Children In School Years Research Articles

School Day Physical Activity Levels In Children: Active Commuting Day Vs Non-active Commuting Day

Previous studies have found that children who actively commute to school are more active throughout that day. It is not known whether the increase is because more active children actively commute or that the active commute causes an increase in activity. PURPOSE: To compare active vs non-active commuting to school on total daily MVPA within the same children. METHODS: All children in school years 4 (ages 8-9), 8 and 10 within a provincial city in the UK were selected and only those who (a) returned a complete data set and (b) who actively commuted to school between 1-4 days per week were used for the analysis (n=1377, 674 females). A 7-day diary recorded MVPA (mins) in 5 school day segments; (1) before school; (2) walking/ cycling to/ from school; (3) in school; (4) before/ after school clubs and (5) after school. Paired sample t-tests identified differences between the segments and total daily MVPA on active commuting (n=3909) versus non-active commuting school days (n= 2976). RESULTS: Total daily MVPA was significantly higher on active commuting days (99.4±86.3,) compared to non-active commuting days (63.3±89.9, p<0.001,). Even when the contribution of active commuting (16.2±16.6) was removed, significantly more minutes of MVPA were undertaken on an active commuting day compared to a non-active commuting days (83.1±82min v 63.3±89.9min, p<0.001). This resulted from significantly more minutes of MVPA being accumulated on active commuting days across the remaining four segments of the day; before school (4.6±9.9 v 3.04±8.9, p<0.001), school day (31.1±30.2 v 20.7±31.3, p< 0.001), before/ after school clubs (9.9±26.4 v 6.36±27.8, p<0.001), after school (37.6±52.4 v 33.3±66.9, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Active commuting on school days leads to an increase in MVPA in the school day. When the same children undertake two different commuting behaviours different physical activity patterns result. This supports the notion that active commuting does increase levels of MVPA at other points during the school day.

School Food Environments and Practices Affect Dietary Behaviors of US Public School Children

Background Changes to school food environments and practices that lead to improved dietary behavior are a powerful strategy to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic. Objectives To estimate the effects of school food environments and practices, characterized by access to competitive foods and beverages, school lunches, and nutrition promotion, on children's consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, low-nutrient energy-dense foods, and fruits/vegetables at school. Design Cross-sectional study using data from the third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study, a nationally representative sample of public school districts, schools, and children in school year 2004-2005. Data from school principals and foodservice directors, school menu analysis, and on-site observations were used to characterize school food environments and practices. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour recalls. Subjects/setting The sample consists of 287 schools and 2,314 children in grades one through 12. Statistical analyses performed Ordinary least squares regression was used to identify the association between school food environments and practices (within elementary, middle, and high schools) and dietary outcomes, controlling for other school and child/family characteristics. Results Sugar-sweetened beverages obtained at school contributed a daily mean of 29 kcal in middle school children and 46 kcal in high school children across all school children. Attending a school without stores or snack bars was estimated to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption by 22 kcal per school day in middle school children ( P<0.01) and by 28 kcal in high school children ( P<0.01). The lack of a pouring rights contract in a school reduced sugar-sweetened beverage consumption by 16 kcal ( P<0.05), and no à la carte offerings in a school reduced consumption by 52 kcal ( P<0.001) in middle school children. The most effective practices for reducing energy from low-energy, energy-dense foods were characteristics of the school meal program; not offering french fries reduced low-nutrient, energy-dense foods consumption by 43 kcal in elementary school children ( P<0.01) and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption by 41 kcal in high school children ( P<0.001). Conclusions To improve children's diet and reduce obesity continued changes to school food environments and practices are essential. Removing sugar-sweetened beverages from school food stores and snack bars, improving à la carte choices, and reducing the frequency of offering french fries merit testing as strategies to reduce energy from low-nutrient, energy-dense foods at school.

Monitoring trends in childhood obesity: A simple school-based model

The UK Government has set a target of halting the rise in childhood obesity by 2010. However, at the time the target was set, no monitoring process existed. The English Department of Health has now issued guidelines to primary care trusts for the annual weighing and measuring of all children on entry to primary school and in year 6. Development of an inexpensive school-based monitoring scheme for trends in childhood obesity suitable for national implementation. The methodology was developed in 10 pilot schools in 2004 and implemented in 25 primary schools and three secondary schools in 2005. Specially trained healthcare support workers (HCSWs) recorded height and weight measurements of primary school children in reception and year 4, and secondary school children in year 8 (aged 5, 8 and 13 years, respectively, on average). The ethnic and socio-economic profile of the sample was compared with census data, and the levels of obesity were calculated using standard age cut-offs. While monitoring in primary schools was achieved with no evidence of disruption to the schools or distress to the subjects, monitoring in secondary schools was deemed to be impractical. Cost analysis indicated an estimated cost of less than 1.50 UK pounds per primary school child measured. The model provides a viable means of monitoring childhood obesity trends. Monitoring should be confined to primary schools and should be conducted by specially trained HCSWs rather than school nurses.

