Study investigated whether high-fat food consumption and low physical activity were risk factors for obesity in third graders. Tests revealed a greater prevalence of childhood obesity in 1985 than in 1976-80. Neither intake nor activity level were independent risk factors, but there may be synergistic effects with both present. (SM)

Examined the relationship between elementary students' television viewing and their physical fitness. Data from parent and student questionnaires and measures of body fat, cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength/endurance, and muscular flexibility indicated that television viewing weakly and inconsistently related to various components of…

This study evaluated differences in the physical activity of 104 French and Norwegian youths (ages 13-16), 20 of whom were blind. No significant differences were found between the French students who attended a special school and the integrated Norwegian students on physical activity, skills and competence, self-concept, and global self-worth.…

Establishes whether students in a variety of educational environments differ in their attitudes toward nature and the environment. Identifies students' nature and environment-related activities and knowledge. (Author/CCM)

Clarifies some recent recommendations about how much physical activity is enough, and answers common questions such as what the recommendations are and what they are based on, what is meant by moderate intensity physical activity, who is responsible for the recommendations, and when to use the different guidelines. (SM)

Examined whether elementary students would compensate for restricted physical activity during school hours by increasing activity levels after school. Students wore an accelerometer monitor for 4 consecutive days. Overall, students did not compensate for sedentary school days by increasing their physical activity levels after school. Activity…

American cultural diversity makes it difficult to promote one single fitness and health program. Health disparities exist between racial and ethnic groups. Healthy People 2000 and 2010 are designed to encourage physical activity for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status. Physicians need to understand these inequities and consider…

Discusses physical activity and exercise adherence, describing five conundrums that retard advances in knowledge about causal determinants of physical activity and successful interventions that increase physical activity and exercise adherence: adoption versus maintenance; social marketing versus product marketing; mediators of physical activity;…

Examined relationship between shyness and physical activity among Philippine high schoolers. Found that Philippine students reported less physical activity than U.S. students on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Highly shy Filipino students participated in vigorous physical activity significantly less often than those with average or low shyness and…

Examines data on 1,759 adolescents to assess the effect of low socioeconomic status on their health. Results confirm the relationship between income and health. Explains how the pathway to poor health care operates through the social environment, lifestyle differences, access to care, and self-esteem problems. Findings do suggest that physical…

Described the participation styles of college students enrolled in two basic weight training classes. Participation styles fell onto a continuum between slackin' and sweatin'. Observation and interview data indicated that there were four participation styles in the slackin' category and two in the sweatin' category. The transtheoretical model for…

Examined the effects of active supervision versus passive supervision on the moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels of middle school students during fitness instruction. Mean MVPA levels were 49.7 percent during passive supervision and 68 percent during active supervision. This highlights the importance of active supervision within…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an innovative, classroom-based physical activity prevention program designed to integrate academic curriculum elements along with a physical activity program in providing moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. A convenience sample of three public school classrooms (one first, third, and fifth…

Children's natural play patterns provide opportunity for fitness development. Children typically do not care about the benefits of physical activity or the physiology behind the activities they perform, but they are very interested in participating in fun activities. Often curricula focus on how to feed children values that are important to…

To determine personal and clinical exercise-related attitudes and behaviors of freshmen U.S. medical students, we surveyed 1,906 entering freshman medical students (response rate=87%; average age=24 years) in 17 U.S. medical schools. Students reported a median of 45 min/day of exercise, 80 min/week each of mild and moderate exercise, and 100…