School Health Archives - Health Behavior and Policy Review

The Effects of Supervision and Activity Status on Physical Activity Participation with Activity Zoned Playgrounds in Elementary-Aged Children

A Fast Track Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.

Authors:

Jillian L. Barnas, PhD
Travis Emerson, MS
Stephen D. Ball, PhD

Objective:

We compared changes in physical activity (PA) in active and inactive youth during school recess with supervised and unsupervised activity zoned playgrounds (AZP).

Methods:

We analyzed PA of 143 third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders from 2 elementary institutions using Actigraph-GT3X accelerometers for 4 weeks. We collected baseline data for one week prior to activity zoning. Afterwards, the playgrounds were divided into 6 activity zones for 2 weeks, with activity zones supervised at only one institution. Activity zones were removed, and PA data were collected for one-week post intervention.

Results:

We saw few differences in PA engagement between the supervision conditions throughout the duration of AZP implementation such that moderate and vigorous PA decreased with supervision (ps < .05). Initial activity status influenced PA engagement with AZP implementation. AZPs significantly reduced vigorous PA engagement in active kids with subsequent increases in light PA engagement, whereas PA engagement remained relatively unchanged among inactive children.

Conclusions:

Supervising AZP may be detrimental to PA engagement during recess; however, this could be dependent on the reliability of employed supervisors. Additionally, considerable attention is needed with activity development that will appease students of differing activity statuses and prevent decreases in higher intensity PA engagement.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/psp/hbpr/pre-prints/content-psp_hbpr_1135

Steven Rowe2024-07-24T11:28:52-06:00July 24th, 2024|Physical Activity, School Health|

Effects of Activity-zoned Playgrounds on Social Skills, Problem Behavior, and Academic Achievement in Elementary-aged Children

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A Fast Track Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.

Authors:

Jillian L. Barnas, PhD
Travis Emerson, MS
Stephen D. Ball, PhD

Objective:

We assessed changes in social skill development, problem behaviors, and academic competencies with an acute implementation of an activity-zoned playground (AZP) during recess.

Methods:

Third- and fifth-grade students (N = 116) from 2 midwestern elementary institutions were selected to wear an accelerometer at recess and have their teacher complete a pre- and post-intervention assessment of the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS). We measured physical activity (PA) using Actigraph-GT3X accelerometers for 4 continuous weeks: one week of baseline, 2 weeks of activity zone intervention, one week of post-intervention with activity zone removal.

Results:

The AZP intervention was effective at increasing MVPA with decreases in sedentary activity during recess for third-grade students whereas fifth-grade students showed no significant change in PA (ps < .001). Furthermore, third-grade children improved their social skill scores by 3% (p = .003), but no change in social skill behavior was noted for fifth-grade students (p = .73); we detected no differences in problem behaviors or academic competence (ps > .05).

Conclusions:

Activity-zoned playgrounds can improve PA engagement and can lead to improvements in social skill development without worsening problem behaviors, especially in younger students.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/psp/hbpr/pre-prints/content-psp_hbpr_1134

Steven Rowe2024-07-24T11:21:03-06:00July 24th, 2024|Physical Activity, School Health|

The Wellbeing of Rural K-12 Educators: Applying PERMA in Rural Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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A Fast Track Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.

Authors:

Benjamin C. Ingman, PhD
Elizabeth Anderson, PhD
Sandra Bertram Grant, MEd
Elaine S. Belansky, PhD

Objective:

In this paper we describe the status of wellbeing for school personnel in the 2021-22 school year through the PERMA framework and the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted dimensions of wellbeing.

Methods:

We administered the workplace wellbeing survey (a quantitative instrument based on PERMA) to school staff members in a rural/frontier region of a western state of the United States. Overall, 777 persons completed it, including 463 teachers from 23 school districts.

Results:

PERMA constructs of meaning and accomplishment were higher than other constructs and may serve as an anchor for wellbeing in education. Teachers showed lower levels of positive emotion, engagement, and accomplishment, when compared to nonteachers in schools. When compared with non-Hispanic personnel, Hispanic personnel had lower levels of wellbeing in the domain of relationships and reported a more severe adverse impact from the COVID-19 pandemic on both social and physical wellbeing.

Conclusions:

Adopting a more nuanced view of educator wellbeing, as defined by more than the mere absence of burnout and attrition is critical to fostering educational practices that promote the flourishing of school personnel.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/psp/hbpr/pre-prints/content-psp_hbpr_1124

Steven Rowe2024-05-31T09:58:23-06:00May 30th, 2024|COVID19, Rural Health, School Health|

Improving Water Consumption in Underserved Elementary Schools: Implementation and Evaluation of a School-based Hydration Initiative

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An Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.

Authors:

Kristina L. Tatum, PsyD
Jessica Gokee LaRose, PhD
Danyel I. Smith, PhD
Mary Dunne Stewart, MSW
Elizabeth Theriault, MPH, MSW
Melanie K. Bean, PhD

Objective:

Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a school-based hydration initiative in elementary schools.

