Regular physical activity provides physical, mental and cognitive benefits for children. However, globally, only 20% of children meet the recommended levels of physical activity and, on average, students sit for three-quarters of the school day. Active breaks are a well-tested component of many school-based physical activity interventions, but…

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), the nation's first federal nutrition education program for low-income families and youths, remains at the forefront of providing nutrition education to improve the lives of historically underserved populations. EFNEP contributes to food and nutrition security as program families and youths…

The field investigating the relationship between physical activity and cognition has considerably evolved in recent years. This has led to an increasingly differentiated view on this phenomenon, challenging the notion of overall cognitive and academic benefits of regular physical activity for school-aged children, with renewed questioning of…

The aim of this article is to improve physical education (PE) teachers' knowledge about working with children diagnosed with cancer. Physical activity (PA) in this population is extremely important. Not only do these children have an increased risk of co-morbidities compared to healthy peers, but cancer treatment has negative effects on fitness…

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is an epidemiologic surveillance system that was established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help monitor the prevalence of behaviors that not only influence youth health but also put youth at risk for the most significant health and social problems that can occur during…

We provide an overview of a recently published, edited book in a rapidly emerging field of research, policy, and practice for physical activity: "Sedentary Behavior and Health". In this commentary, we highlight the broad perspectives provided in the 27 chapters of "Sedentary Behavior and Health" and suggest a research strategy…

The necessity for physical activity during physical education has gained increased and widespread attention during the last few decades. However, without monitoring mechanisms it is challenging for physical education teachers to (a) get a notion of the extent to which lessons are providing physical activity, (b) evaluate the effectiveness of…

The history of physical education has seen the embracing of practices that have promised idealized scenarios and visions of the future. These practices are in many respects ideological and this paper explores the ideological workings in physical education with a particular focus on physical literacy. The purpose is to articulate and discuss a set…

This perspective article discusses how a health-related learning community was incorporated to help freshman students learn about health and wellness and prevent weight gain at an HBCU. Freshman students often gain weight during their first year away from home. These students make poor diet and exercise choices during their transition to college…

The phenomenon of sedentary lifestyle has become a dangerous issue with serious health consequences in modern time. Modern technology has contributed, in no small measure, to a sedentary lifestyle of many individuals with attendant physical, physiological and social health hazards. As a result of lack of regular exercises, many people are now…

Physical activity behaviors children developed during their childhood have a long-term impact on their lifelong physical activity habits and healthy development, the increased levels of sedentary behavior and obesity call for immediate actions, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (Sallis et al., 2020). The COVID-19…

This paper takes on a different address to youth fitness testing from previous literature by applying a cross-cultural comparison of youth fitness testing in both the US and China. Utilizing a modified version of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Model, the chronosystem (historical evolution over time), and macrosystem (social and cultural vantage…

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is the nation's first federal nutrition education program for low-income populations. Without question, accelerating equity in programming has long been a priority of EFNEP. Historically underserved populations with limited financial resources are often people of color and at increased risk…

Montana is proud to have completed over three decades of participation in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). These results are valuable to educators, school boards, and communities, including parents and students, in understanding the health risks of Montana students, enabling districts to design local health and physical education curriculum…

The health status and physical activity levels in the United States of adolescents and adults is disheartening. Many health professionals have been using the term exercise is medicine to advocate more physically active lifestyles. Unfortunately, the focus of most PE curriculums is directed toward a sport and game model, which research indicates…