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Assessed the prevalence of dieting, investigating clusters of risk behaviors among adolescents. Data from the 1999 South Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicated that weight control behaviors related to several other important health behaviors. Differences existed between adolescents who used extreme weight loss measures and moderate dieters or non-dieters. Extreme dieters were more likely to use substances and to attempt suicide and less likely to practice vigorous exercise. (SM)

The nutritional intake, weight status, and dietary practices of college (N=630) students were assessed. The majority did not consume recommended servings of foods each day. Findings that African Americans skip meals and consume fast foods may contribute to the greater amount of weight gain for females since returning to school. Presents recommendations for development of culturally appropriate health programs. (JDM)

Examined the impact of behavioral, personal, and environmental factors on fourth graders' dietary practices, using a social cognitive theory framework. Survey results highlighted social cognitive variables that significantly influenced dietary behaviors: gender, race, socioeconomic status, fruit and vegetable availability at home, nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy for selecting low-fat foods, long-term belief in diet and health, and meal preparation involvement. (SM)

Investigated relationships between physical activity and athletic participation and body-size perceptions, diet, and weight-control practice among high school students, noting racial and gender differences. Surveys indicated that diet quality improved and weight-loss attempts increased as physical activity and athletic participation increased. Racial and gender differences were evident. (SM)

This study evaluated the impact of a required college health and physical education course on selected health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of alumni. Mailed surveys of alumni from two colleges (one with a required course and one with no required course) indicated that the course had a positive effect on health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. (SM)

Objective: To explore demographic differences in individual, social, and environmental factors potentially related to fruit and vegetable intake. Design: Self-report questionnaires administered to a convenience sample of middle school students during regular classes. Participants: Black and white adolescents, 11 to 15 years of age (N = 736). Variables Measured: Measures included self-efficacy, family dinner frequency, normative beliefs, outcome expectations, modeling, availability, preferences, snack choice, and demographics. Analysis: Chi-square, general linear models, and Poisson and linear regressions as appropriate. Results: Black participants reported greater social influences than did white participants, whereas white adolescents reported greater family environmental influences on fruit aim vegetable intake. The oldest adolescents reported lower self-efficacy, peer modeling, family dinner frequency, and fruit and vegetable preferences compared with younger adolescents. White participants and females reported a higher preference for vegetables than did black participants and males. Regression models for self-efficacy and snack choice explained 41% and 34% of the variance, respectively. Preferences for vegetables and parental modeling were the strongest correlates of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy was the strongest correlate of snack choice. Conclusions and Implications: Decreases in several factors with age highlight the importance of intervention for this age group. Future research is needed for a better trader standing of the formation and modification of self-efficacy and snack choice. KEY WORDS: adolescent, fruit, vegetable, self-efficacy

A survey of 817 children in the fourth grade was conducted to find out whether there exists a relationship between body size perception and ethnic as well as gender differences. It has been previously established that such a relationship exists for adolescents. Survey results show that the trend is true as well for children. Female and white children were more predisposed to opt to become thinner than blacks and males.

Through a statewide random design, 7,846 9th to 12th grade students in 81 South Carolina public schools were selected to complete the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Mantel-Haenszel Chi-Square, general linear models, and logistic regression were used to examine the relation the independent variables of race, gender, and physical activity status with the dependent variables of tobacco and alcohol use while controlling for race, gender, and participation in physical education classes. The six physical activity levels ranged from sedentary nonathletes to athletes participating on two or more sports teams. Highly active athletes drank more frequently than did low-activity nonathletes (p = .002) and sedentary nonathletes (p = .006), and they were more likely to binge drink (p = .004). Athletic groups were less likely to smoke than were the nonathletic groups (p [is less than] .0001) with 'sedentary nonathletes' the heaviest smokers of all groups. Athletes were more likely to use smokeless tobacco (p [is less than] .0001) than nonathletes although this difference disappeared when controlling for gender and race. This research supports other findings about prevalence of smokeless tobacco use among athletic youth. In addition, it reveals that athletic youth are at an increased risk of alcohol use and binge drinking. Possible factors such as the risk-taking tendencies of team sport athletes should be investigated. (J Sch Health. 1996;66(1):27-32), Research has documented the physical and mental benefits of exercise for adults[1,2] and adolescents. Habitually active American adolescents tend to be leaner, which favorably affects lipid profiles and blood pressure[3,4] [...]