Methods:

Hydration initiative included (1) placement of hydration stations, (2) promotional and educational activities during “Water Week,” and (3) provision of reusable water bottles. Surveys were administered at baseline and follow-up to assess student beverage intake and perceptions about the school’s environmental hydration policies and practices. Water bottle fills were assessed objectively at baseline, post-Water Week, and followup via weekly counts from hydration stations.

Results:
Water use increased post-Water Week (2.97±2.14), declining to 0.71±0.47 2 weeks later. At follow-up, frequency of soda consumption decreased (-.01 times/day; p < .001), self-reported water refill station use increased (p = .011), and a decrease (-.04 cups/day) in overall daily water intake (p = .043). At follow-up, there was an increase in the percentage of school personnel who reported their school promoted water as the best choice (p = .039). Students and teachers reported positive attitudes towards hydration stations, with some concerns about water bottle use in classrooms.

Conclusions:

The intervention reduced soda consumption and improved school hydration culture. Results can inform hydration policy and programming efforts for elementary school students.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review, Volume 11, Number 1, February 2024
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.11.1.6

Steven Rowe2024-03-27T15:54:54-06:00March 15th, 2024|School Health|

State SUNucate Laws, the Popularity of Google Searches for Terms Related to Sun Protection, and Youth Sunscreen Use

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A Fast Track Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.

Authors:

Christopher S. Carpenter, PhD
Michelle Marcus, PhD
Mary-Margaret Chren, MD
Brandyn F. Churchill, PhD

Objective:

Our objective was to determine whether state SUNucate laws – which have been adopted by 27 states and require schools to permit youths to carry and apply sunscreen on school grounds – were associated with changes in Google Search behavior for words and phrases related to sun protection as well as self-reported sunscreen use by youths.

Methods:

This was an observational study examining: (1) Google Trends search popularity for terms such as ‘sunscreen’ and ‘SPF’ by state, month, and year for 2004-2022; and (2) self-reported sunscreen use by high school youth in the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey during 2009-2019.

Results:

State SUNucate laws were associated with increased Google search popularity of terms related to sun protection. Google search popularity for “sunscreen” increased by 27.2% (95% CI 12.67% to 41.7%; p < .001). State SUNucate laws were also associated with increased sunscreen use among high school youths by 8.3% (95% CI 0.014% to 15.0%; p < .05).

Conclusions:

State SUNucate laws may be effective tools for increasing population search behavior for sun protection terms and youth sunscreen use.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.10.4.1

Steven Rowe2023-10-20T16:33:44-06:00August 24th, 2023|Adolescents, School Health, Youth|

Increasing and Retaining Tween Knowledge of Proper Medicine Use

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An Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
The full article is available as a PDF download.

Authors:

Leslie Bloom, MS
Leily Saadat-Lajevardi, MSEd, MBA
Andrew Myers, MD
Mary Kathryn Malone, MEd, MBA
Brenda Zimmerman, MS

Objective:

OTC Medicine Safety, a free, easily accessible, in-classroom educational program available through Young Minds Inspired (https://ymiclassroom.com/lesson-plans/otcmedsafety), was developed to improve adolescents’ knowledge of safe use of medicines. In a proof-of-concept study, students increased knowledge about safe, appropriate use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. In this study, we assessed whether the OTC Medicine Safety program effectively increased students’ knowledge and if students retained this knowledge over time.

Methods:

We measured student knowledge before implementation (baseline, Quiz 1) immediately after implementation (Quiz 2), and 10 weeks after baseline (Quiz 3) in 3 test schools. We measured knowledge at similar intervals in 3 control schools (no program implementation).

Results:

Baseline knowledge was low (average 39.3% of 36 questions answered correctly). Among intervention schools, scores significantly improved immediately (average correct 62.9%) after implementation and were retained at 10 weeks (59.8%) (p < .001). Change in score from baseline among intervention schools immediately after the lesson implementation was significantly higher than corresponding changes from baseline among control schools (intervention: +23.0 vs control: -3.2) and at 10 weeks (intervention: +19.9 vs control: -2.9), p < .001.

Conclusions:

The OTC Medicine Safety Program effectively improved students’ knowledge of safe medicine-taking practices and students retained this knowledge at 10 weeks.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review, Volume 9, Number 6, November 2022, pp. 1128-1139(12)
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.9.6.5

Steven Rowe2023-01-18T11:21:19-07:00January 18th, 2023|Adolescents, School Health|

School Nurses’ Perspectives of Bullying Involvement of Adolescents with Chronic Health Conditions

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An Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
The full article is available as a PDF download.

Authors:

Sally S. Cohen, PhD, RN, FAAN
Laura Grunin, MSN, RN
Timothy C. Guetterman, PhD, MA

Objective:

Our primary objective was to understand bullying as it pertains to middle school students with chronic physical or behavioral health conditions by examining it through the lens of school nurses. A second objective was to understand issues pertaining to implementation of New York’s bullying prevention law with a focus on these same students.

Methods:

We employed a qualitative descriptive design with purposive sampling to explore perspectives of school nurses in New York State who worked in public middle schools. Using a semi-structured protocol, we conducted audio-recorded telephone interviews that were transcribed for subsequent thematic analysis.