A Short Form of the Teacher Rating Scale of School Adjustment

A total of 278 children at Time 1 (144 male and 134 female) from School Years 1 and 2 in the United Kingdom serve as participants. The children complete self-rated scales of school adjustment, and their teachers complete the Teacher Rating Scale of School Adjustment (TRSSA) twice across a 1-year period. At Time 1, children's performance on Standardized Achievement Tests are available for children in School Year 2. An exploratory factor analysis of the TRSSA at Time 1 yielded a viable short form of the scale composed of three associated factors (On-Task Classroom Involvement, Positive Orientation, and Maturity). Confirmatory factor analyses of the Short Form TRSSA yield evidence for these three factors at Time 2. The Short Form TRSSA demonstrates acceptable internal consistency and stability across time. As evidence for validity of the scale, the Short Form TRSSA is associated with children's self-reported school adjustment and academic performance.

A study of the association between children’s access to drinking water in primary schools and their fluid intake: can water be ‘cool’ in school?

Water is essential for health. The 'Water is Cool in School' campaign promoted improved drinking water access in UK schools. Implementation has been patchy, and impact has not been studied. The aim of this study is to determine whether fluid intake and frequency of toilet visits are associated with children's access to drinking water in the classroom. A total of 145 schoolchildren in Year 2 (aged 6-7 years) and 153 in Year 5 (aged 9-10 years) classes were studied in six Southampton schools. Total fluid intake and toilet visits were recorded during one school day. Schools were recruited according to drinking policy: 'prohibited access' = water prohibited in classroom; 'limited access' = water allowed in classroom but not on the desk; and 'free access' = water bottle encouraged on the desk. Data were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. In total, 120 children in prohibited access, 91 in limited access and 87 in free access settings were recruited. Total fluid intake was significantly higher in Year 2 free access schools (geometric mean 293, range 104-953 mL) compared with prohibited access schools (geometric mean 189, range 0-735 mL, P=0.046), in Year 5 free access schools (geometric mean 489, range 88-1200 mL) compared with prohibited access schools (geometric mean 206, range 0-953 mL, P=0.001), and in free access versus limited access schools (geometric mean 219, range 0-812 mL, P=0.003). A total of 81% and 80% of children in prohibited and limited access schools, respectively, consumed below the minimum recommended amount of total fluid at school, compared with 46.5% in the free access schools. In total, 34.6% of children did not use the toilets at all during the school day. There was no trend observed between water access and frequency of toilet visits (median of 1 trip for each group, P=0.605). Most children have an inadequate fluid intake in school. Free access to drinking water in class is associated with improved total fluid intake. Primary schools should promote water drinking in class.

The Croydon Assessment of Learning Study: Prevalence and educational identification of mild mental retardation

Mild mental retardation is an enduring and impairing condition. Its prevalence has varied widely across different studies from .5 to over 8%, with higher rates in completely ascertained samples. The current study estimates the prevalence of low IQ in the mental retardation range (intellectual disability) in a population sample and examines the factors that relate to educational identification. A total of 2,730 children in school years 8 and 9 attending local authority schools were assessed in school with the group-administered Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT). A sample of 304 pupils at high, moderate and low risk of mild mental retardation was selected for in-depth study. This included the individually measured full-scale IQ (WISC-III(UK)), the Wechsler Quicktest of attainments, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire from parents and teachers and an abbreviated version of the Social Communication Questionnaire. Of those selected for the in-depth study, 204 (67%) participated, with a greater proportion from the low risk group. A range of prevalence estimates were calculated using different imputation methods and assumptions about individuals not screened. Rates of pupils with WISC IQ < 70 varied from 5.8% to 10.6%. There were no significant gender differences. In contrast to the high prevalence estimates using the WISC, the proportion of pupils scoring in the lowest stanine on the CAT was as expected. Only 15% of those with IQ < 70 had a statement of special educational needs or attended a school for moderate learning difficulties. Behaviour, particularly social communication problems, predicted educational identification. The current study produced a high estimate of the prevalence of mild intellectual disability based on the WISC but not on the CAT. The findings highlight that the majority of mild intellectual disability in the UK would not be detected using registers. Cases that are detected by registers are more behaviourally disturbed than others.

