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The goals of the study were to identify the barriers and motivators for physical activity (PA) and to assess whether these factors vary by weight status. A self-administered survey was completed by 413 African American women. Each woman provided verbal informed consent and was weighed and measured by a research team member. The participants' mean BMI was 29.60 ± 7.57. Women reported low levels of moderate vigorous PA in the past week--with zero days (46%), one to two days (28%), three to four days (18%), and five to seven days (8%). Women selected "all that apply" from nine potential barriers and five potential motivators to PA. Women with higher BMI were significantly more likely to report expensive gym membership (P<0.001) and no one to exercise with (P<0.001) as barriers. Women with lower BMI were significantly more likely to report that exercise was not a priority (P<0.001). Women with higher BMI were significantly more likely to report a desire to lose weight as a motivator (P<0.001). There were no other significant variables. The findings suggest that a public health challenge persists to engage African American women of all weight status in regular PA.

Underage drinking is a widespread national problem that requires continuous attention from different agencies and groups in the community. This project was funded by a 50-member local coalition that included groups such as researchers, faith-based organizations, law enforcement, parents, schools, community college, university, local businesses, drug rehabilitation centers, and neighborhood crime watch. The goals of the project were (a) to determine the attitude towards underage drinking among residents and (b) to identify possible solutions to addressing the problem of underage drinking. A purposeful, convenient sample was used to recruit participants for six focus groups. The focus groups consisted of five adult groups and one teen group. The study used a socio-ecological model to develop the interview guide and as a framework for analyzing the data. Some of the major themes identified include (a) kids will be kids, (b) alcohol is a rite of passage, (c) the community is tolerant of underage drinking, (d) parents are a large part of the problem, (e) no one wants to get involved, and (f) the college town environment adds to the problem. The findings suggest that the socio-ecological model is an appropriate framework for assessing community's attitudes towards underage drinking and for planning future prevention programs and interventions. Recommendations for the coalition are provided. (Contains 2 tables.)

Background: African American women (AAW) are in a unique position to be recruited into mobile (mHealth) weight management research and programs due to their high rates of obesity and their high ownership of smartphones. Aim: This study examined smartphone usage, social media engagement, and willingness to participate in mHealth weight management among AAW in north-central Florida, United States. Methods: A self-administered survey was completed by a convenience sample of 425 smartphone owners in north-central Florida. Results: Mean age was 34.84 ± 13.74, with age distribution of 18 to 29 (45%), 30 to 50 (39%), and 51+ years (17%). Mean body mass index was 29.52 ± 8.18. Most used smartphones to access the Internet daily and were engaged with eight social media sites, such as Facebook (85%), YouTube (75%), and Google+ (57%). Compared to those 51+, those 18 to 29 were more likely to use YouTube (odds ratio [OR] = 2.52, p = 0.017) and Instagram (OR = 10.90, p < 0.0001), but they were less likely to use Google+ (OR = 0.40, p = 0.009). Compared to those 51+, those 30 to 50 were more likely to use Instagram (ß = 1.28, OR = 3.61, p = 0.014) and Facebook (ß = 1.04, OR = 2.84, p < 0.006). Most were willing to participate in research that used text messages (73%), smartwatches/fitness trackers (69%), and smartphone apps (68%). Compared to those 51+, women 18 to 29 were more likely to report willingness to use a smartphone app (OR = 5.45, p < 0.0001) as were those 30 to 50 (OR = 3.14, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: AAW's high ownership of smartphones, use of mHealth apps and tools, and willingness to participate in mHealth research has the potential to curb the obesity epidemic by participating in mHealth weight management programs and research.