Results:

Twelve nurses agreed to be interviewed. Results revealed participants’ under- standing of bullying as related to students with chronic health conditions, especially those with behavioral health issues. Results also showed nurses’ limited understanding of New York’s bullying prevention law and missed opportunities for school nurses as champions of students with chronic health conditions who are bullied.

Conclusions:

Education and health care professionals should collaborate to disseminate information to school personnel about the risks of bullying for students with chronic health conditions and operationalize plans for prevention.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review, Volume 9, Number 3, May 2022, pp. 877-893(17)
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.9.3.5

Steven Rowe2022-06-11T16:22:28-06:00June 11th, 2022|Adolescents, Mental Health, School Health|

Weight Perception and Weight Control Behavior among Florida High School Students

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An Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
The full article is available as a PDF download.

Authors:

Deana A. Hildebrand, PhD, RD
Jeremy Humphrey, MS
Lindsi Lemons, MPH

Objective:

Actions adopted by adolescents to control their weight are motivated by their body weight perception. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between body weight perception and weight control behavior among Florida public high school students.

Methods:

We analyzed data from the 2015 Florida Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N = 3798). We used chi-square test to detect group differences among survey respondents and multivariate logistic regression to assess the association between weight perception and weight control behavior.

Results:

Most survey respondents adopted healthy actions such as exercise and diet, 75.3% and 55.0%, respectively, and few used unhealthy ones as weight control means, such as fasting, use of diet products, and purging, 15.6%, 7.3%, and 6.5% respectively. Compared to respondents who considered themselves as having the right weight, there were higher odds of engaging in healthy activities only in respondents who considered themselves as being overweight while there were higher odds of engaging in unhealthy actions in respondents perceiving themselves as underweight and in those viewing themselves as overweight.

Conclusions:

High school health education courses should include modules educating students on the importance of having accurate knowledge about body weight and adopting a healthy weight control behavior.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review, Volume 9, Number 2, March 2022, pp. 815-827(13)
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.9.2.8

Steven Rowe2022-04-11T11:30:35-06:00April 11th, 2022|Health Policy, Lifestyle, School Health|

Non-profit Coordinated School Health Program Achieves Student Outcomes in Both Beginning and Experienced Schools

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An Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
The full article is available as a PDF download.

Authors:

Deana A. Hildebrand, PhD, RD
Jeremy Humphrey, MS
Lindsi Lemons, MPH

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of an ongoing health promotion program to sustain student outcomes over an extended period, and to determine if student outcomes are affected by the schools’ duration of program participation.

Methods:

The repeat- measures study used secondary data from Healthy Schools Oklahoma for School Years 2016-2019. FITNESSGRAM^® assessed changes in student fitness levels (N = 12,219); an electronic health survey assessed changes in knowledge and behaviors (N = 6840). McNemar tests examined change in the proportion of students reaching the healthy fitness zone (HFZ) for 6 FITNESSGRAM^® tests, and the proportion of students with accurate knowledge or meeting dietary and physical activity recommendations. Poisson regression tested for change in student outcomes based on duration of program participation.

Results:

The proportion of students reaching HFZ increased for 5 of 6 fitness tests (p ≤ .004) and with accurate nutrition and physical education knowledge (p ≤ .009). We found statistically significant main effects for outcomes (p ≤ .016) and duration (p ≤ .030); there was no effect for the interaction.

Conclusions:

Students achieved similar gains in outcomes regardless of the schools’ duration of program participation.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review, Volume 9, Number 2, March 2022, pp. 765-775(11)
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.9.2.4

Steven Rowe2022-03-30T22:10:15-06:00March 30th, 2022|Nutrition, Physical Activity, School Health|

Using Digital Platforms in Schools for Prevention and Health Promotion: A Scoping Review

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An Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
The full article is available as a PDF download.

Authors:

Christian Dagenais, PhD
Michelle Proulx, PhD
Esther Mc Sween-Cadieux, PhD

Objective:

Digital platforms for prevention and health promotion (PHP) are now, more than ever, available for use by school professionals, including teachers. However, little is known about what motivates them to use such platforms. A scoping review (ScR) was conducted to identify conditions that promote use by school professionals, including teachers, of PHP digital platforms at schools.

Methods:

For our ScR, we accessed ERIC, Sociological Abstracts, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science databases (period 2000-2018) in 3 sectors: education, health, online technologies. For each study, we prepared and validated a summary sheet. Contents dealing with conditions for use were subjected to open coding, grouped into categories, and synthesized.

Results:

Of the 3639 articles captured, 17 studies were selected. Five conditions emerged: (1) ensuring that the digital platform becomes a reference for PHP activity in schools; (2) that the resources needed for its uptake are mobilized; (3) that it is user-friendly; (4) that the digital platform engages the participation of everyone involved; and (5) that it is linked to existing programs in the school.

Conclusions:

These results can guide the activities deployed in schools for optimal implementation of PHP programs from digital platforms.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review, Volume 9, Number 2, March 2022, pp. 719-737(19)
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.9.2.1

Steven Rowe2022-04-05T11:22:21-06:00March 30th, 2022|School Health, Technology Use|

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