The state of children's fitness is the responsibility of all who are involved with children. As early childhood professionals, they have a duty to educate the whole (thinking, feeling, "moving") child. Moreover, teachers of preschoolers can be more realistic than parents in their assessment of children's physical inactivity levels, and preschool…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which overweight and obesity are challenges among primary school children in Kinondoni and Njombe districts. The study sought to investigate those aspects in terms of prevalence, causes and impacts on social, health as well as children learning behaviours and outcomes. Systematic random…

Noting that obesity among children is a major public health concern, this study sought to determine the relationship between the weight of mothers and weight of their offspring. Based on the literature review, the correlation between weight of mother and weight of offspring appears to be inconclusive. The subjects studied were 62 mothers and one…

Studies were made of (1) young children's use of body-weight type for processing information about peers, and (2) the development of children's stereotypical knowledge about characteristics associated with body-weight type. For the first study, a measure was developed to assess "body salience," or the degree to which children use weight…

Testimony and prepared statements on child fitness and health in the United States were presented at this hearing. Physical fitness experts testified on: (1) the potential dangers faced by physically unfit children; (2) the connection between obesity and cardiovascular diseases; (3) the role of physical education and athletics in keeping children…

A review of research indicates that cognitive restraint is insufficient in accounting for the relationship between restraint and negative affect eating. To explore what mechanism may be responsible for restraint effects, college students in two samples (Total N=378) completed the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TEQ), a restraint scale…

This annotated bibliography of materials available from the National Agricultural Library through interlibrary loan to local libraries focuses on nutrition and dietetics as they relate to physical health and special health problems. The bibliography was derived from online searches of the AGRICOLA database, and materials include audiovisuals,…

Although motivation has long been regarded as essential for behavior, very little research has been done on its role in behavior change. This paper focuses on this issue by examining motivations for eating and dieting in obese and anorexic patients. Measuring the commitment to eating and the commitment to dieting, the study finds that motivations…

To test the effectiveness of behavioral approaches to weight control, 18 adult mentally retarded subjects were randomly assigned to a behavioral therapy or to a no-treatment control group. Behavioral therapy involved exposure to external and self reinforcement, stimulus control, simplified monitoring and recording, and energy expenditure…

A ten-week study was done of four visually handicapped overweight adolescents (ages 15-19 years) in a residential school to evaluate the efficacy of an operant conditioning technique designed to promote weight loss by altering eating habits. (Author/DLS)

This article reviews four strategies employed to remediate obesity: diet restriction, use of drugs, surgical treatment, and behavior modification. The conclusion is reached that behavior modification is the most effective strategy. (JD)

Compared self-concept of obese (N=28) and nonobese (N=58) female students in a junior nursing class. Found that obese students and students who considered themselves to be obese had lower self-esteem than did nonobese students. Revealed no relationships with regard to age of onset of obesity, and no significant relationships between social class…

Comparison of childhood and adolescent obesity and anorexia nervosa reveals etiological similarities between the two conditions, particularly regarding family interactional patterns. In both cases, family enmeshment and overprotectiveness resulted in a poor sense of identity and effectiveness. Some children, while compliant and dependent in…

Twelve articles present information on childhood health matters, covering such topics as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, obesity, lead, drug abuse, alcohol use, pesticides in schools, school bullies, and reading resources. (CB)