The goals of this project were to 1) assess obesity status and body satisfaction among African American college students, and 2) to compare differences in these variables between students at a predominantly white university (PWU) and a historically black college and university (HBCU). Four hundred and two undergraduate females completed a self-administered survey (199 HBCU and 203 PWU). The mean BMI for all respondents was 25.24 plus or minus 5.56. There was no significant difference between schools (HBCU = 25.62 plus or minus 6.0; PWU = 24.89 plus or minus 5.10) on BMI. Thirty-seven percent were satisfied/very satisfied with their weight, 36% were somewhat satisfied, and 27% were dissatisfied/very dissatisfied with their weight. There was no significant difference between schools. Fifty-one percent reported weight gain in college. Students at the HBCU who reported weight gain had higher BMI (27.22 plus or minus 0.56) than students at the PWU (25.53 plus or minus 0.52) who reported weight gain (p less than 0.01). Fifty-one percent of respondents said they thought about their weight everyday/almost everyday. There was no significant difference by school (p greater than 0.05). BMI varied by housing status; students living at home or alone off-campus had significantly higher BMI than those living on campus or off-campus with roommates (p = 0.0003). This study found few significant differences in weight status and body satisfaction between African American college females attending a HBCU and a PWU. Differences were due mainly to the demographic characteristics of the samples, particularly housing arrangement. Implications for college wellness programs are discussed. (Contains 3 tables.)

The goals of this case study were to: (1) determine the efficiency and effectiveness of three survey methods--postal mail survey, web-based survey, and random in-class administration survey--in assessing tobacco-related attitudes and behaviors among college students and (2) compare the response rate and procedures of these three methods. There was a large disparity in response rate between the three survey methods. In-class administration had the highest response rate (66%), followed by postal mail survey (23%) and web-based survey (10%). Based on the results, we recommend in-class survey administration with random class selection for conducting survey research on college campuses. This method appears to be efficient, productive and simple, and does not allow for the occurrence of many of the difficulties that commonly arise when other modes are used.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a tobacco education curriculum in increasing knowledge about tobacco, attitudes toward tobacco use, and intentions to use tobacco among elementary school children. A two-stage cluster sample was used to select a representative sample of 97 schools. Forty-nine schools were in the evaluation group and 48 schools were in the comparison group. One thousand seven hundred and forty-six third grade students participated in the study. The results indicate a significant increase in knowledge and attitude in posttest scores but no significant difference in intentions posttest scores. Most students never tried cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, or cigars (95%, 98%, and 98%, respectively). There were no significant differences between the evaluation and comparison groups for use of any tobacco products (p greater than 0.05). Boys were almost twice as likely to have tried cigarettes (p less than 0.05, OR 1.78) and almost three times as likely to have tried cigars (p less than 0.05, OR 2.52) than girls. (Contains 3 tables.)

Background: Despite the high ownership of smartphones, African Americans (AAs) remain underrepresented in health research and specifically mobile health (mHealth) research. This may be due to ineffective recruitment efforts. Purpose: To explore strategies for recruiting AAs into mHealth research and examine how these strategies may vary by gender and age-group. Method: Twenty triad focus groups (n = 60) were conducted with AA males (n = 9 groups) and females (n = 11 groups). The framework method was used to manage, organize, synthesize, and analyze data themes by gender and age-group (18-29, 30-50, 51+). Results: Most participants owned smartphones (71%) and were willing to participate in mHealth research (62%). The participants' narrative revealed the tension between mistrust of researchers and the excitement of participating in technology-based research. Both genders and all age-groups can be reached via word-of-mouth because it is "the best advertisement." Personal contact must precede traditional and electronic recruitment strategies because "we have to know you." Churches are excellent places for recruitment because they are "trustworthy" and have a "repeat audience." Facebook may be effective for both genders and all age-groups because "everybody is on Facebook" and it can "reach more people than text and e-mail." Beauty/barber shops may be limited in reaching both genders and age-groups, but especially young women who style their own hair natural, and young men who wear braids and dreadlocks. Personal contact must precede traditional and electronic recruitment strategies because "we have to know you." Conclusion: A tailored, multipronged strategy that combines traditional recruitment methods with texting, e-mail, and social media may be effective in recruiting AA adults into mHealth research.

