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This study assesses the associations between nutritional status and cognitive development of schoolchildren. A unit increase in height-for-age Z-score was associated with 0.12 SD, 0.08 SD and 0.12 SD increase in standardized digit span, Raven’s colored progressive metrics, and performance index of visual search task, respectively. A unit increase in body-mass-index-for-age Z-score was associated with 0.11 SD increase in standardized digit span. Hemoglobin concentration was not associated with any of the cognitive outcomes. Chronic malnutrition was associated with cognitive development in schoolchildren while thinness and hemoglobin concentrations were associated with selected or no cognitive outcomes, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objectives Design Sample Methods Results Conclusion Good oral hygiene is essential for schoolchildren's well‐being. However, lack of knowledge, negative attitudes, and poor oral hygiene practices may predispose to oral‐related diseases. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a nurse‐led oral hygiene program on schoolchildren's knowledge, attitudes, and practices.A quasi‐experimental design with pre‐and‐post‐test was used.Using the convenience sampling technique, we recruited 400 schoolchildren, aged 11–12 and in grades 5–6, from two primary schools in Egypt.The study was conducted from September 2022 to May 2023. The Oral Hygiene Program served as the primary intervention. This program contains health education topics (e.g., the importance of oral hygiene, techniques for effective tooth brushing, and dietary choices that promote dental health). Three visits were conducted (Visit 1: introduction of the program purpose and objectives and pre‐test scores collection, Visit 2: implementation of oral hygiene topics, and Visit 3: post‐test scores collection). We used three self‐report instruments (Oral Health Knowledge Questionnaire, Hiroshima University's Dental Behavioral Inventory, and Oral Health Practice Questionnaire) for pre‐ and post‐test. Paired T test and Pearson correlation analysis were used for data analysis.After the intervention program, the oral hygiene program effectively enhanced schoolchildren's knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The post‐intervention mean scores were 7.83 ± 0.488 (knowledge), 6.63 ± 1.7 (practices), and 9.33 ± 1.1 (attitudes). High statistically significant differences were noted between schoolchildren's oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices before and after implementing the program (p = 0.000).There were enhancements in the level of knowledge, with improved positive attitudes and satisfactory practices among schoolchildren after the implementation of the oral hygiene program. Integrating oral hygiene programs into the general curriculum in primary schools and training school nurses, caregivers, and teachers in implementing oral hygiene programs could improve oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices for preventing oral problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of digital devises among children and the excessive screen time are precondition for the rise in myopia at an alarming rate. The awareness of the risk factors for the onset and progression of nearsightedness is highly important. The study seeks to explore parents’ knowledge of the behavioral determining factors for the onset of the refractive myopic anomaly in schoolchildren. Conclusions: A significant part of adolescents does not observe healthy hygienic and eating habits that foster the normal visual analyzer development. Almost half of the parents are not informed of the risk factors that cause damage to the vision and of the nutrients that can help keep eyes healthy. Increasing parents’ awareness of this topic would help to narrow down the rate of prevalence of myopia among schoolchildren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Prospective memory (PM) is the ability to remember and realize one’s intentions in the future; therefore, it is crucial for the daily functioning of children and adolescents and their ability to become independent from caregivers. PM errors can have repercussions during childhood, such as influencing school performance and social relationships. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize studies analysing PM in children and adolescents (age range: 0–16 years) following PRISMA guidelines. The goal was to outline the most commonly used tasks, offering information on the development of PM, and— through a detailed analysis of the assessment of specific cognitive processes carried out in the primary studies included—providing information on the main cognitive processes involved in PM within this age group. Forty-nine studies were selected that examined PM in children and adolescents with typical development. The studies used many different tasks that can be traced back to eleven different main paradigms to evaluate PM, each structured into a PM and an ongoing task. Older children performed better on PM targets than younger children, suggesting a developmental trajectory of PM that follows a J-shaped function. Children as young as 2 years old exhibited the first signs of PM, while adolescents performed similarly to adults on PM tasks. Several factors are involved in PM development: retrospective memory, executive functions (planning, working memory, inhibitory control, monitoring), attention, metamemory, and motivation. This review May be considered a starting point to summarize the most used tools to evaluate PM in children and adolescents, and to shed light on the primary cognitive functions involved in PM, potentially offering indications to researchers in selecting optimal tasks for measuring PM across different age groups. Additionally, it underscores the importance of developing standardized measures for potential clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malocclusion is one of the three major oral diseases and may cause deterioration in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This study aims to determine the prevalence of malocclusion by gender and its impact on quality of life among 12- and 15-year-old children in Shanghai. Methods: This study summarizes the data obtained in the Shanghai Oral Health Epidemiological Survey conducted in 2019. Random cluster sampling was used to select students in Shanghai. A total of 1591 12-year-old children and 747 15-year-old children were included. Each student underwent an oral examination and completed a questionnaire. The Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON) was adopted to measure the objective severity of malocclusion and Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP) was applied to evaluate quality of life of schoolchildren. Comparisons of COHIP scores were performed among different treatment needs and difficulties by t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: No significant difference was found between genders except that the prevalence of deep overbite in 12-year-old boys (1.11 ± 0.95) was significantly higher than that in girls (0.93 ± 0.88) while the prevalence of crossbite among 12-year-old girls (26%) is significantly higher than boys (20%). Malocclusion in 15-year-old children was descended compared with 12-year-old. 15-year-old students demonstrates larger impact of malocclusion on oral health than 12-year-old group except self-image. Health impacts (COHIP) increase significantly as the malocclusion becomes severer except self-image in 12-year-old group. Conclusions: In Shanghai, the severity of malocclusion in 15-year-old children was less than 12-year-old children. Malocclusion has greater influence on oral health of 15-year-old children than 12-year-old children. Severer malocclusion generally correlates with higher level of oral health impacts in schoolchildren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of cognitive interference by using the Dual-Task (DT) paradigm on gait parameters according to sex, and age. Additionally, we aim to explore the relationship between Dual-Task-Cost (DTC), physical fitness, cognitive functioning, and weight status in schoolchildren. One hundred schoolchildren participated in this study (age = 8.83 ± 1.82 years). They were randomly assigned to Comfortable Linear Gait (CLG: gait in a straight path) or Complex Gait (CG: gait over obstacles) with and without interference. For CLG, boys and girls showed a reduction in gait speed (p < 0.001), cadence (p < 0.01), and step length (p < 0.001). In addition, double support time (p < 0.05) and cadence coefficient of variance (boys= p < 0.01; girls= p < 0.05) increased in the DT condition. In the CG, both sexes (p < 0.001) exhibited a worse execution time. There were significant effects on speed DTC between 8-9 vs. 10-11 years in CLG and 6-7 vs. 10–11 years in CGT (p < 0.05). In conclusion, gait parameters during CLG and CG are modified in the DT condition, resulting in a slower gait with shorter steps, regardless of age and sex. DTC is associated with physical fitness and cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study investigated the effect of time of day (08h00 vs. 11h00 vs. 14h00 vs. 17h00) and sex (girls vs. boys) on physical (i.e., five jump test (5JT), push-ball test and 5 m shuttle run test (5mSRT)), cognitive (i.e., attention) and mental (i.e., mental flexibility) performances. Methods: Thirty schoolchildren, equally divided in girls (n = 15; age: 9.60 ± 0.51 years) and boys (n = 15; age: 9.40 ± 0.51 years) performed the digit cancellation test, the trail making test, the 5JT, the 2 kg push-ball test and the 5mSRT in a counterbalanced and cross over study design at 08h00, 11h00, 14h00 and 17h00 with 48 h of rest in between. Additionally, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was determined after each repetition of the 5mSRT and the average of the score (i.e., sum of RPE scores divided by 6) was determined. Results: Results showed that RPE at the end of the test was significantly higher at 11h00 compared to 08h00 (p = 0.02) and 14h00 (p = 0.001) and average RPE was higher at 11h00 compared to 08h00 (p = 0.001). Likewise, attention was significantly higher at 08h00 compared to 17h00 (p = 0.001) before and after the 5mSRT test only in girls. However, 5JT performance was significantly lower at 17h00, both in girls and boys, compared to at 08h00 (p = 0.02 and p = 0.001 respectively), 11h00 (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001 respectively) and 14h00 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001 respectively). However, push-ball (p = 0.086) and 5mSRT performances [best distance (p = 0.173), total distance (p = 0.306), mean distance (p = 0.29), fatigue index (p = 0.06)] were time of day independent. Mental flexibility was significantly higher at 08h00, 11h00 and 14h00 compared to 17h00 (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Mental flexibility, attention and jump performances were time of day dependent and push-ball test and 5mSRT performances did not change according to the time of day. Also, no clear sex effect was found on the diurnal variation of mental, cognitive and physical performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus, GAS) is a significant pathogen that causes diverse infections, ranging from pharyngitis to severe invasive diseases. Asymptomatic carriage in children is pivotal for transmission. The COVID-19 pandemic's health measures, including mask wearing and enhanced hand hygiene, likely influenced GAS transmission dynamics. This study evaluated the impact of these precautions on the prevalence of asymptomatic pharyngeal GAS carriage among schoolchildren in the southern West Bank, Palestine. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two phases: pre-COVID-19 (November 2019–January 2020) and post-COVID-19 (November 2023–April 2024). Throat swabs were collected from 701 children (345 pre-COVID-19, 356 post-COVID-19) via cluster sampling. The samples were tested with the ABON Strep A rapid test and confirmed by culture. Sociodemographic, health, and household data were also collected. The statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of asymptomatic pharyngeal GAS carriage declined from 15.7% pre-COVID-19 to 10.4% post-COVID-19 (p = 0.038). Significant reductions were observed among urban residents (23.5–10.1%, p = 0.003) and those from medium socioeconomic backgrounds (16.0–9.1%, p = 0.008). Compared with urban residents, rural residents had lower GAS carriage rates (adjusted OR = 0.505, p = 0.023). Carriage rates also decreased among children with frequent sore throats (17.6–7.3%, p = 0.007) and those using private wells (52.5–14.9%, p < 0.001). Higher BMI was a significant risk factor (adjusted OR = 17.68, p < 0.001), whereas frequent tooth brushing (adjusted OR = 0.055, p < 0.001) and hand washing (adjusted OR = 0.367, p < 0.001) were protective factors. Conclusions: COVID-19-related health precautions were correlated with a significant reduction in asymptomatic GAS carriage among Palestinian children. These findings suggest that public health measures, such as mask wearing and hand hygiene, can influence the transmission of respiratory pathogens. Ongoing surveillance and targeted interventions are essential for managing GAS infections, particularly in resource-limited settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to verify the relationship between screen and sleep time, body mass index (BMI) and immunological factors with telomere length according to leisure-time physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving a sample of 476 schoolchildren of both sexes, aged seven to 17 years, from a community in southern Brazil. Behavioral variables (PA, sleep time, and screen time) were self-reported using a questionnaire. PA was classified as inactive and any PA (doing some physical activity). The associations of screen time, sleep time, BMI, and immunologic factors with telomere length were tested using multiple linear regression models, with the sample divided according to the schoolchildren's leisure-time physical activity practices. Results: An inverse association between BMI and telomere length (β: -0.239; 95% CI: -0.468; -0.010) and a direct association of leukocytes (β: 0.151; 95% CI: 0.029; 0.278) and neutrophils (β: 0.131; 95% CI: 0.008; 0.254) with telomeres were found in the inactive students. No association was found between screen time and sleep time and telomeres. No association was found among students who engaged in any PA. Conclusion: The associations between telomeres, BMI, and immunologic factors were found only in inactive students. These results suggest that the association between BMI and immunological factors and telomere length may be influenced by physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tinea capitis is an infectious dermatosis frequent in children, causative fungi variable over time and space. The risk factors associated with this disease are still poorly understood. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of tinea capitis among schoolchildren in Lomé (Togo), identify the fungal species involved and assess the associated risk factors. Patients and Methods: It was a cross‐sectional and case–control study conducted in primary schools in Lomé from November 2020 to April 2021. All pupils presenting tinea capitis suspected lesions have been sampled, and the scraping and hair were examined by direct microscopy in KOH solution and cultured in Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide. Positive children were matched by age and sex with those without symptoms for case–control study. Results: Out of the 15,087 pupils enrolled, 465 had positive cultures for dermatophytes, corresponding to the tinea capitis prevalence of 3.08% (95% CI [2.59–3.57]). Trichophyton mentagrophytes (81.86%) and Trichophyton soudanense (13.12%) were the majors isolated dermatophytes. The risk factors were mostly living in households with domestic animals, showering less than twice a day, having a history of ringworm, having similar lesions in the same household and sharing personal hygiene items. Conclusion: This study highlights the low prevalence of tinea capitis in schoolchildren in Lomé (Togo), the causative species dominated by T. mentagrophytes and emphasises the importance of environmental and behavioural factors in the mycosis transmission. Implementing preventive measures addressing the identified factors could help to reduce the prevalence of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) assesses ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents. The original United States norms comprise percentiles. Yet, no Nordic percentile norms exist, and only T-scores, which (often falsely) assume normally distributed data, are currently available. Here, we for the first time provide Danish percentile norms for children aged 6–9 based on parent/caregiver-reports, and illustrate the potential consequences of T-scores when derived based on the expected skewed distribution of an ADHD scale in the population. Materials and methods: The sample comprised 1895 Danish schoolchildren (879 girls and 1016 boys) in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade from the general population. Their parents/caregivers completed the ADHD-RS-IV. Sex and age differences were investigated, percentiles were derived based on the observed score distributions, and for comparison, T-scores > 70 were estimated, which are expected to identify the top 2.3% under the assumption of normality. Results: Boys were rated to have higher ADHD-RS-IV scores than girls except on the impulsivity score. No age effects were found on the majority of scores. Sex-stratified and unisex percentiles (80, 90, 93, 98) were reported. The distribution of ADHD-RS-IV scores were highly skewed. T-score cutoffs identified a significantly higher proportion of and about twice as many children as having elevated ADHD symptoms than expected (4.3–5.2% vs. 2.3%). Conclusions: ADHD-RS-IV (parent/caregiver-report) percentile norms for young Danish schoolchildren are now available for future reference. The use of percentiles is considered appropriate given the skewed score distribution and since T-scores appear to over-identify children as having clinically elevated ADHD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to identify the impacts of perceived stress, neglect, online and offline violence, and respect for human rights on depression. To fulfill the purpose of the study, the data of 6277 middle and high school students (M = 15.64, SD = 1.69) from the Survey on the Human Rights of Children and Youth (2018) were used. The main results of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis are as