Search

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the rationale for and potential of World Health Organization (WHO) health promoting schools (HPS) in Africa. Design/Methodology/Approach: Overview of the related literature and presentations at the 2011 Stellenbosch international colloquium on HPS relating to sub-Saharan Africa. Findings: Schools provide the most efficient and effective way to reach large portions of the population; however, no literature reporting evaluations of HPS from Africa existed ten years ago. The WHO now supports HPS strategies in over 32 African countries, recognizing that the burden of disease, disability and premature death is disproportionately high in the region, and that many of the causes are preventable. Novel applications of the WHO model are increasing; those applicable to Africa include: measures to address the widespread problem of poor oral health, hygiene and nutrition among children; a range of "entry point" activities to initiate HPS with validated evaluation methodology; initiatives centered on gardening relevant for sub-Saharan Africa; opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning opportunities generated by inter-sectoral collaborative HPS programs; and the use of social media and cell phone messaging to deliver health promotion to at-risk teen populations on the continent. Challenges include the need for multi-sectoral collaboration and Ministry leadership, paucity of human resources and stable funding and limited research and evaluation of best practices. Practical Implications: Africa faces significant challenges educating the next generation in the context of health. Strong political action, broad participation and sustained advocacy are required to capitalize on the proven potential of novel initiatives now available to disseminate "knowledge" and "healthy practices" through the WHO HPS model. Originality/Value: Use of HPS offers a flexible and inexpensive avenue of relevance where guidelines and process exist, and evidence of efficacy in Africa is accumulating.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe activities used to initiate health promotion in the school setting. Design/Methodology/Approach: Description of successful pilot Health Promoting School (HPS) initiatives in Canada and Uganda and the validated measures central to each program. Evaluation methodologies: quantitative data from the tools used complimented by descriptive/qualitative methods. Findings: Previously validated tools/methodologies used include: The World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts for comparison of children's height, weight, head circumference, and BMI against multi-ethnic standards; a 24-h dietary recall instrument to assess dietary diversity as a proxy measure of nutritional adequacy; urine analysis to evaluate baseline renal function and the effect of supplemental hydration; "photo-voice" to aid discussion of personal and community issues of concern; "role play" to promote dialogue and promote social competence; and fitness training. Each activity can combine the "curriculum content" and "healthy practices" components central to HPS concepts. All activities engaged more than 95 percent of pupils enrolled, generated positive responses, and had the potential to impact behaviors and promote health. Practical Implications: All the activities are inexpensive and straightforward to initiate, offer schools interested in health-promotion-driven education a broad range of potential "entry points" that can be matched to the interests/challenges of individual communities, and use validated methodologies aiding objective evaluation. Originality/Value: These activities foster a community empowerment ("bottom up") approach, but are also relevant for policy makers exploring HPS to address disease prevention through lifestyle change ("top down" approach). Engagement of communities and ultimately their "ownership" of the HPS initiative have been achieved with these entry point activities.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to summarize a consensus statement generated on the current challenges, strategies, and potential of health promoting schools (HPS) at a 2011 colloquium at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study where 40 people from five continents came together to share their global and regional experience surrounding the World Health Organization (WHO) HPS model. Design/Methodology/Approach: Using the consensus as its foundation, this review summarizes the underlying educational and social science concepts and factors that contribute to success or failure of HPS, and incorporates peer reviewed papers based on invited presentations at the colloquium and key related literature. Findings: HPS increase knowledge and develop behaviors that benefit the health of children, such schools are also an investment in the well-being of the larger community. Importantly for their long-term psychological health "resilience" is generated by effective HPS programs. Professional development initiatives within schools can catalyze greater absorption of the healthy school approach and focus on best practices. Promotion, support, and evaluation of programs are aided by award schemes and oversight by local or national agencies. And significant educational benefits are accrued for trainees from centers of higher learning involved in HPS program delivery. Practical Implications: Educational initiatives that utilize the relative simplicity, low cost, and inherent flexibility of the HPS model can address many significant issues facing today's children. HPS offer an innovative and participatory way to increase the likelihood of the next generation becoming aware of practical ways to positively influence their lifestyle and future well-being. Successful programs are usually those that are relevant, resonate with students, and engage school communities so that they choose to "own" and sustain their program. Originality/Value: The consensus statement provides a benchmark of the current status of HPS, and outlines future directions for this model of health promotion.