This article describes and compares smoking prevalence, types of tobacco products used, and motivation to quit among college students at universities and community colleges. Data were collected using the Florida Annual College Tobacco Survey (FACTS). Nine universities and eight community colleges participated in the study (n = 4973). Most students (69%) experimented with tobacco. Cigarettes were used more often (57.4%), followed by Black 'N Mild (31.8%), cigars (30.1%), kreteks/bidis (24.1%), smokeless tobacco (13.9%), and pipe (8.9%). University students were more likely than community college students to have tried kreteks/bidis and cigars (p less than .05). University students experimented at a significantly earlier age with cigarettes and pipes while community college experimented at a significantly earlier age with cigars and kreteks/bidis (p less than .05). The majority of cigarette smokers (62%) were not interested in quitting. The implications for college tobacco education programs are discussed. (Contains 4 tables.)

Sexuality education, part of the comprehensive school health education component of a Coordinated School Health Program, interests many health educators as well as special education teachers. In this study, Florida special educators reported their beliefs about teaching sexuality education to educable mentally disabled students, the range of sexuality topics they teach, and their professional preparation in sexuality education. Respondents (n = 494) completed a mailed instrument that included the 36 sexuality content areas identified by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States. Respondents believed strongly that many of the sexuality topics and content areas should be taught to educable mentally disabled students. However, most reported delivering only a modest amount of sexuality education, and they rated their professional preparation as inadequate. Regression analyses documented that respondents' belie[s predicted the topics they actually taught within 5 of the 6 key concepts. This study supports collaboration between health educators" and special education teachers to adapt existing sexuality curricula for students with special needs, improve professional preparation of special education teachers to teach sexuality education, and to more effectively implement comprehensive school health education through the Coordinated School Health Program model to special education students.

Investigated African Americans' dietary patterns in light of national nutrition recommendations. Questionnaires and focus groups indicated that most respondents rated their diets good or excellent, but most had unhealthy eating habits. Most had recently tried to lower fat intake. Milk, whole grains, vegetables, and water were the most difficult items to increase. Meat and fried foods were the most difficult to reduce. (SM)

Study used focus group interviews with ninth graders to help develop a nutrition education video and teacher's guide for Florida high schools. Students believed a video would be successful, expressed interest in 10 nutrition topics, recommended using teen actors with varying body types, and suggested no more than three or four topics per video. (SM)

When immigrant children and adolescents leave their country of origin to live in the United States, they leave behind a familiar language, culture, community, and social system. They also experience a variety of emotional and cognitive adjustments to the realities of life in the United States. Many of these conflicts and adjustments place immigrant children at increased risk for psychosocial problems, school failure, drug use, and other risk-taking behavior. Early identification of immigrant children at risk for these problems can help school personnel and health care providers plan culturally appropriate and effective interventions. This article discusses the potential psychosocial problems encountered by immigrant children in adjusting to a new home, school, and society, and offers suggestions for action. (J Sch Health. 1997;67(3):98-102), According to the 1994 Current Population Survey, some 22.6 million foreign-born persons reside legally in the United States, representing 8.6% of the population.[1] The number of illegal immigrants is unknown. [...]

Important changes in breast-feeding behavior have been observed in many parts of the world. The general trend has been a decrease in the prevalence and/or duration of breast-feeding (1,2). Some […]

Advantages of breast-feeding are well documented, and medical and health professionals promote it as the optimal feeding method for the first 6 months of life [1-2]. Even so, fewwomen in [...]

Lesson Objectives 1) To identify stereotypes and perceptions of different groups of alcoholics. 2) To increase cultural awareness and competence among students. Assessment Criteria Individuals will be able to outline [...]

