Background: The weight-normative approach to nutrition education dominates health education programming across the United States, despite evidence that this paradigm contributes to negative outcomes including weight cycling, bias and stigma, the development of disordered eating behaviors, and weight-based bullying. Methods: This study investigates…

Background: "Choose Health: Food, Fun, and Fitness" (CHFFF) is aimed at 3rd to 6th graders, and uses experiential learning, food preparation, active games, goal setting, and a family newsletter to target behaviors shown to decrease childhood obesity and chronic disease risk. This study aimed to evaluate CHFFF as intended in low-income…

Background: Those involved in school health education programs generally believe that health-education programs can play an important role in helping young people make positive health decisions. Thus, it is to document the effects of such programs through rigorous evaluations published in peer-reviewed journals. Methods: This paper helps the…

The nation's public schools can systematically promote the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for good health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services contracted to evaluate the School Health Curriculum Project and three other approaches. The design, implementation, and benefits of the School Health Education Evaluation (SHEE) are…

Two of the design and execution consultants of the School Health Education Evaluation (SHEE) offer retrospective comments on the accomplishments and significance of the study. The authors point out several substantive findings of SHEE that have broad significance in education beyond health education alone. (Author/MT)

The School Health Education Evaluation (SHEE) was used to review the School Health Curriculum Project and three other curricula: Project Prevention, 3 Rs and High Blood Pressure, and Health Education Curriculum Guide. The four curricula are described and the process that led to their selection for SHEE is highlighted. (Author/MT)

To accurately assess the health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of students in fourth-seventh grades, the staff of the School Health Education Evaluation project found development of a new instrument necessary. The philosophic orientation and detailed processes followed in developing a noncurriculum specific, psychometrically sound evaluation…

The four-year School Health Education Evaluation (SHEE) brings new evidence and directions for more successful health education programs. The successful implementation of this program requires administrative support to ensure adequate teacher preparation, and fidelity to the curriculum must be maintained. (Author/MT)

Some well-meaning federal health and medical educational activities are unrealistic and overzealous. Drug education curricula should address issues such as self-esteem, decision making, assertion skills, stress reduction, recreational activities, and factual information. (CB)

Important findings from the School Health Education Evaluation are summarized, focusing on the four principal scores of overall knowledge, attitude, practice, and program-specific knowledge. The relationship of those scores to measures of program implementation and cost is described. Variables of program effectiveness are discussed. (Author/MT)

Two substudies were conducted within the School Health Education Evaluation to assess implementation practices and cumulative effects. Special samples were identified to permit independent analysis of contributing factors. Results of the substudies are discussed. (Author/MT)

Ten elements of comprehensiveness related to school health education that have been agreed upon by key personnel involved in the four curricula studied by the School Health Education Evaluation (SHEE) are identified. The authors recommend that the elements of comprehensiveness concept should be added to further SHEE analysis. (Author/MT)

Examined adolescent sexuality-education curricula for information on coercion (date rape, stranger rape, pressure, incest, sexual harassment, unwanted/inappropriate touch, and exploitation/victimization). Exploitation/victimization and pressure received the greatest attention. Sexual harassment was not covered in any of the curricula. Results…

This study examined conditions under which three substance abuse curricula were implemented in three Oregon school districts. Data related to teachers' involvement were collected from interviews of 44 teachers in 21 schools. Information from program coordinators included details of implementation of curricula with 4,325 students. (Author/JL)