Journal writing was tested for reduction of stress in parents of premature infants. Educational materials were provided to parents. Journals were used for documenting involvement in care, record-keeping, and organization of thoughts. While only 32% of parents kept the journal, those who did found it helpful. (Author/EMK)

INTRODUCTION The rising prevalence of childhood obesity within the last decade has been associated with a corresponding increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the cluster of [...], Introduction: Canadian Aboriginal people have been disproportionately affected by obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Our objective was to determine the prevalence of obesity, glucose intolerance and the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Tsimshian Nation youth living in 3 remote coastal communities. Methods: A medical history, anthropometric measurements and an oral glucose tolerance test were performed in youth aged 6?18 years. We defined 'overweight' by a body mass index (BMI) at the 85th percentile or higher and 'obese' by a BMI at the 95th percentile or higher, by age and sex. We used the International Diabetes Federation criteria for MetS. Results: Of the 224 eligible youth, 192 (85%) participated in the study. Nineteen percent were overweight, 26% were obese and 36% had central obesity (waist circumference ≥ 90th percentile for age and sex). No new cases of T2D were identified. The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG 5.6-6.9 mmol/L) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT 2-hr glucose 7.8-11.0 mmol/L) were 19.3% and 5.2%, respectively. Five of the 10 youth with IGT had a fasting glucose less than 5.6 mmol/L. The prevalence of MetS was 4.7% and increased to 8.3% when pediatric hypertension norms were applied. Conclusion: Tsimshian Nation youth have a high prevalence of central obesity, impaired glucose homeostasis and other components of MetS. The oral glucose tolerance test may be a more appropriate screening test to identify IGT in Aboriginal youth. Introduction : Les populations autochtones du Canada sont affectees de maniere disproportionnee par l'obesite et le diabete de type 2. Nous avions pour objectif de mesurer la prevalence de l'obesite, de l'intolerance au glucose et des differents elements du syndrome metabolique chez des jeunes de la nation Tsimshian vivant dans trois villages cotiers isoles. Methodes : Nous avons procede a une anamnese, a des mesures anthropomorphiques et a des tests d'hyperglycemie provoquee par voie orale (HGPO) chez des jeunes ages de 6 a 18 ans. Nous avons defini l'embonpoint par l'atteinte d'un indice de masse corporelle (IMC) se situant dans le 85e percentile ou plus et l'obesite, par l'atteinte d'un IMC se situant dans le 95e percentile ou plus, selon l'age et le sexe. Nous avons applique les criteres de la Federation internationale du diabete en ce qui concerne le syndrome metabolique. Resultats : Parmi les 224 jeunes admissibles, 192 (85 %) ont participe a l'etude. Dix-neuf pour cent d'entre eux avaient de l'embonpoint, 26 % etaient obeses et 36 % presentaient une obesite abdominale (tour de taille 90e percentile selon l'age et le sexe). Aucun nouveau cas de diabete de type 2 n'a ete repere. La prevalence de l'hyperglycemie moderee a jeun (HMJ : 5,6-6,9 mmol/L) et de l'intolerance au glucose (resultat HGPO : 7,8-11, 0 mmol/L) a ete de 19,3 % et de 5,2 %, respectivement. Parmi les 10 jeunes qui presentaient une intolerance au glucose, 5 avaient une glycemie a jeun inferieure a 5,6 mmol/L. La prevalence du syndrome metabolique etait de 4,7 % et passait a 8,3 % lorsque l'on appliquait les criteres de l'hypertension pediatrique. Conclusion : Les jeunes de la nation Tsimshian presentent une prevalence elevee d'obesite centrale, d'hyperglycemie moderee et d'autres elements du syndrome metabolique. Les epreuves d'hyperglycemie provoquee pourraient etre les tests de depistage de l'intolerance au glucose les plus appropries chez les jeunes Autochtones.