Emerald | Health Education | Table of Contents

Systematic review: School health promotion interventions targeting physical activity and nutrition can improve academic performance in primary- and middle school children

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - A systematic review of effects and mediators was conducted to determine whether school health promotion interventions (SHPIs) can enhance children’s academic performance (AP). Design/methodology/approach - Only interventions targeting the maintenance of energy balance (physical activity (PA) and nutrition) in primary school and middle school children met the methodological criteria of this review. Findings - SHPIs targeting the maintenance of energy balance can have small to large positive effects on AP; no negative effects were reported. Effects of different kinds of interventions vary across academic domains. One PA intervention reported large effects of vigorous activity on mathematics; another PA intervention had small to medium impact on language scores. Small to medium effects were found for interventions combining nutrition and PA elements; one affected mathematics and another both mathematics and language scores. Slight improvements in language scores were observed for breakfast provision in schools. Research limitations/implications - The small number of interventions, little homogeneity in intervention components (content, length and measurement instruments), reporting bias and some inconsistent results should be considered when interpreting our results. Our review did not allow definite conclusions concerning mechanisms responsible for effects of SHPIs on AP.Practical implications - Planned development of SHP will need to be based on evidence. Measures of AP should be included in evaluations of SHPIs. Schools and health professionals should be made aware of the importance of these measures.Originality/value - We provide evidence that SHPIs promoting energy balance can affect AP, also if they do not target children at risk or with specific symptoms, nor employ elements directly connected to school education.

Moderating teen drinking: Combining social marketing and education

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This paper outlines a pilot study that was undertaken in Australia in 2011 that combined social marketing with education. An intervention targeting 14-16 year olds to influence attitudes and behavioural intentions towards moderate drinking was developed and tested. Game On: Know Alcohol (GO:KA) is a 6 module intervention that is delivered to a year level cohort in an auditorium. GO:KA combines a series of online and offline experiential activities to engage (with) students. Design/methodology/approach - Following social marketing benchmark criteria, formative research and competitive analysis was undertaken to create, implement and evaluate an intervention. The intervention was delivered in one all boys’ and one all girls’ school in April and June 2011, respectively. A total of 223 year 10 students participated in GO:KA with the majority completing both pre and post surveys. Paired samples t-tests and descriptive analysis were used to assess attitudinal and behavioural intention change. Findings - Attitudinal change was observed in both schools while behavioural intentions changed for girls and not boys according to paired samples t-testing. Post hoc testing indicated gender differences. Research limitations/implications - The lack of a control group is a key limitation of the current research that can be overcome in the 20 school main study to be conducted in 2013-2014. Practical implications - The lack of a control group is a key limitation of the current study that can be overcome in the 20 school main study to be conducted in 2013-2014. Originality/value - The current study provides evidence to suggest that a combined social marketing and education intervention can change teenage attitudes towards moderate drinking whilst only changing behavioural intentions for female teenagers. Analysis of the intervention provides insight into gender differences and highlights the need for a segmented approach.

Student-driven health promotion activities

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Catrine Kostenius) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The aim was to examine how students experienced creating, leading and praticipating in student-driven health promoting activities in cooperation with their teacher. Design/methodology/approach - Inspired by the PAAR method (participatory appreciative action research) 19 Swedish students, ages 10-11 participated in health promotion work in the classroom through creating, leading, participating in and evaluating their own and their peers’ health promoting activities.Findings - The analysis of the student’s health promoting activities resulted in three themes; (i) the friendly touch (ii) the outdoor run for fun (iii) the sounds of well-being, including health promotion tools such as music, massage, physical activity and the outdoors.Originality/value - The comprehensive understanding of how students experienced creating, leading and participating in student-driven health promoting activities in cooperation with their teacher, revealed three key points; i) When students were asked to choose health promoting activities, they were not only in line with existing research but were able to reflect on how to develop praxis, ii) Students are competent to lead health promoting activities with the support of their teacher and participating in health promoting activities lead by their peers, iii) The group assignment in this study offer one example of implementing health promoting activities in school to increase health literacy.

Health-Related Messages in Food Advertisements Targeting Children

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The goal of this study was to assess the use of health messages in food advertising targeting children to determine if these messages indicate the promotion of a healthful product or a marketing tactic to promote unhealthy items, potentially undermining nutrition education efforts. Design/methodology/approach - A content analysis of food advertisements (N = 534) in children’s shows (N = 141) was performed to identify three types of health messages. The type of products promoted with such messages and the nutritional value of those products were assessed.Findings - Over half of food advertisements targeting children use health messages, with commercials for fast foods and sugared cereals most likely to include them. The majority of advertisements for nutritionally poor foods include a health message. Research limitations/implications - The findings from this research cannot be used to predict the impact health messages have on young viewers, but rather describe the content. Practical implications - This study raises concern that food advertisement targeting children may prime misleading perceptions of a food’s actual nutritional value. Educators should be aware of the need to assist children in adequately interpreting health messages presented in advertising. Originality/value - To date little research has examined the health related messages presented in food advertisements targeting children. To our knowledge this is the first study to examine not only the presence of health messages but the actual nutritional quality of foods promoted with such messages.

Measuring child and adolescent health literacy: a systematic review of literature

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - A systematic review of literature was conducted to compile, analyse and describe the methodology and measurement of childhood/adolescent health literacy.Design/methodology/approach - Six online databases (ERIC, PubMed, CINAHL, Biomed Central, Web of Science and Sports Discuss) were systematically searched to identify English language, peer-reviewed articles, published between 1980 and April 2011, which reported on the measurement of health literacy in a population under the age of 18. The search identified 16 articles to be included in the final review, from which, data was systematically extracted in order to answer four review questions concerning several aspects of the method and effectiveness of the completed studies.Findings - The majority (N=13) of the studies described the use of newly developed measurement tools and enquiry methods. The majority (N=14) assessed health literacy via task performance as opposed to examining self-reported health literacy. 13 health topics and 9 distinct components of health literacy were identified as being scrutinized by the 16 articles. Examination of the intended measurement aims of each study, in comparison with the actual measurement methods revealed that 6 studies fully succeeded in examining what they intended to measure. It is concluded that even though research in this field is escalating, clear definitions and measurement methods of childhood health literacy must be developed in order to effectively expand the field further and comprehensively assess childhood health literacy.Originality/value - This review is to our knowledge the first to collate and examine studies concentrating solely on the measurement of health literacy in a child and/or adolescent population.

Smelly Feet

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Peter Eachus) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Not available.