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ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Schools are a key setting for childhood obesity interventions, yet nurses are not often included in delivering these interventions. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine school-based interventions involving nurses in a role beyond anthropometric measurement for effect on change in body measures. METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of these papers. RESULTS The literature search produced 2412 articles. Eleven met inclusion criteria for the systematic review (4 randomized controlled trail [ RCT], 7 quasi-experimental) and 8 for the meta-analysis. None have been included in prior meta-analyses. Four studies restricted eligibility to overweight and/or obese children; 7 included all children regardless of body weight. Random effects meta-analytic models represent data from 6050 (body mass index [BMI]), 5863 (BMIz), and 416 (BMI percentile) children, respectively. Pooled analyses demonstrated statistically significant decreases in BMI (6 studies: −0.48 [95% CI −0.84, −0.12]; I2=91.2%, Q=68.1), BMIz (5 studies: −0.10 [95% CI: −0.15, −0.05]; I2=0, Q=2.3), and BMI percentile (3 studies: −0.41 [95% CI: −0.60, −0.21]; I2=0, Q=2.0). CONCLUSIONS These findings are similar to those of other meta-analyses of school-based interventions and suggest that school nurses can play a key role in implementing sustainable, effective school-based obesity interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: School‐based health centers (SBHCs) provide health care to vulnerable youth. The purpose of the study was to identify characteristics of youth who use SBHCs with the highest frequency to understand their health needs and receipt of health services. METHODS: This study examined cross‐sectional survey data from adolescents in 3 urban school districts (n = 2641) to identify the characteristics of youth who use SBHCs with high frequency (10+ visits). Analyses included calculations of simple frequencies and percentages, chi‐square tests of significance and multivariate regression. RESULTS: High‐frequency SBHC users were more likely to have seriously considered attempting suicide (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.2), be sexually active (AOR: 6.8), and have been victimized at school (AOR: 2.2) compared to their peers who did not use the SBHC. High‐frequency SBHC users were also significantly more likely than their peers to report "always" getting mental health (AOR: 7.0) and sexual health (AOR: 6.6) care when needed, and having talked with a health care provider about their moods/feelings (AOR: 3.1) and how school is going (AOR: 3.2) in the past year. CONCLUSIONS: These findings hold important relevance to demonstrating the value of SBHCs in increasing vulnerable youth's access to health care, particularly in urban settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Low‐income and racial/ethnic minority students often face distinct challenges in attending school eading to lower academic performance, low graduation rates, and overall, an indicator of diminished long‐term social and financial stability. Chronic absenteeism is a national problem and to address this, a better understanding of risks and points of intervention for the students most at risk is needed. This cross‐sectional study sought to assess risks and protective factors associated with chronic absenteeism in a predominantly low‐income minority school district in Southern. METHODS: Conducted in southern California, students (N = 24,439) ages 9 to 21 years were recruited. A logistic regression was used to assess the role poor physical and mental health, safety, bullying, and family risk factors attributed to chronic absenteeism. RESULTS: Results revealed that asthma (odds ratio [OR] = 1.35, p <.001), being overweight/obese (OR = 1.38, p <.01), presence of family risk factors (OR = 1.49, p <.001), bullying (OR = 0.84, p <.05) and perceptions of safety at school (OR = 1.24, p <.05) increased the odds of chronic absenteeism, while protective factors such as support (OR = 1.30, p <.001), increased sleep (OR = 0.96, p <.001) and positive growth mindset (OR = 0.96, p <.001), mitigated it. CONCLUSION: This study not only identifies risk but protective factors worth adhering to, to promote school attendance. Future research should further examine the role of mental health in chronic absenteeism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence, identify risk factors, and assess the impact of nonphysical workplace violence (WPV) events among education workers (teachers, professionals, and support personnel). METHODS: A cross‐sectional survey was mailed to a random sample of 6450 education workers, stratified by sex, occupation, and school location in Pennsylvania. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 2514 participants, 859 (34%) reported experiencing at least one nonphysical WPV event during the 2009‐2010 school year. Coworkers were the most common source of bullying. Most education workers responded that they did not receive an adequate response from their administration after reporting a nonphysical WPV event. Risks of nonphysical assaults increased for education workers who were female, those working in an urban school, and those in their first 3 years of working in their current school. Those assaulted were significantly likely to have low job satisfaction, find work more stressful, and have poor mental health compared to those were not assaulted. CONCLUSIONS: Administration support for specific prevention efforts and post‐event responses that address the risk factors for nonphysical WPV are essential for creating a positive, safe work environment in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Limited evidence exists on effects of school‐based nutrition policies. This study explored the influence of mandatory versus voluntary provincial school nutrition policies on student eating behaviors. METHODS: A cross‐sectional, school‐based survey assessed student eating behaviors using self‐report survey measures in a representative sample of Canadian high school students from 7 provinces (N = 12,110). Provincial school nutrition policies were characterized as mandatory or voluntary. Healthful and nonhealthful eating behaviors were analyzed across sociodemographic characteristics. Regression models were used to assess the association between policy type and eating behaviors, and to explore potential moderating variables. RESULTS: Healthful and nonhealthful eating behaviors differed significantly across several sociodemographic characteristics. Overall, neither healthful nor nonhealthful eating behaviors differed significantly between schools with voluntary and mandatory nutrition policies (odds ratio [OR] = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64‐1.08; OR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.83‐1.64). Frequency of buying lunch at school and buying lunch out moderated the association between policy enforcement level and healthful eating behaviors (p =.0472, p =.0119). Frequency of buying lunch out moderated the association between policy enforcement levels and nonhealthful eating behaviors (p =.0009). CONCLUSIONS: This study documents nonhealthful components of Canadian adolescents' diets, and the results highlight important areas for future research in assessing the effectiveness of school nutrition policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]