The dietary intakes of energy, protein, calcium, and iron of 408 randomly selected nonpregnant, black and white female adolescents were analyzed to determine their pre-pregnancy nutritional status. Pre-pregnancy weight for height was calculated and used as an indicator of nutritional status. After controlling for race, socioeconomic status, and age, results indicated that black females had significantly higher mean intakes of energy (p = .0001), protein (p [is less than] .0001), calcium (p = .0205), and iron (p = .0001) than did white females. Distribution of white and black females in the percentages of RDA categories differed significantly for energy (p [is less than] .0001), protein (p [is less than] .0001), and iron (p [is less than] .0001). A higher percentage of white fremales were found in the three lower categories (, Adolescent pregnancy, which occurs in over one million U.S. teenagers each year, remains a major public health and nutrition concern. Nutritional requirements for the adolescent female increase during the time [...]

Black (27%) and White (73%) women (n = 215) completed a survey assessing weight concern, ideal body size beliefs, body dissatisfaction, attitudes toward overweight body size, and parental criticism of their childhood appearance. Sixty-four percent of the women reported they were currently trying to lose weight and 63% desired a body size thinner than their own. High weight concern and negative attitudes toward overweight persons were reported, respectively, by 45% and 17%, of the women. The only significant difference found by race was weight concern as White women rated this significantly higher than Black women. No significant frequencies of choice were associated with the women's socioeconomic level. Self-reported ratings of weight concern were significant and positively associated with those for body dissatisfaction, negative attitudes toward overweight persons, negative attitudes toward one's own overweight, and criticism of childhood appearance by mothers or fathers. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: Website: ] KEYWORDS. Body image, race, weight concern, obesity

Objectives. To assess the prevalence of dieting and investigate clusters of risk behaviors among adolescents. Methods. Data were secured from a random sample of adolescents (4636) and analyzed using bivariate methods and logistic regression. Results: From the survey sample, 19.2% adolescents were classified as extreme, 43.2% as moderate dieters, 37.2% as nondieters. Extreme dieters were more likely to use alcohol, cigarettes, and/or marijuana and to attempt suicide and less likely to practice vigorous exercise. Moderate dieters were less likely to use cigarettes, marijuana and more likely to engage in vigorous exercise, with differences across gender-race categories. Conclusions: Results have relevance for developing multicomponent programs for adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the presence of intestinal parasites in an institution for mentally retarded persons in South Carolina. New residents of the said institution tend to acquire trichuriasis. Stool examination is also recommended to residents to control the spread of the parasites within the institution. In 1973, researchers found 182 individuals infected with T trichiura.

The purpose of this study was to compare various aspects of diet quality between fourth graders and seventh graders. Consumption in each food group and food variety pattern suggested that dietary quality of fourth graders and seventh graders were different. Fourth graders showed "better" dietary behaviors than seventh graders with some variations among food groups and differences regarding gender. Importantly, it should be noted by the health care community that diet quality tends to decline with the progression from childhood to early adolescence. These same concerns are mentioned in the previous paper, i.e., the declining quality of diet with increased age in moving from childhood to adolescence. Specific areas that should be targeted for improvement were identified. The information obtained from this study suggests the need for renewed efforts by physicians, health educators, nutritionists, and policy makers to improve the diet quality of children and adolescents. In addition, this information is vital for formulating the appropriate and effective private provider and public health interventions and prevention initiatives to improve the health and wellness of South Carolina youth as they progress from childhood to adolescence into adulthood.