The Kaiser Family Foundation released a report entitled "Kids and Media Use" in the United States that concluded that children's use of media--including television, computers, Internet, video games, and phones--may be one of the primary contributor's to the poor fitness and obesity of many of today's adolescents. The present study examines the…

Weight loss clinics based on scientific fact and containing diet therapy, exercise therapy, and behavior modification components can be effective vehicles for weight loss among the mildly to moderately obese. Health educators are called on to disseminate the information necessary to establish scientifically based criteria and program evaluation…

The usefulness of exercise programs for infants and young children is discussed. (DF)

Evaluated effectiveness of Stress-Inoculation Training (SIT) with and without exercise component and Minimal exercise treatment (MIN) on trait anxiety, teacher stress, and coping strategies among 66 teachers. Found eight-week SIT with exercise to be more effective than MIN in reducing anxiety and teacher stress. SIT without exercise did not…

Reviews the efficacy of maintenance enhancement procedures to prevent relapse in smoking cessation, weight control, and exercise programs. Presents models of maintenance enhancement, reviews studies that have used relapse prevention strategies, and discusses ways of incorporating relapse prevention techniques into health promotion programs.…

Purpose: This study assessed the impact of a low cost, multicomponent physical activity intervention for older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis. Design and Methods: A randomized controlled trial compared the effects of a facility-based multiple-component training program followed by home-based adherence (n = 80) to a wait list control…

With 17,000 members, NASPE is the largest of the five national associations of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) and comprises six Academy Committees (Biomechanics; Curriculum and Instruction; Exercise Physiology; Motor Development and Learning; Sport and Exercise Psychology; and Sport History,…

This study compared compliance rates in two exercise programs for children aged 8 to 14, one a well-structured program, the other a home running program prescribed by a pediatrician. The greater success of the first program was attributed to enthusiastic leadership, parental support, and feelings of accomplishment in the participants. (MT)

This study investigated whether clothing can be perceived as a form of encouragement for success in a weight management exercise program. A small (n = 30) sample of children and parents, enrolled in a weight-management exercise program, responded to a survey instrument that included questions regarding fit and comfort of the clothing children wore…

Organizational culture is a primary component of functional decision making in universities. In order for administrators, faculty, and staff to effectively coordinate an efficient academic environment for health education, continuing cultural assessment and change are necessary. The purpose of this study was to explore the concept of culture at…

Suggestions are given in this paper for developing a physical fitness program for senior citizens. Discussed in detail are surveying community interest, program planning and implementation, and program evaluation. It is pointed out that fitness programs can modify many of the physical and mental changes of aging. It is emphasized that the program…

The use of exercise as a general treatment for rheumatoid arthritics (RA) has included range of motion, muscular strength, water exercise and rest therapy while virtually ignoring possible benefits of aerobic exercise. The purposes of this project were to examine the guidelines for exercise prescription in relation to this special population and…

The author argues that exercise may be a unique health behavior, leaving researchers with problems in understanding exercise compliance. New definitions, new methods, and broader perspectives are needed. Four theories of compliance are described, and problems of research methodology are discussed. (Author/MT)

Evaluated the meaningfulness of exercise training responses in patients with end stage renal disease. Data were collected on 18 patients who completed a stationary cycling training regime. Although conventional statistical analyses indicated that exercise training favorably altered participants' peak and sub-maximal exercise capacity, there was…

At 16 senior centers, studied effectiveness of exercise and cognitive-behavioral programs, compared to discussion control program, in reducing falls and injuries among 230 older adults. After one year of programs, observed no significant difference in time to first fall among groups. Secondary outcome measures such as strength, balance, fear of…