Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jingfen Zhu, Yinliang Tan, Weiyi Lu, Yaping He, Zhiping Yu
Summary: Poor nutrition and lack of physical activity are risk factors for obesity and chronic diseases among Chinese adolescents, with sedentary behavior identified as a significant risk factor for overweight/obesity. Females tend to engage in higher risk physical activities, while males lean towards higher risk dietary activities. Unhealthy behaviors in diet, physical activity, and sedentary lifestyles all contribute to higher body weight and BMI among adolescents, highlighting the importance of addressing obesity and promoting healthier lifestyles in this population.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marlene B. Schwartz, Sandra M. Chafouleas, Jessica B. Koslouski
Summary: Schools have significant impacts on children's development in various aspects. District wellness policies play a crucial role in promoting health-related practices within and outside school buildings. However, many current policies are limited, isolated, and reactive, rather than proactive. This paper discusses the strengthening of food, nutrition, and physical activity policies in the United States, the historical approaches to policies on children's social, emotional, and behavioral health, and proposes the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model for enhancing the coordination and integration of wellness policies. The use of tools such as WellSAT WSCC and WSCC Policy and Practice Blueprints can support the implementation of the WSCC model and facilitate the development of the whole child.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Hilary Joyner, Lindsay Weymouth, Erin Skalitzky, Sydney Hillert
Summary: The study examined the update of Wisconsin school wellness policies after the Final Rule, showing overall quality improvement in most areas. Successful districts commonly require empowered leadership and supportive environments to drive culture change around student wellness.
JOURNAL OF THE ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
(2021)
Article
Education & Educational Research
William E. Copeland, Yang Bai, Zoe Adams, Matthew Lerner, Jessica A. King, Jeff Rettew, Jim Hudziak
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of mood and wellness behaviors in college students throughout a school year. The results showed that the majority of college students engaged in at least one wellness behavior each day, with varying prevalence patterns for different behaviors over the course of the school year and week. Furthermore, each wellness behavior was associated with a positive mood, and the cumulative number of daily wellness behaviors strongly influenced mood state.
JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Camilla Piatkowski, Shelly Keidar, Nicole Carbert, Patti-Jean Naylor, Heather McKay, Rhona Hanning, Lucy Le Mare, Louise C. Masse
Summary: This study identified that external factors, parenting styles, and adolescents' willingness affect the motivation pathways of adolescents' healthy dietary behaviors. Health interventions should target the overall approaches that parents use to socialize their adolescents.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yang Bai, William E. Copeland, Ryan Burns, Hilary Nardone, Vinay Devadanam, Jeffrey Rettew, James Hudziak
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive surveillance of longitudinal physical activity patterns and their independent association with a variety of wellness and risk behaviors in college students.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Stephen Wai Hang Kwok, Cynthia S. T. Wu, Hiu Tung Tong, Chun Ni Ho, Ka Lee Leung, Yolanda C. P. Leung, Kam Chung Lui, Carson K. C. Wong
Summary: The study demonstrates that school-based hydroponic planting integrated with health promotion activities has a positive impact on improving green space use, competence and satisfaction, healthy lifestyle, mental health, and health-related quality of life among early adolescent students. This intervention also helps improve dietary habits and resistance to substance use.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Latileta Odrovakavula, Masoud Mohammadnezhad, Sabiha Khan
Summary: This study aimed to determine adolescent wellness and its predictors amongst adolescents in secondary schools in Fiji. The findings show differences in physical, psychological, social, and spiritual wellness dimensions, with Itaukei participants having higher overall wellness scores. The results provide guidance and recommendations for improving adolescent wellness in Fiji.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Abbas Ali Sangouni, Sara Beigrezaei, Shahab Akbarian, Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan, Emad Yuzbashian, Amin Salehi-Abargouei, Gordon A. Ferns, Sayyed Saeid Khayyatzadeh
Summary: This study found significant associations between specific eating behaviors and depression scores, such as main meal consumption, snack consumption, regular meal consumption, and food chewing. Frequency of intra-meal fluid intake and consumption of spicy foods were also associated with depression scores, but these associations disappeared after adjusting for confounding variables. Breakfast consumption, intake of fried foods, chewing ability, and tooth loss were not significantly associated with depression scores.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jose L. Penalvo, Diana Sagastume, Elly Mertens, Irina Uzhova, Jessica Smith, Jason H. Y. Wu, Eve Bishop, Jennifer Onopa, Peilin Shi, Renata Micha, Dariush Mozaffarian
Summary: The study found that workplace wellness programmes are associated with improvements in specific dietary, anthropometric, and cardiometabolic risk indicators. However, not all aspects showed significant benefits, and some nutritional intake and body indicators did not improve significantly.
LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Ingebjorg Sanne, Anne-Lise Bjorke-Monsen
Summary: This study investigated the dietary habits and food attitudes of medical students at the University of Bergen, Norway. The results showed that although 90% of the students were omnivores, the majority had a negative attitude towards meat and considered fish to be healthier. More women than men reported following a special diet and excluding meat from their diet. The study suggests that medical students' dietary behaviors and attitudes are influenced by societal beliefs and marketing.
BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Predrag Bozic, Visnja Djordjic, Lidija Markovic, Dragan Cvejic, Nebojsa Trajkovic, Sabolc Halasi, Sergej Ostojic
Summary: The study found that the majority of Serbian children have breakfast every day, but only a small percentage consume enough fruits and vegetables daily, and children who skip breakfast are more likely to be obese.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Economics
Brandyn F. Churchill
Summary: This study provides novel evidence on how imperfect information affects childhood obesity. The author finds that state-mandated school-based BMI assessments lead to an increase in teenagers perceiving themselves as overweight and trying to lose weight. The assessments improved awareness about BMI status among overweight teens, but also resulted in non-overweight teen girls incorrectly perceiving themselves as overweight. While exercise and calorie-limiting behaviors did not change significantly, the assessments were associated with a modest reduction in BMI.
JOURNAL OF POLICY ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Celia Monteagudo, Virginia Robles-Aguilera, Inmaculada Salcedo-Bellido, Yolanda Galvez-Ontiveros, Cristina Samaniego-Sanchez, Margarita Aguilera, Alberto Zafra-Gomez, Maria Alba Martinez Burgos, Ana Rivas
Summary: The study found that in Spanish adolescents, dietary exposure to parabens is primarily associated with gender, with boys mainly consuming parabens through eggs, canned tuna, bakery products, and pineapple, while girls mainly consume them through apples and pears, canned tuna, bakery products, and olives. In addition, overweight/obese girls were more likely to have higher dietary intake of parabens.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Eriko Iwatate, Folefac D. Atem, Eric C. Jones, Jennifer L. Hughes, Takeshi Yokoo, Sarah E. Messiah
Summary: This study examined the association between obesity and suicide behaviors among United States adolescents. The findings showed that obesity is independently associated with suicide attempts, ideation, and plans, even after controlling for psychosocial factors.
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kevin Lanza, Melody Alcazar, Deanna M. Hoelscher, Harold W. Kohl
Summary: The study found that children in three elementary school parks in Central Texas, United States tend to interact more with trees in high temperature conditions, positioning themselves under tree canopy to seek relief. These findings could assist public health researchers and practitioners in redesigning greenspaces to address climate change and health inequities.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jaimie N. Davis, Adriana Perez, Fiona M. Asigbee, Matthew J. Landry, Sarvenaz Vandyousefi, Reem Ghaddar, Amy Hoover, Matthew Jeans, Katie Nikah, Brian Fischer, Stephen J. Pont, Daphne Richards, Deanna M. Hoelscher, Alexandra E. Van den Berg
Summary: A one-year school-based gardening, nutrition, and cooking intervention called Texas Sprouts was implemented in 16 elementary schools, showing an increase in vegetable intake but no significant effects on fruit intake, sugar sweetened beverages, obesity measures, or blood pressure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Amier Haidar, Shreela Sharma, Casey P. Durand, Sarah E. Barlow, Meliha Salahuddin, Nancy F. Butte, Deanna M. Hoelscher
Summary: The study found that children with a regular weekday bedtime had better weight status, healthier eating habits, and more physical activity opportunities. Parental reports may indicate parenting skills related to other health-related behaviors for preventing childhood obesity.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Jacob Szeszulski, Timothy J. Walker, Sheryl A. McCurdy, Deanna M. Hoelscher
Summary: The study found that most school districts used template language when writing their school wellness policies, with some making edits to the template content. Locally developed school wellness policies tend to include more specific goals and details.
JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ronna N. Robbins, Monica Serra, Nalini Ranjit, Deanna M. Hoelscher, Sara J. Sweitzer, Margaret E. Briley
Summary: This study aimed to examine the efficacy of different vitamin D supplementation regimens on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations among older adults in long-term care (LTC) and determine the minimal dose rate required to achieve sufficient serum concentrations. The results suggest that supplementation with 37.5 μg/d of vitamin D-2or3 or a combination of vitamin D is most likely to achieve sufficient serum 25(OH)D concentrations in older adults in LTC.
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Christine E. S. Jovanovic, Jacob Whitefield, Deanna M. Hoelscher, Boajiang Chen, Nalini Ranjit, Alexandra E. van den Berg
Summary: The study validated the effectiveness of the FRESH Austin FFQ questionnaire in assessing fruit and vegetable consumption, showing that the questionnaire accurately estimates fruit and vegetable consumption in different communities and provides important insights into evaluating community efforts to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ruth Sanchez, Nalini Ranjit, Steven H. Kelder, Montana Gill, Deanna M. Hoelscher
Summary: Research in Texas indicates that weight control may influence the use of e-cigarettes among adolescents with overweight or obesity, especially males. The study suggests a significant association between weight intentions and e-cigarette use, with potential discrepancies in findings due to ethnic diversity within the population studied.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Eric J. Puttock, Jose Marquez, Deborah R. Young, Abraelle M. Shirley, Bing Han, Thomas L. McKenzie, Nicole J. Smith, Kathleen Manuel, Deanna Hoelscher, Suzanne Spear, Monica Ruiz, Charlotte Smith, Kimberly Krytus, Iveris Martinez, Hosung So, Marian Levy, Vikki Nolan, Erika Bagley, Amber Mehmood, Joy Goens Thomas, Lily Apedaile, Shelby Ison, Daheia J. Barr-Anderson, John G. Heller, Deborah A. Cohen
Summary: This study aimed to identify factors associated with adherence to mask-wearing and social distancing guidelines. The results showed a strong association between local mask mandates and correct mask use, suggesting that public policy has a powerful influence on individual behavior. Mask mandates should be considered in future pandemics to increase adherence.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nalini Ranjit, David J. Badillo, Deanna M. Hoelscher, Sarah Macias, Alejandra Gonzalez, Anna V. Wilkinson
Summary: The age-adjusted prevalence of leisure-time physical inactivity is higher among Blacks and Hispanics compared with Whites. Racial/ethnic minorities in low-income communities engage in more physical activity than Whites.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Erin E. Dooley, Cari Browning, Christina A. Thi, Deanna M. Hoelscher, Courtney E. Byrd-Williams
Summary: This study examined the differences in physical activity, screen time, and outdoor policies and practices by QRIS certification in Texas childcare centers. TRS-certified centers reported more physical activity policies and practices, more screen time policies, and more outdoor practices compared to non-certified centers. QRIS can be a practical way to incorporate obesity prevention in early care and education, but further research is needed on a larger scale.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH PROMOTION
(2021)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Kathryn M. Janda, Deborah Salvo Dominguez, Nalini Ranjit, Deanna M. Hoelscher, Amy Price, Alexandra van den Berg
Summary: Food insecurity affects 12% of Americans and is associated with conditions such as undernutrition, obesity, and chronic diseases. This study found that geographic food access is linked to food insecurity, with differences based on level of urbanicity. Mitigation programs are needed in peri-urban and rural areas to address this issue.
JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nalini Ranjit, Sarah Macias, Deanna Hoelscher
TRANSLATIONAL BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Erin E. Dooley, Kelley Pettee Gabriel, Harold W. Kohl, Casey P. Durand, Deanna M. Hoelscher, Courtney E. Byrd-Williams
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kevin Lanza, Abiodun Oluyomi, Casey Durand, Kelley Pettee Gabriel, Gregory Knell, Deanna M. Hoelscher, Nalini Ranjit, Deborah Salvo, Timothy J. Walker, Harold W. Kohl
JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT & HEALTH
(2020)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sarah E. Messiah, Paul M. Sacher, Joshua Yudkin, Ashley Ofori, Faisal G. Qureshi, Benjamin Schneider, Deanna M. Hoelscher, Nestor De la Cruz-Munoz, Sarah E. Barlow