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A cluster-analytical approach towards physical activity and eating habits among 10-year-old children
Sabbe, D., De Bourdeaudhuij, I., Legiest, E., Maes, L. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0000
The purpose was to investigate whether clusters—based on physical activity (PA) and eating habits—can be found among children, and to explore subgroups' characteristics. A total of 1725 10-year olds completed a self-administered questionnaire. K-means cluster analysis was based on the weekly quantity of vigorous and moderate PA, the excess index (weekly consumption of sugar and/or fat) and the daily diversity index. Chi-squares tested gender differences in clusters and associations with socio-economic status (SES), overweight, controlling for gender. Following distribution was reliable: Sporty Healthy Eaters (n = 242; high vigorous PA, average moderate PA, low excess, higher diversity), Sporty Mixed Eaters (n = 288; high overall PA, very high excess, high diversity), Moderate Active Healthy Eaters (n = 221; average vigorous PA, highest moderate PA, lower excess, higher diversity), Unsporting Unhealthy Eaters (n = 276; below average on all indexes, diversity extremely low) and Sedentary Healthy Eaters (n = 318; lowest overall PA, higher excess, highest diversity). The Sporty Healthy Eaters and Sporty Mixed Eaters comprised more males, Sedentary Healthy Eaters more females. No associations with SES or overweight were found for the clusters. Co-occurrence of healthy and unhealthy behaviour exists. Only Sporty Healthy Eaters combine high levels of PA with low excess index and higher dietary diversity index. Effective ways of directing children to selective, individual relevant recommendations should be developed.
The impact of an appearance-based educational intervention on adolescent intention to use sunscreen
Olson, A. L., Gaffney, C. A., Starr, P., Dietrich, A. J. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0000
During adolescence, there is a steady decline in the use of sun protection and increased use of indoor tanning lights. Previous health education efforts have changed knowledge but not these behaviors. Middle school students (n = 113) received a single educational class that included personal viewing of skin changes visible under ultraviolet (UV) filtered light. Pre-/post-surveys assessed past, current and future intent to use sunscreen, as well as sun benefit and sun risk attitudes. Prior to the session, 42% were sunscreen non-users and 21% were consistent users. At post-test, one-third of students who had not previously intended to use sunscreen in the next month now intended to use it. Among students who had seen skin damage, 59% reported intention to use sunscreen in the next month versus 35% who did not see skin changes (P = 0.04). Viewing sun damage was an independent predictor of intent to use sunscreen in the next month (OR 2.9, P = 0.04), as was older age (OR 2.6, P = 0.04) and previous consistent sunscreen use (OR 6.1, P = 0.004). A brief educational intervention that emphasizes risk-to-appearance and personalizes the risks of UV exposure has the potential to influence early adolescent sun protection. Long-term studies of this approach are needed.
Young people and mental health: novel methods for systematic review of research on barriers and facilitators
Oliver, S., Harden, A., Rees, R., Shepherd, J., Brunton, G., Oakley, A. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0000
This paper describes how barriers to, and facilitators of, good mental health amongst young people (11–21 years) were elucidated from a systematic review of studies of young people's views and how these barriers and facilitators were compared with effectiveness studies to identify effective and appropriate interventions, promising interventions needing further evaluation and the need for further intervention. All studies were published before 2000. No clear pattern for effectiveness emerged in terms of mental health promotion focus, the type of intervention, intervention provider or young people. Well-evaluated interventions neither always target what we know young people themselves see as important barriers to their mental health (for instance, loss of friends and family, violence and bullying) nor always build on what they see as key facilitators, particularly their preferred coping strategies. In particular, while young people see material and physical resources as major influences on their mental health, few evaluated interventions targeted these. Rigorously evaluated interventions more often addressed priorities not raised by young people themselves and populations at low risk for mental health problems. These innovative review methods can inform intervention development and evaluation in a new way based on the strengths and needs identified by the target population.

Public Health News From Medical News Today

Crime Scene Investigation Training Lead By NC State
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0700
North Carolina State University researchers are launching a new project that will standardize forensic crime scene investigation training throughout the state, decrease the cost of providing the training to law enforcement personnel and forensic scientists, and hopefully contribute to the establishment of nationwide standards for death investigations. A team of NC State scientists, led by Dr. Ann H. Ross, has received a grant from the U.S.
Water Snails Offer New Propulsion Possibilities Using Ripple Effect
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:00:00 -0700
A UC San Diego engineer has revealed a new mode of propulsion based on how water snails create ripples of slime to crawl upside down beneath the surface.
Idaho Unveils Website To Help Idahoans Prepare For Pandemic Influenza
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Is your family prepared for school closures, empty food shelves and no available medical care? Could your business still function with 40% of workers staying home? Will police, fire and critical utility services be available if workers are ill or caring for ill family members? These are things which could easily occur during an influenza pandemic, and the driving force behind a new website that was launched by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare,

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