Describes the Lose to Win Program, a weight loss program for third, fourth and fifth grade students. The program included nutrition education, exercise, and improving the self concept, and involved the use of rewards, and support of parents and school staff. (JAC)

Research on prevalence, characteristics, and treatment of obesity of mentally retarded individuals was reviewed. Obesity is prevalent in retarded Ss, with a greater incidence among females than males. Obese retarded Ss as a group can be distinguished from nonobese peers by physical condition, but not by eating style or personality characteristics.…

This manual discusses the school nurse's role in prevention and management of overweight children from an individual student perspective and, perhaps more important, from a system perspective. Manual includes the BMI (Body Mass Index) Wheel.

This report explores the potential of a simple pedometer for physical activity measurement and motivation, explaining that physical inactivity is one factor that has contributed to the recent obesity epidemic. After a brief history of the pedometer, the report discusses measurement, focusing on how to measure physical activity in free-living…

This issue of the quarterly newsletter of the Center for Mental Health in Schools includes the following features and regular segments: (1) Diversity and Professional Competence in Schools... a Mental Health Perspective; (2) Diversity Competence Relevant to Mental Health in Schools: Eliminating Disparities in School Practices; (3) Where it's…

Six overweight female mentally retarded adolescents and adults were in a behavioral weight-reduction program which involved instructiog mothers in seven group meetings and Ss themselves in six group meetings. Results showed that treatment group members lost significantly more weight than did control group members according to all three dependent…

Results lend support to the other research findings and point to the difficulties that many overweight individuals have during a weight-reduction endeavor because they also must deal with the numerous psychological and physiological problems involved in overcoming a history of being obese. (Author)

Examined the utility of System Dynamics modeling as a vehicle for controlled experimentation to study and gain insight into the impacts of physical activity and diet on body weight and composition. Results underscored the significant interaction effects between physical activity, diet, and body composition and demonstrated the utility of…

Resting metabolic rate and its relation to selected anthropomorphic measures were determined in 11 male and 7 female noninstitutionalized children with Down Syndrome. Dietary analysis was performed to determine the children's nutritional status. Results have implications for the prevention and treatment of obesity in children with Down Syndrome.…

Relates the origin and aims of the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) begun in 1972. It has failed to improve the health of newborn children or lower the infant mortality rate, because these problems relate to behavior rather than lack of food. Prenatal care and medical intervention are more appropriate…

Compared weight losses of 49 obese women assigned to 52-week behavioral program combined with moderate or severe caloric restriction. Those in severe caloric restriction group lost significantly more weight during first 26 weeks but regained some weight. Reports of binge eating declined in both groups, and no relationship was observed between…

Investigated the level and pattern of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in obese children, examining predictors of their activity. Children and their parents wore accelerometers for several days and provided demographic data. Parental activity levels significantly and independently predicted and improved the prediction of children's…

Reports suggest that 7% to 18% of Australian adults are obese and a further 16% to 55% are overweight. Studies from other countries have indicated that obesity among people with an intellectual disability may be at least, or even more, prevalent. Prevalence rates range from 28% to 59%. The aim of the current study was to investigate the weight…

Consistent with the intent of the original school-lunch program, created by Congress in 1946 to provide "nutritious agricultural commodities" to children, the major purpose of today's school-lunch program is to ensure that children, especially those from poor and low-income families, have nutritious food at school. Even as contentious and partisan…

A new approach is presented to analyze if there is a causal effect or relationship between income and measures of good health and life expectancy. One of the findings is that winning monetary lotteries could improve general health by 3 percent and decreased probability of death within five years by 2-3 percentage points. Higher income by 10…