Journal of School Health

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1987.tb03223.xpmid: N/A

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1987.tb03224.xpmid: N/A

Price, James H.; Desmond, Sharon M.; Stelzer, Cathleen M.

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1987.tb03225.xpmid: 3682769

ABSTRACT: This survey assessed school principals' perceptions regarding childhood obesity and the schools' role in dealing with the problem. A randomly selected group of 300 school principals was obtained from the National Association of Elementary School Principals; 227 (76%) administrators returned the questionnaire. Fifty‐one percent of the principals believed normal weight was important to child health. Although 35% believed schools were not doing enough to alleviate childhood obesity, responses suggested principals oppose schools becoming obesity treatment centers. They do not believe teachers or parents would support such programs. They perceived the school's role to be educational and referral in nature. However, they supported elimination of “junk food” machines (71%) and provision of low calorie lunches (60%). They believed school nurses play the most important role in treating childhood obesity at school.

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1987.tb03226.xpmid: N/A

Lamarine, Roland J.

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1987.tb03227.xpmid: 3682770

ABSTRACT: Self‐esteem and health locus of control have been postulated as predictors of attitudes and behaviors related to child health. The association among these variables has not been assessed adequately among Native American children. This study measured the relationship among self‐esteem, health locus of control, and health attitudes of Native American fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students. A statistically significant relationship was found between self‐esteem and positive attitudes toward health. Self‐esteem was a modest predictor of health attitudes and health behavioral intentions among Navajo and Pueblo children.

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1987.tb03228.xpmid: N/A

Melby, Christopher L.; Dunn, Patrick J.; Hyner, Gerald C.; Sedlock, Darlene; Corrigan, Donald L.

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1987.tb03229.xpmid: 3682771

ABSTRACT: This cross‐sectional study determined which anthropometric, dietary, and physical fitness variables were best predictors of blood pressure (BP) in 323 white elementary schoolchildren. Height, weight, triceps, and subscapular skinfold thicknesses were measured, followed by two resting BP measurements. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by time in a one mile run. A food frequency questionnaire measured habitual dietary intake. Correlational analysis revealed height, weight, body mass index (wt/ht2), and skinfold thicknesses were anthropometric variables associated significantly with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Physical fitness was not correlated with BP and, among dietary variables, only estimated daily caloric intake, dietary cholesterol, and nondiscretionary sodium were related to blood pressure. A multiple regression analysis selected weight, body mass index (BMI), and total caloric intake as factors explaining the greatest amount of BP variability. For some individuals, hypertension may originate in childhood, thus, these results could have implications for primary prevention of high blood pressure.

Wattleton, Faye

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1987.tb03230.xpmid: 3682772

Drolet, Judy C.

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1987.tb03231.xpmid: 3682773

Birch, David A.

doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1987.tb03232.xpmid: 3682774