follows. First, gender and age had significant impacts on depression. Second, neglect, perceived stress, and online violence were positively related to depression, whereas offline violence showed no relationship with depression. Third, respect for human rights, which is the final stage of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, was negatively associated with depression. This study contributed to the research by verifying that perceived respect for human rights is a protective factor against depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Considering the previous research that suggested that screen time (ST), sleep duration, physical activity (PA), obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors are related, it is essential to identify how these variables are associated over time, to provide knowledge for the development of intervention strategies to promote health in pediatric populations. Also, there is a lack of studies examining these associations longitudinally. The aims of the present study were: (1) to investigate the longitudinal relationships between ST, sleep duration, leisure PA, body mass index (BMI), and cardiometabolic risk score (cMetS) in children and adolescents; and (2) to verify scores and prevalence of cMetS risk zones at baseline and follow-up. Methods: This observational longitudinal study included 331 children and adolescents (aged six to 17 years; girls = 57.7%) from schools in a southern city in Brazil. ST, sleep duration, and leisure PA were evaluated by a self-reported questionnaire. BMI was evaluated using the BMI z-scores (Z_BMI). The cMetS was determined by summing sex- and age-specific z-scores of total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, triglycerides, glucose, and systolic blood pressure and dividing it by four. A two-wave cross-lagged model was implemented. Results: ST, sleep duration, and leisure PA were not associated with cMetS after 2-years. However, it was observed that higher ST at baseline was associated with shorter sleep duration at follow-up (B=-0.074; 95%IC=-0.130; -0.012), while higher Z_BMI from baseline associated with higher cMetS of follow-up (B = 0.154; 95%CI = 0.083;0.226). The reciprocal model of relationships indicated that the variance of ST, sleep time, leisure PA, Z_BMI, and cMetS explained approximately 9%, 14%, 10%, 67% and 22%, respectively, of the model. Individual change scores and prevalence indicated that cMetS had individual changes from 2014 to 2016. Conclusion: Sleep duration, ST and leisure PA were not associated with cMetS after 2 years. ST showed an inverse association with sleep duration, and Z_BMI was positively associated with cMetS after a 2-year follow-up. Finally, the prevalence of no clustering of risk factors increased after two years. These findings suggest the need to promote healthy lifestyle habits from childhood and considering individual factors that can influence cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Video game addiction is a worldwide concern, particularly in schoolchildren where it has impact on academic, social, and emotional spheres. The objective of this study was to determine the sociodemographic factors associated with video game addiction in schoolchildren from the south-central region of Chile. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study that included a sample of 308 schoolchildren was performed. Sociodemographic factors were analyzed and levels of video game addiction was assessed using the Video Game Addiction Test (VAT) developed by Chóliz and Marco. A general linear regression model (ANCOVA) (α = 0.05) was applied (STATA v16). The prevalence of video game use was 82.7%, while addiction reached 10%. Risk factors associated with the increased risk of addiction were as follows: being male (β = 13.99; p < 0.001); being in the care of another relative (β = 11.1; p < 0.001); a higher number of people in the household (β = 11.2; p < 0.001); the caregiver in employment (β = 12.8; p < 0.001); and not performing extracurricular physical activity (β = 9.9; p < 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objectives Methods Results Conclusion This study aimed to comprehensively assess the weight status, snack consumption, and physical activity levels among primary schoolchildren, with a focus on both rural and urban areas.This cross‐sectional study surveyed 557 primary schoolchildren aged 6 to 12 years, covering general identification (age, gender), anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, waist, and hip circumference), food patterns (frequency of food consumption), and sports activities.Using CDC body mass index thresholds, we identified a 25% prevalence of obesity and over 17% for overweight, revealing a significant urban–rural disparity. In urban areas, boys had a higher obesity rate (32.58%), while girls had a higher overweight rate (15%). Conversely, in rural regions, girls had a higher obesity rate (24.82%), and boys had a higher overweight rate (22.3%). Dietary analysis showed that over 86% consumed three daily meals, but distinctions in snack choices, such as chips, wafers, and biscuits, were noted between urban and rural areas. Additionally, urban schoolchildren were more likely to participate in sports activities compared to their rural counterparts, with rates of 70.22% versus 55.08%, respectively.Findings provide valuable insights into the health and food behaviors of primary schoolchildren and can inform interventions and strategies to promote healthier lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compulsory secondary education is constituted as a stage of high risk or academic vulnerability for the immigrant population. This multiple case study examines difficulties and opportunities faced by seventeen immigrant schoolchildren in compulsory schooling education cycles as elucidated by the evaluative resources they employ as they construct a narrative discourse shaped by academic-professional transitions and expectations. Specifically, we focus on the semantic-discursive component of attitude, analysing its three levels of appraisal: affect, judgement, and appreciation. We conducted in-depth interviews with immigrants attending public high school in Chile and a collective participatory methodology, both of a biographical-narrative nature. The findings highlight the influence of various influential factors on student trajectories: the characteristics of the host country, the challenges posed by the pandemic, family support, racism, the role of teachers, and academic-professional aspirations. Regarding the obstacles, racist bullying is identified between the end of primary school and the beginning of secondary school, which coincides with the results of the literature reviewed. Regarding opportunities, the influential adult figure represented by parents and teachers is positioned as a decisive protective support in the development and progress of educational transitions. Similarly, the configuration of high academic-professional expectations functions as a predictor of educational success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The psychological benefits of cycling have been identified such as the maintenance of low-stress levels. However, no studies have been found addressing the benefits of cycling on variables such as emotional intelligence (EI) and motivational climate (MC), which are important for holistic development in children. This study aimed to investigate the interrelationships between MC, EI, and cycling habits in schoolchildren. (2) Methods: A descriptive, comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 347 Spanish schoolchildren (46.4% boys; 53.6% girls; Mage = 10.55, S.D. = 0.97). A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24), and the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2) were applied for data collection. (3) Results: Boys use bicycles more frequently than girls; task-oriented motivational climate (TC) is observed in girls and schoolchildren with moderate cycling habits; ego-involving motivational climate (EC) prevails in boys and students who cycle more than four times per week; no statistical association was found between EI and cycling use habits; and EI and its dimensions correlate with TC and some categories of EC. (4) Conclusions: Moderate cycling habits are linked to a task-oriented MC and have slightly higher scores on general EI and its dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent research suggested fluent processing as an explanation on why number sense contributes to simple arithmetic tasks—'Fluency hypothesis'. Aims: The current study investigates whether number sense contributes to such arithmetic tasks when other cognitive factors are controlled for (including those that mediate the link); and whether this contribution varies as a function of participants' individual maths fluency levels. Sample: Four hundred and thirty‐seven Chinese schoolchildren (186 females; Mage = 83.49 months) completed a range of cognitive measures in Grade 1 (no previous classroom training) and in Grade 2 (a year later). Methods: Number sense, arithmetic (addition and subtraction), spatial ability, visuo‐spatial working memory, perception, reaction time, character reading and general intelligence were measured. Results: Our data showed that the link between number sense and arithmetic was weaker in Grade 1 (Beta =.15 for addition and.06 (ns) for subtraction) compared to Grade 2 (.23–.28), but still persisted in children with no previous maths training. Further, math's performance in Grade 1 did not affect the link between number sense and maths performance in Grade 2. Conclusion: Our data extended previous findings by showing that number sense is linked with simple maths task performance even after controlling for multiple cognitive factors. Our results brought some evidence that number sense‐arithmetic link is somewhat sensitive to previous formal maths education. Further research is needed, as the differences in effects between grades were quite small, and arithmetic in Grade 1 did not moderate the link at question in Grade 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The academic success of children contributes to their income, social status, and public health. This study was conducted with 217 elementary school students from western China. Scores on the Chinese Children Dietary Index (CCDI), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), adjusted DASH, and KIDMED index were calculated to evaluate diet quality. Eating behavior and sleep quality were assessed using the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) and Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CHSQ), respectively. Academic achievement was measured using school-provided average grades. Higher CCDI scores, longer sleep time, lower total CHSQ scores, and lower subscores on "satiety responsiveness," "slowness in eating," "emotional undereating," and "food fussiness" dimensions of the CEBQ were associated with high academic achievement. In conclusion, good diet quality, sleep quality, healthy eating behaviors, and adequate sleep duration were associated with better academic performance. Interventions are recommended to be developed in education system to improve healthy diets and lifestyles, enhancing academic achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology is the property of Editorial of the University of Almeria (Spain) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of, and relationship between, bullying and malocclusion in schoolchildren aged 10–14 years in the South East of the UK. Design: Cross-sectional cohort study. Setting: Sixteen primary and secondary schools in South East of the UK. Participants: Schoolchildren aged 10–14 years who were consented to participate. Methods: The prevalence and nature of bullying were measured using a questionnaire. Traits of malocclusion and the need for orthodontic treatment were assessed by clinical examination and determined by the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) Dental Health (DHC) and Aesthetic components (AC). Results: Complete data were collected for 698 participants. The number defined as being bullied was 68 (9.7%). There was no difference in the prevalence of bullying between gender, ethnicity or age. Higher rates of bullying were reported in mixed sex schools (P = 0.03). Participants with an increased overjet (P = 0.02) and/or a greater need for treatment, as measured by IOTN DHC (P = 0.01) and AC (P = 0.01), reported higher rates of bullying. While there was no difference in the overall prevalence of bullying between genders, boys were more likely than girls to experience physical bullying (P <0.001) and being called names (P = 0.03) Conclusion: A significant relationship was evident between being bullied and certain traits of malocclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of bullying among schoolchildren and to study the correlation between bullying and a specific type of malocclusion, self-esteem, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), the need for orthodontic treatment and socioeconomic status. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Low, middle and high socioeconomic group schools in the same educational district in Cairo, Egypt. Participants: A total of 324 Egyptian schoolchildren aged 11–14 years. Methods: Validated questionnaires were used to assess self-reported bullying frequency and intensity, self-esteem and OHRQoL. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) was used to assess the orthodontic treatment need and the participants' occlusion was classified according to the British Standard Incisors (BSI) classification. Results: Bullying was found to be prevalent in 61.7% of the sample. Regression analysis revealed that participants with a Class II division 1 incisor relationship had the highest odds ratio (OR) for predicting bullying (OR = 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38–2.15). Being bullied was significantly associated with lower self-esteem (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.13–0.78), worse OHRQoL (OR = 2.73, 95% CI = 1.95–3.15) and a high need for orthodontic treatment, as determined by the IOTN Dental Health Component score (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.05–1.95) and IOTN Aesthetic Component score (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.12–1.88). Moreover, participants in high and middle socioeconomic groups had a lower OR for predicting bullying than those in the low socioeconomic group (OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.13–0.54). Conclusion: The bullying prevalence among Egyptian schoolchildren aged 11–14 years was very high. The prevalence of bullying was higher in schoolchildren with higher orthodontic treatment need and Class II division 1 incisor relationship. Bullying was correlated to poor self-esteem as well as poor OHRQoL. In addition, low socioeconomic status was found to be a potential predictor for bullying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yazan Gammoh,1 Bruce D Moore2 1Department of Optometry Science, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan; 2Department of Pediatric Studies, New England College of Optometry, Boston, MA, USACorrespondence: Yazan Gammoh, Department of Optometry Science, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, P.O. Box 121, Amman, 19328, Jordan, Email y.gammoh@ammanu.edu.joPurpose: To evaluate the accuracy of vision screening and detection of ocular abnormalities conducted by teachers in school children in Jordan compared with vision testing by optometrists and ocular disease identification by ophthalmologists.Methods: A non-random, purposive sampling strategy where 6-year-old and 15-year-old school children from three schools in Amman, Jordan were included. Twenty-two teachers were trained to conduct visual acuity screening using the 0.2 logMAR line of the distance visual acuity (DVA) chart at 10 feet and near visual acuity (NVA) chart at 16 inches, in addition to detecting ocular abnormalities. An optometrist assessed the visual acuity and conducted objective and subjective refraction, while an ophthalmologist examined the ocular health of all children.Results: A total of 542 children (51% female) were included in the study, of which 47% were 6 years old and 53% were 15 years old. Teacher screening had sensitivities of 76.92% for DVA, 68% for NVA, and 37.50% for abnormality detection. The specificities of DVA, NVA, and ocular abnormalities were 98.22%, 98.48%, and 99.24%, respectively. The positive predictive value for DVA, NVA, and ocular abnormalities were 83.33%, 99.00%, and 60%, respectively. The negative predictive value for each procedure was 98.22% for DVA, 98.48% for NVA, and 98.12% for ocular abnormalities.Conclusion: Teachers were able to conduct vision screening with a high level of accuracy compared to the gold standard of testing by optometrists, which would be useful for the early detection and referral of refractive errors in school children. However, they were unable to detect ocular abnormalities compared with the gold standard for disease identification by ophthalmologists. Further training and monitoring, or different training approaches should be implemented to enable teachers to identify ocular abnormalities at acceptable levels.Keywords: teachers, refractive error, school children, eye disorders, Jordan

Myopia is a huge health problem due to its high frequency, vision losses and public health cost. According to the World Health Organization, at least 2.2 billion people have vision impairment. Although myopia can be controlled at its early and middle stages, unfortunately, no cure can be achieved so far. Among the methods to control myopia, atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, is the oldest but still the most effective for retardation of myopia progression. Despite such a fact, standard protocols have not been established for clinicians to use atropine for treatment of myopia. In this article, a concise and up to date summary of myopia epidemiology and pathogenesis and summarized therapeutic effects and side effects, possible mechanisms and application methods of atropine were provided in hope for clinical doctors to effectively control this problematic disease. At present, the protocol is recommend: use higher dose (1%) of atropine intermittently to effectively slowdown myopia progression in schoolchildren for 2y, and to significantly reduce side effects of atropine by decrease of atropine frequency for 1y and inhibit myopic rebound by withdrawal of topical atropine gradually for 1y. Application of a lower dose (0.05%) atropine regime should also be considered due to its effectiveness and application at regular basis.

