective assessments of physical activity over seven days. Results indicated that physical activity self-efficacy, beliefs about physical activity outcomes, involvement in community-based physical activity, perception…

The overall effectiveness of patient education and counseling on preventive health behaviors was examined across published clinical trials, 1971-1994. The effectiveness of various approaches for modifying specific types of behaviors among patients without diagnosed disease was assessed. Multiple regression models indicated differences among…

Describes the effectiveness of the Gimme 5 intervention to increase high school students' fruit and vegetable consumption. Intervention included media campaigns, classroom workshops, school meal modification, and parental support. After two years, daily servings increased more in the intervention group. Control students, who received Gimme 5…

Comprehensive school health programs (CSHPs) provide services and programs addressing eight categories: health education, health services, school environment, food service, physical education, counseling, schoolwide health promotion, and family, school, and community partnerships. Parents and PTAs are crucial in supporting CSHPs. Two sidebars…

This lesson enhances secondary students' self-esteem and reinforces positive health behaviors. Activity 1 examines cultural standards of beauty, questions attitudes about body image, and presents nonappearance affirmations for enhancing self-esteem. Activity 2 helps students recall occasions when others' comments influenced their self-esteem,…

Reports a study that evaluated the effectiveness of a nutrition education program on the knowledge, attitudes, and nutrient intake of female college athletes (n=28) and female nonathletes (n=32). Survey data and food diaries indicated that, though the program improved subjects' knowledge and attitudes, there was no significant impact on dietary…

Suggests that exercise should be the first-line therapy for preventing and treating many common diseases; however, physicians need more training in how best to use exercise therapy. The paper explains the power of exercise and discusses how to motivate individuals to start safe, enjoyable, and life-saving exercise routines. (SM)

Data gathered during a 20-year longitudinal study of New Zealand women were used to describe the extent and timing of pregnancies within the cohort up to age 20; and to examine the extent to which the risk of early pregnancy was related to a range of social background, family, individual, and peer relationship factors measured over the course of…

Surveyed Canadian facilities of education with training in elementary, secondary, and physical and health education to determine the extent to which their students received sexual health training. On average, 15.5 percent of the programs provided compulsory training in sexual health education, 26.2 percent had related optional courses, and 39.3…