Most African American (AA) men own a smartphone, which positions them to be targeted for a variety of programs, services, and health interventions using mobile devices (mHealth). The goal of this study was to assess AA men’s use of technology and the barriers and motivators to participating in mHealth research. A self-administered survey was completed by 311 men. Multinomial logistic regression examined associations between three age groups (18-29 years, 30-50 years, and 51+ years), technology access, and motivators and barriers to participating in mHealth research. Sixty-five percent of men owned a smartphone and a laptop. Men aged 18 to 29 years were more likely willing to use a health app and smartwatch/wristband monitor than older men (p < .01). Men aged 18 to 29 years were also more likely than older men to be motivated to participate for a free cell phone/upgraded data plan and contribution to the greater good (p < .05). Older men were more likely than younger ones to be motivated to become more educated about the topic (p < .05). Younger men were more likely than older ones to report lack of interest in the topic as a barrier to participating (p < .01), while older men were more likely than younger ones to cite lack of research targeted to minority communities as a barrier (p < .05). This study suggests that culturally tailored mHealth research using smartphones may be of interest to AA men interested in risk reduction and chronic disease self-management. Opportunities also exist to educate AA men about the topic at hand and why minority men are being targeted for the programs and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to explore the weight management experiences of Baby Boomer men (born between 1946 and 1964) and to use the information to develop targeted messages and interventions. Twenty men were interviewed. The Health Belief Model was used as the study’s theoretical framework. Men correctly identified health risks of being obese. However, most believed that body mass index and weight charts were unrealistic, and a few felt that they would be too “skinny” at the recommended weight. Wives were sources of nutrition information and social support. Perceived benefits of losing weight included reduced risk for health problems and looking good. Perceived barriers included apathy and weight loss programs being “too feminine.” Motivators for losing weight included being diagnosed with a health problem, health requirements for work, and financial incentives. The data themes suggest ways to develop male-specific messages and interventions that consider the aging body. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Asian Indians constitute the fastest growing body of international students across colleges and universities in the United States. Educational institutions should become informed about Asian Indian college students' lifestyles and health information seeking behaviors. A convenience sample of 300 self-identified Asian Indian students at a large southeastern university consented to participate in a cross-sectional study. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics and chi-square. Participants reported changes in their lifestyles since they entered college. They identified doctors, friends, and family as their sources for health information. Students also indicated a need for information about healthy recipes, time management, and exercise. These findings suggest implications for health educators and other professionals to tailor health promotion messages toward this unique population of students. Asian Indians, who refer to themselves as East Indians or Indo-Americans, represent the fastest growing (69%) Asian sub-group in the United States (Asian American Federation, 2012). The U.S. Census Bureau (2010) popularized the term Asian Indian in 1980 to avoid confusion with the general term Indian. The Census Bureau also defined Asian Indians as individuals who live in the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent. Asian Indians are diverse with regard to the region of origin in India (North, South, East, and West) as well as the religion they practice (Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Christianity) that influences their dietary patterns. An extensive body of literature identified health, lifestyle, and cultural differences between Asian Indians and other ethnic groups residing in the US. Such differences can be attributed to the fact that Asian Indians consume a predominantly vegetarian diet and represent diverse cultures that include different dietary laws and codes for fasting and feasting, unique foods, and religious beliefs (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, 2002; Kanaya et al., 2010; Kulkarni, 2004; Singh & Miller, 2004; Stella, Huang, & Singh, 2004). Literature also noted a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension among the Asian Indian population in the US (CDC, 2011; Kanaya et al., 2010; Misra & Vikram, 2004; Venkataraman, Nanda, Baweja, Parikh, & Bhatia, 2004). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A program for a classroom activity which incorporates nutrition into a session teaching about elementary mathematics is presented. Teachers ask their students to bring to class a fruit or a vegetable and discuss each item's nutritional value. They will then divide the class into groups of three to four children. Each child will be given a lunch bag containing paper cutouts of a fruit and a vegetable, with each cutout having a numeral representing the number of servings which have already been eaten for the day. Each child will ask the class to identify the fruit or vegetable by giving hints on its nutritional value or the number of servings needed to meet daily nutritional requirements., Topic Integrating nutrition into mathematics education Lesson Objective 1. Define a fruit. 2. Define a vegetable. 3. Classify and sort foods into fruit and vegetable categories. 4. Discuss the nutrient [...]