Abstract Background Malocclusion is one of the three major oral diseases and may cause deterioration in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This study aims to determine the prevalence of malocclusion by gender and its impact on quality of life among 12- and 15-year-old children in Shanghai. Methods This study summarizes the data obtained in the Shanghai Oral Health Epidemiological Survey conducted in 2019. Random cluster sampling was used to select students in Shanghai. A total of 1591 12-year-old children and 747 15-year-old children were included. Each student underwent an oral examination and completed a questionnaire. The Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON) was adopted to measure the objective severity of malocclusion and Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP) was applied to evaluate quality of life of schoolchildren. Comparisons of COHIP scores were performed among different treatment needs and difficulties by t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results No significant difference was found between genders except that the prevalence of deep overbite in 12-year-old boys (1.11 ± 0.95) was significantly higher than that in girls (0.93 ± 0.88) while the prevalence of crossbite among 12-year-old girls (26%) is significantly higher than boys (20%). Malocclusion in 15-year-old children was descended compared with 12-year-old. 15-year-old students demonstrates larger impact of malocclusion on oral health than 12-year-old group except self-image. Health impacts (COHIP) increase significantly as the malocclusion becomes severer except self-image in 12-year-old group. Conclusions In Shanghai, the severity of malocclusion in 15-year-old children was less than 12-year-old children. Malocclusion has greater influence on oral health of 15-year-old children than 12-year-old children. Severer malocclusion generally correlates with higher level of oral health impacts in schoolchildren.

Abstract Background The present study investigated the effect of time of day (08h00 vs. 11h00 vs. 14h00 vs. 17h00) and sex (girls vs. boys) on physical (i.e., five jump test (5JT), push-ball test and 5 m shuttle run test (5mSRT)), cognitive (i.e., attention) and mental (i.e., mental flexibility) performances. Methods Thirty schoolchildren, equally divided in girls (n = 15; age: 9.60 ± 0.51 years) and boys (n = 15; age: 9.40 ± 0.51 years) performed the digit cancellation test, the trail making test, the 5JT, the 2 kg push-ball test and the 5mSRT in a counterbalanced and cross over study design at 08h00, 11h00, 14h00 and 17h00 with 48 h of rest in between. Additionally, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was determined after each repetition of the 5mSRT and the average of the score (i.e., sum of RPE scores divided by 6) was determined. Results Results showed that RPE at the end of the test was significantly higher at 11h00 compared to 08h00 (p = 0.02) and 14h00 (p = 0.001) and average RPE was higher at 11h00 compared to 08h00 (p = 0.001). Likewise, attention was significantly higher at 08h00 compared to 17h00 (p = 0.001) before and after the 5mSRT test only in girls. However, 5JT performance was significantly lower at 17h00, both in girls and boys, compared to at 08h00 (p = 0.02 and p = 0.001 respectively), 11h00 (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001 respectively) and 14h00 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001 respectively). However, push-ball (p = 0.086) and 5mSRT performances [best distance (p = 0.173), total distance (p = 0.306), mean distance (p = 0.29), fatigue index (p = 0.06)] were time of day independent. Mental flexibility was significantly higher at 08h00, 11h00 and 14h00 compared to 17h00 (p = 0.001). Conclusion Mental flexibility, attention and jump performances were time of day dependent and push-ball test and 5mSRT performances did not change according to the time of day. Also, no clear sex effect was found on the diurnal variation of mental, cognitive and physical performances.

Abstract Background Considering the previous research that suggested that screen time (ST), sleep duration, physical activity (PA), obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors are related, it is essential to identify how these variables are associated over time, to provide knowledge for the development of intervention strategies to promote health in pediatric populations. Also, there is a lack of studies examining these associations longitudinally. The aims of the present study were: (1) to investigate the longitudinal relationships between ST, sleep duration, leisure PA, body mass index (BMI), and cardiometabolic risk score (cMetS) in children and adolescents; and (2) to verify scores and prevalence of cMetS risk zones at baseline and follow-up. Methods This observational longitudinal study included 331 children and adolescents (aged six to 17 years; girls = 57.7%) from schools in a southern city in Brazil. ST, sleep duration, and leisure PA were evaluated by a self-reported questionnaire. BMI was evaluated using the BMI z-scores (Z_BMI). The cMetS was determined by summing sex- and age-specific z-scores of total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, triglycerides, glucose, and systolic blood pressure and dividing it by four. A two-wave cross-lagged model was implemented. Results ST, sleep duration, and leisure PA were not associated with cMetS after 2-years. However, it was observed that higher ST at baseline was associated with shorter sleep duration at follow-up (B=-0.074; 95%IC=-0.130; -0.012), while higher Z_BMI from baseline associated with higher cMetS of follow-up (B = 0.154; 95%CI = 0.083;0.226). The reciprocal model of relationships indicated that the variance of ST, sleep time, leisure PA, Z_BMI, and cMetS explained approximately 9%, 14%, 10%, 67% and 22%, respectively, of the model. Individual change scores and prevalence indicated that cMetS had individual changes from 2014 to 2016. Conclusion Sleep duration, ST and leisure PA were not associated with cMetS after 2 years. ST showed an inverse association with sleep duration, and Z_BMI was positively associated with cMetS after a 2-year follow-up. Finally, the prevalence of no clustering of risk factors increased after two years. These findings suggest the need to promote healthy lifestyle habits from childhood and considering individual factors that can influence cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents.

