Background: A healthy preK-12th-grade school environment is critical to student well-being and success. As role models, school employees play a significant part in creating a healthy environment. Research suggests that employee wellness programs (EWPs) may help school employees adopt healthier lifestyles and, therefore, be healthier, more…

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between adolescents' adherence to the 5-2-1-0 goals and the number of completed Progressive Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) laps. Methods: Participants included 1792 students aged 10 to 16 years who were randomly selected across 9 data collection periods between 2012 and…

Background: This study examines whether the extent of states' physical education (PE) requirement policies and the prevalence of schools requiring PE are associated with children's physical activity (PA) and obesity. Methods: Two cycles (2002-2003 and 2006-2007) of cross-sectional data with individual- and state-level information were…

It is too often overlooked by health professionals that their main concern should be to establish, teach, and maintain good health practices and habits, and that preventing illness is of first importance. (JD)

Investigated overweight adolescents' attitudes toward the development of school-based weight control programs, examining their level of interest in participating and noting outcomes they desired. Interviews with 61 adolescents indicated they were interested provided the programs were enjoyable, informative, caring, and supportive; did not conflict…

Summarizes U.S. data from the 1997-98 World Health Organization Health Behavior in School-Aged Children Study, which examined the attitudes and experiences of children age 11, 13, and 15 years on various health behavior and lifestyle issues. Results are presented on: health and well-being; family relationships; school relationships; school…

Describes objectives of the Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health multisite intervention study which develops behavioral school health education plans. It targets third through fifth graders, stressing cardiovascular health behaviors (e.g., eating habits, physical activity, and smoking). Curricula, school environmental change, and…

Presents testimony by representatives from several federal agencies and one national organization (W. S. Cohen, C. Levin, P. Vidmar, J. M. McGinnis, L. J. Kolbe, B. J. Nelsen, D. Ravitch, and M. Corry). (SM)