Abstract Background Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus, GAS) is a significant pathogen that causes diverse infections, ranging from pharyngitis to severe invasive diseases. Asymptomatic carriage in children is pivotal for transmission. The COVID-19 pandemic’s health measures, including mask wearing and enhanced hand hygiene, likely influenced GAS transmission dynamics. This study evaluated the impact of these precautions on the prevalence of asymptomatic pharyngeal GAS carriage among schoolchildren in the southern West Bank, Palestine. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in two phases: pre-COVID-19 (November 2019–January 2020) and post-COVID-19 (November 2023–April 2024). Throat swabs were collected from 701 children (345 pre-COVID-19, 356 post-COVID-19) via cluster sampling. The samples were tested with the ABON Strep A rapid test and confirmed by culture. Sociodemographic, health, and household data were also collected. The statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression. Results The prevalence of asymptomatic pharyngeal GAS carriage declined from 15.7% pre-COVID-19 to 10.4% post-COVID-19 (p = 0.038). Significant reductions were observed among urban residents (23.5–10.1%, p = 0.003) and those from medium socioeconomic backgrounds (16.0–9.1%, p = 0.008). Compared with urban residents, rural residents had lower GAS carriage rates (adjusted OR = 0.505, p = 0.023). Carriage rates also decreased among children with frequent sore throats (17.6–7.3%, p = 0.007) and those using private wells (52.5–14.9%, p

Abstract Background This study aims to verify the relationship between screen and sleep time, body mass index (BMI) and immunological factors with telomere length according to leisure-time physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional study involving a sample of 476 schoolchildren of both sexes, aged seven to 17 years, from a community in southern Brazil. Behavioral variables (PA, sleep time, and screen time) were self-reported using a questionnaire. PA was classified as inactive and any PA (doing some physical activity). The associations of screen time, sleep time, BMI, and immunologic factors with telomere length were tested using multiple linear regression models, with the sample divided according to the schoolchildren’s leisure-time physical activity practices. Results An inverse association between BMI and telomere length (β: -0.239; 95% CI: -0.468; -0.010) and a direct association of leukocytes (β: 0.151; 95% CI: 0.029; 0.278) and neutrophils (β: 0.131; 95% CI: 0.008; 0.254) with telomeres were found in the inactive students. No association was found between screen time and sleep time and telomeres. No association was found among students who engaged in any PA. Conclusion The associations between telomeres, BMI, and immunologic factors were found only in inactive students. These results suggest that the association between BMI and immunological factors and telomere length may be influenced by physical activity.

Background: Physical education (PE) classes in schools are considered relevant to implement interventions, especially focused on physical activity. However, evidence overviews on how PE classes contribute to general health (physical, social, affective, and cognitive domains) are still needed. Thus, we summarized evidence synthesis (eg, systematic reviews) that addressed the contribution of PE classes to the health of school-aged children and adolescents. Methods: We performed a scoping review with searches in 8 databases and institutional websites to find systematic reviews or meta-analyses that answered this review's research question. Data charting form included the identification of the study, health outcomes, and PE classes' strategies (policies and environment, curriculum, appropriate instructions, and evaluation). An interactive process was performed to build the evidence summary. Results: An initial search yielded 2264 titles, and 49 systematic reviews (including 11 with meta-analysis) were included in this review. Most documents reported the main benefits of PE classes on physical domain outcomes (eg, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index, and fundamental motor skills). However, evidence on the benefits of PE classes in affective (eg, enjoyment, motivation, and autonomy); social (eg, cooperation, problem-solving, and making friends); and cognitive (eg, memory, attention, concentration, and decision making) domains were found. Strategies on PE classes for health benefits were highlighted. Conclusions: These elements were detailed in the evidence summary, which may be considered to guide researchers, teachers, and practitioners to define research and practice priorities on PE class interventions for health in the school context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic led to school closures, potentially impairing children's behaviours and health. We aimed to explore the effects of school closure on lifestyle behaviours (dietary habits, physical activity) and health outcomes (adiposity, fitness, self‐esteem, self‐concept) in children. Methods: We measured 247 children before school closure (October–November 2019) and after school reopening (October–November 2021) (COVID‐19 group). To distinguish the changes due to school closure from changes due to growth, we included 655 age‐matched children with cross‐sectional measurements in October–November 2019 (control group). The response of this group (i.e., differences between children with 2 years of difference) was considered the expected response to growth. Two‐way ANOVA was used to test age‐by‐group interactions, indicating an effect of school closure. Results: In 7‐to‐9‐year‐old children, the COVID‐19 group had larger‐than‐expected decreases in physical activity (by 0.4 points), resulting in higher physical inactivity prevalence (by 19 percent points) at 9 years. This was accompanied by larger‐than‐expected increases in fat percentage (by 6.1 percent point). In 8‐to‐10‐year‐old children, the COVID‐19 group had higher physical inactivity prevalence at 10 years (by 20 percent points). This was accompanied by larger‐than‐expected increases in fat percentage (by 8.3 percent points), z‐score BMI (by 0.90 units), and waist circumference (by 6.1 cm). In 9‐to‐11‐year‐old children, the COVID‐19 group had larger‐than‐expected decreases in physical activity (by 0.3 points) and increases in self‐concept (by 0.2 points). The response in dietary habits, fitness, or self‐esteem was not different between groups. Conclusion: Overall, school closure negatively impacted physical activity and adiposity, particularly in the youngest children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jordan continues to be one of the leading host countries globally, accommodating an unprecedented number of refugee schoolchildren in its schools in refugee camps. In order to address the diverse educational, psychological, and social needs of these children, school counselors (SCs) strive to develop and implement comprehensive counseling programs. This qualitative study aimed to examine the specific supervisory needs encountered by SCs working in primary schools within the Al Za'atari refugee camp. Through the utilization of interpretive phenomenological analysis, researchers interviewed 10 school counselors to explore the supervisory needs of school counselors in Al Za'atari. Five main supervisory themes were found: specialized interventions for the refugee schoolchildren, multicultural challenges, the dynamics of the counseling relationship, diagnosis of childhood psychological disorders, and self-care and anti-burnout interventions. The findings provided valuable insights for supporting SCs in refugee camp by continues training, supervision, and suggested potential directions for future research in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyze the factors influencing myopia and construct a nomogram to forecast the risk of myopia among school-age children, providing a reference for identifying high-risk groups to aid prevention and control. Methods: This case-control study enrolled 3512 students from three primary schools in Shenzhen using random cluster sampling for a questionnaire survey, myopia screening and ocular biometric parameter measurement. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of myopia, and a nomogram was constructed to forecast myopia risk. Bootstrap resampling was used to verify the practicability of the nomogram. Results: Older age (odds ratio[OR]=1.164; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.111-1.219), female sex (OR = 2.405; 95% CI: 2.003-2.887), maternal myopia (OR = 1.331; 95% CI: 1.114-1.589), incorrect posture during reading and writing (OR = 1.283; 95% CI: 1.078-1.528) and axial length (OR = 7.708; 95% CI: 6.044-8.288) are risk factors for myopia, whereas an increase in corneal radius (OR = 0.036; 95% CI: 0.025-0.052) is a protective factor against myopia. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the nomogram was 0.857, and the net benefit was high when the risk threshold of the decision curve analyses (DCA) ranged from 0.20 to 1.00. The measured values were consistent with the prediction. Conclusion: The nomogram was accurate in predicting the risk of myopia among schoolchildren. This study provides a reference for screening high-risk students and for individualized myopia prevention and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Dental caries is a global oral health issue, especially critical in children, affecting their growth, nutrition, and education due to school absences or distractions from dental pain. The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between school types (indicative of socioeconomic conditions) and dental caries prevalence among primary school children in Riyadh, alongside assessing the overall caries prevalence among schoolchildren in Riyadh. Retrospective study on 28,343 first and fourth-grade students from 960 public and private schools in Riyadh, using data from the Saudi Ministry of Health (Feb-April 2019). Utilized the DMFT/dmft index for assessment and collected demographic data. Most of the schools were public (76.1%), private national (17.1%), and private international (6.8%). Overall, the mean DMFT index for permanent teeth and the dmft index for primary teeth were 1.78 and 1.94, respectively. 58% of school children had no dental caries, 25% had mild caries, and 17% had moderate to severe caries. Public school children showed a higher caries prevalence than private schools. Oral disease rates were higher in girls than in boys, and grade four students had a higher prevalence than grade one students. Saudi Arabia, a developing nation, faces challenges in addressing oral health, especially in public schools. Targeted initiatives are crucial for awareness, preventive measures, and meeting oral health needs.

Background. Bone tissue is actively exposed to environmental factors and lifestyle. Since the bone mass accumulated in childhood will determine the state of the skeleton during a person’s subsequent life, it is necessary to promote its maximum increase. Sufficient nutrition is one of the main factors in maintaining bone health. The purpose of our study was to determine the level of daily basic nutrient intake among schoolchildren and to reveal its relationship with clinical disorders of the musculoske­letal system. Materials and methods. Using a computer program, we assessed the actual diet of 65 schoolchildren aged from 8 to 17 years. Results. It was found that 90 % of children were deficient in iodine and calcium, and more than 70 % were deficient in zinc and selenium. The deficiency of potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, fluorine, manganese, and phosphorus was less pronounced. A significant deficiency of vitamin D, β-carotene, vitamin A, biotin, and vitamin E was noted. In almost half of the examined children, the share of saturated fatty acids in the diet exceeds the recommended norm, while the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids is significantly reduced. In 93.8 % of schoolchildren, the nutritional ratio between calcium and phosphorus is disturbed. Conclusions. The obtained results testify to the unbalanced diet of schoolchildren and inconsistency with physiological needs. Deficiency of a number of nutrients can contribute to musculoskeletal pain, convulsive syndrome, fractures, caries and recurrent respiratory di­sease.

Background. The relevance of the study is due to the need for investigating the professional development of senior schoolchildren and students under the conditions of increasing influence of stress factors. Objectives. The study set the purpose to review and analyze modern scientific ideas on the problem of psychological resources of professional self-determination in students under stress. Methods. Search for and analysis of recent theoretical and empirical research publications was carried out. Abstraction, and generalization of obtained data relevant to the topic of the article were applied. Methods also included identification of theoretical foundations and promising directions for research into the problem of psychological resources of professional self-determination of students under stress. Results. Analysis of the recent publications allowed to reveal conceptual differences in understanding the phenomenon of professional self-determination of the individual. It identified a variety of approaches to the study of human professional behaviour. The authors highlighted and characterized the main directions of modern research on the topic discussed, indicating the demand for studying human professional behaviour in the changing conditions of life. The study systematized theoretical foundations and empirical data on the psychological resources for students’ professional self-determination and for overcoming life stress. Conclusions. The study revealed the potential of a resource-based approach to the study of the stress influence on the professional self-determination of students and substantiated the role of conscious self-regulation resources in choosing and mastering a profession.

Our aim was to assess the level and socio-demographic correlates of the ability to maintain health among children in Albania, a post-communist country in the Western Balkans.

Abstract Background This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic features among schoolchildren in the West Bank, Palestine. Methods A stratified cluster sample of 1278 schoolchildren (620 males, 658 females, mean age 12 years and 5 months (± 0.5)) were examined. Candidates who had not received any previous orthodontic treatment were only included. Dental anomalies like missing and ectopic teeth were recorded. The anteroposterior occlusal relationship was assessed based on Angle classification. Overjet and overbite were measured. Crowding and spacing were recorded subjectively. In addition, crossbite, openbite, and midline displacement were recorded. The chi-square test and descriptive analysis were used statistically. Results The study found Angle Class I molar relationship in 65%, Class II div 1 in 17%, Class II div 2 in 6%, and Class III in 12% of the sample. An overjet (OJ) of more than 4 mm was present in 17%, and 4% had OJ of more than 6 mm; an OJ of at least 0 mm or less in 36%, and 6% had a reverse OJ. A normal overbite was observed in 53%, while 28% had an increase and 19% had a decreased overbite. An anterior openbite (AOB) was present in 9%, and a scissor bite or anterior crossbite in 6% and 14%, respectively. A posterior crossbite was observed in 12% (9% unilateral and 3% bilateral). Midline displacement was found in (9%). Crowding was observed in 35% and 31% and spacing in 24% and 15% of the maxillary and mandibular arches, respectively. A statistically significant relationship between gender and midline shift, a diastema, spacing in the upper arch, and most dental anomalies was found; males were more affected (p

The morphology of the Azerbaijani language has a wide range, so the question arises about the introduction of grammatical and lexical system of language rules. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to update the means of teaching junior high school students the rules of the language in Azerbaijani language lessons. The article is designed to reveal the features of grammatical and lexical structure and a comprehensive study of the language norms of the Azerbaijani language for elementary school students. The article aimed to describe grammatical and lexical features and their expression during students’ integrative learning of language rules. For this, the research used the methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, deduction, generalisation, and a pedagogical experiment. The deductive method played a crucial role in this study, revealing unique aspects of the child’s lexical and grammatical mastery. This was achieved by using common knowledge related to education and language capabilities. Deduction was important for the formulation of distinctive features and characteristics that should be taken into account by teachers when teaching the Azerbaijani language. In addition, the article uses the method of generalization to prepare exercises for schoolchildren from a wide range of educational subjects. This approach involved incorporating the theoretical ideas explored in the study into the content of the exercise. The aim was not only to introduce these concepts but also to reinforce their understanding of the tasks, thus assessing the degree of students’ understanding and mastery. This approach enriches the educational process, ensuring the effective implementation of theoretical knowledge in practical learning experience. As a result of the work, it was established that the comprehensive study of language rules from morphology involved increasing the level of student’s knowledge, namely their conscious understanding of words in the process of speaking. Therefore, the main areas of the formation of speaking abilities and skills of younger schoolchildren are revealed. The article proves that this process is closely related to the increase in vocabulary, which, in turn, is an indicator of the richness of the language. The study presents a structured approach to teaching Azerbaijani language to junior high school students, focusing on morphological analysis, suffix exercises, and the interrelation of grammatical and lexical features. It emphasizes integrating these aspects to enhance students’ understanding and use of language. Key findings demonstrate the effectiveness of this integrative method in improving vocabulary, speech culture, and overall linguistic competence.

Background: This study explores the intricate link between vigorous physical activity and academic achievement in adolescents. By analyzing data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, it seeks to understand how engaging in high-intensity physical activities influences academic achievement. Methods: A comprehensive cross-sectional analysis was conducted on a vast dataset comprising 214,808 adolescents aged 11, 13, and 15 years. The frequency of vigorous physical activity was determined through self-reports, while academic achievement was assessed based on students' selfperceptions, reflecting their understanding of teachers' evaluations of their academic performance. Results: Adolescents who reported engaging in vigorous physical activity daily were more likely to report higher academic achievement. This positive correlation was consistent across various demographic groups, including different age cohorts and both genders, indicating a universal benefit of regular vigorous physical activity on perceived academic success. Conclusion: The findings of this study underscore the significant role that regular vigorous physical activity plays in the academic lives of adolescents. The correlation between daily vigorous physical activity and enhanced selfreported academic achievement suggests that encouraging high-intensity physical activities in schools could be a key strategy in boosting educational outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their high nutritional value, milk and dairy products should be a permanent element of a properly balanced diet for children and adolescents. The study aimed to identify (i) the frequency of milk and dairy product consumption by children aged 10–12 years in the opinion of children and their parents and (ii) the determinants related to the consumption of these products (including lifestyle, nutrition knowledge, and the nutritional status of children's as well as parents' nutrition knowledge). A cross-sectional study was conducted with 12,643 primary school students aged 10–12 and 7363 parents. Dietary data were collected using the Food Frequency Consumption and Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire (SF-FFQ4PolishChildren® and KomPAN®). Anthropometric measurements were taken and body mass index (BMI) and waist/height ratios (WHtR) were calculated. A logistic regression model was used to assess the likelihood of the frequent consumption of dairy products in the opinion of both the children and their parents, and the quality of the obtained models was assessed using model fit statistics and the Hosmer and Lemeshow test. The frequency of consuming milk and milk products (every day and more) was low in the opinion of children aged 10–12 years (29.6%). According to their parents, the frequency of the consumption of dairy products was slightly higher (44.8%). Six factors associated with the frequency of milk and dairy product consumption were identified independently. These included schoolchildren and their parents' nutrition knowledge, physical activity, sleep, gender, and place of residence. More of these products were consumed by children with greater nutrition knowledge—both their own and their parents'—higher physical activity, longer sleep duration, males, and those living in the city. Family eating habits, particularly eating meals together, also played an important role in the consumption of milk and dairy products. According to the parents, the children in older grades were less likely to consume dairy products more frequently. The obtained results suggest an insufficient consumption of milk and dairy products. The identification of modifiable factors, such as nutrition knowledge, physical activity, sleep duration, and eating meals with the family, suggests the need to improve the existing strategies, including activities encouraging nutritional education for both schoolchildren and their parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the lack of physical activity can lead to health problems, with the increase in obesity in children between 8 and 18 years old being of particular interest because it is a formative stage. One of the aspects of trying to solve this problem is the need for a standardized, less subjective, and more efficient method of evaluating physical condition in these children compared to traditional approaches. Objective: Develop a multiplatform based on computer vision technology that allows the evaluation of the physical fitness of schoolchildren using smartphones. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on schoolchildren aged 8 to 18 years of both sexes. The sample was 228 schoolchildren (128 boys and 108 girls). Anthropometric measurements of weight, height, and waist circumference were evaluated. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Four physical tests were evaluated: flexibility (sit and reach), horizontal jump (explosive strength), biceps curl (right arm strength resistance), and sit-ups (abdominal muscle resistance). With the information collected traditionally and by filming the physical tests, a computer vision system was developed to evaluate physical fitness in schoolchildren. Results: The implemented system obtained an acceptable level of precision, reaching 94% precision in field evaluations and a percentage greater than 95% in laboratory evaluations for testing. The developed mobile application also obtained a high accuracy percentage, greater than 95% in two tests and close to 85% in the remaining two. Finally, the Systematic Software Quality Model was used to determine user satisfaction with the presented prototype. Regarding usability, a satisfaction level of 97% and a reliability level of 100% was obtained. Conclusion: Compared to traditional evaluation and computer vision, the proposal was satisfactorily validated. These results were obtained using the Expanded Systematic Software Quality Model, which reached an "advanced" quality level, satisfying functionality, usability, and reliability characteristics. This advance demonstrates that the integration of computer vision is feasible, highly effective in the educational context, and applicable in the evaluations of physical education classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extending the access to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to a wider public is an important step in increasing survivability of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, often price and maintenance of CPR manikins are barriers that prevent training at schools. This study aims to evaluate the learning of hands-only (HO) CPR by practicing with a low-cost manikin (LoCoMan) with visual qualitative feedback and to compare the results with the skills acquired by practice on a conventional manikin. A quasi-experimental study with 193 schoolchildren (10 to 12 years old) who were allocated to two groups: the LoCoMan group was taught via an integrative approach (science combined with physical education (PE)) and practiced on a handmade manikin, and a control group practiced in a traditional setting with a commercial manikin (Resusci Junior, Laerdal, Norway). All participants practiced for 1 hands-on skill session before performing a post-test on an instrumented CPR manikin. The outcomes including HO-CPR performance variables were compared between groups. The LoCoMan and control groups both achieved acceptable percentage of HO-CPR quality (57% and 71%, p = 0.004). Among 6th-graders, there were no significant differences in HO-CPR quality between LoCoMan 68% and control 71%, p = 0.66. The control group achieved better chest compression depth while the LoCoMan group showed more compressions with adequate chest recoil. Conclusion: Schoolchildren are able to build and use a low-cost manikin with visual feedback. The integrative learning approach used in this study may be a feasible alternative methodology for training and learning HO-CPR in schools when commercial manikins are not available. What is Known: • Access to CPR training should be universal and independent of age, location, financial means, or access to qualified instructors. • Scientific societies promote the implementation of CPR in schools, so that teachers and schoolchildren can play a multiplier role in their environment, but the gap in CPR learning is related to cultural, economic factors or access to resources and materials. What is New: • LoCoMan may be a useful device for teaching and learning CPR in schoolchildren from the age of 10 and upwards. • LOCOMAN shows that it is feasible and possible to build a low-cost manikin (about €5 in the European Region) and to integrate it into an integrative educational project, and outlines how this could be done. this approach can be an incentive for teachers to attempt teaching CPR, but also for education outside the formal environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]