Asthma prevalence in Melbourne schoolchildren: have we reached the peak?

To determine the change in prevalence of asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis in Australian schoolchildren between 1993 and 2002. Questionnaire based survey, using the protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood. Metropolitan Melbourne primary schools within a 20 km radius of the GPO in 1993 and 2002. All children in school years 1 and 2 (ages 6 and 7) attending a random sample of 84 schools in 1993 and 63 schools in 2002. Parent-reported symptoms of atopic disease; treatment for asthma; country of birth. There was a 26% reduction in the 12-month period prevalence of reported wheeze, from 27.2% in 1993 to 20.0% in 2002. The magnitude of reduction was similar for boys (27%) and girls (25%). The 12-month period prevalence of reported eczema increased from 11.1% in 1993 to 17.2% in 2002, and rhinitis increased from 9.7% to 12.7%. There were reductions in the proportion of children attending an emergency department for asthma in the previous year (3.6% to 2.3%), the proportion admitted to hospital (1.7% to 1.1%) and the proportion taking asthma medication (18.5% to 13.4%). Of those who reported frequent wheeze, there was an increase in the proportion taking regular inhaled steroids (34.5% to 40.9%). There has been a significant reduction in the prevalence of reported asthma in Melbourne schoolchildren, whereas the prevalence of eczema and allergic rhinitis has continued to increase.

Sun-safe behaviour among secondary school students in Australia

This paper reports data on the first national survey of sun-protection measures of Australian secondary school students. A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 23,915 Australian school children in Years 7-12 was conducted in 1993. Students were questioned about usual sun-protection practices, beliefs about skin cancer and suntans, and sunburn history. The results showed differences in sun-protection behaviours as a function of 'year level', 'gender', 'skin type' and 'concern about getting cancer' among others. Adolescents who believe there is a lot they can do to avoid skin cancer are more likely to engage in sun-protective behaviours. Males were more likely to wear a cap, yet females tended to use sunscreen. The use of clothing to protect themselves from the sun was higher in males, yet females were more likely to stay mainly in the shade. All behaviours decreased with age. Poorer protective practices were also associated with increased sunburn, except for sunscreen use where the converse was the case. Suntan was still a desire for adolescents. While there is considerable room for improvement in the sun-protection behaviour of adolescents (particularly those in higher grades), most students usually take some precautions. However, by Year 12 (17 and 18 year olds) less than half report usually wearing a hat and just two-thirds reported usual sunscreen usage.

Alcopops and under‐age drinking: changing trends in drink preference

Assesses the popularity of the new alcoholic carbonates (alcopops) among 14‐15 year old schoolchildren. Considers the relationship between last occasion consumption of alcopops and self‐reported drunkenness. These data are based on a follow‐up study of schoolchildren who self‐completed the same standard instrument in 1994 and two years later in 1997. The survey was carried out in five Dundee schools selected in consultation with the Local Education Authority. In 1994, schoolchildren in years S3‐4 aged 14‐15 were surveyed (n = 373). The survey was repeated again with S3‐4 pupils in 1996. Data from those pupils originally sampled as S1‐2 pupils and followed up at time 2 (n = 288) are included here. Alcopops were introduced onto the market three months after the first survey was carried out. By the time the original sample was recontacted in 1996, alcopops were the second most likely drink to be consumed by these under‐age drinkers (17.3 per cent drank alcopops, the same proportion as drank vodka, 20.8 per cent consumed ordinary beers on the last occasion). Despite the popularity of alcopops these drinks were not associated with drunkenness. Given the rate of increase in alcopop consumption between the two survey times, it is clear that the alcoholic carbonates are popular among under‐age drinkers. That these drinks are not associated with drunkenness suggests the importance of a better understanding of the decisions young people bring to bear on alcohol choice.

Asthma and other atopic diseases in Australian children

To determine the prevalence of asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis in Australian schoolchildren using the protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC). Questionnaire-based survey. Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide (in winter-spring, 1993) and Perth (in winter-spring, 1994). All children in school years 1 and 2 (ages 6-7 years) or in year 8 (ages 13-14 years), attending a random sample of 272 schools, stratified by age and city. Parent-reported (for 6-7 year olds) or self-reported (for 13-14 year olds) symptoms of atopic disease in the previous 12 months, or ever; treatment of asthma; and country of birth. 10,914 questionnaires were completed for 6-7 year olds and 12,280 for 13-14 year olds (84% and 94% response rates, respectively). Prevalence of wheeze in the past 12 months was 24.6% for the 6-7 year olds and 29.4% for the 13-14 year olds, and, among 6-7 year olds, was significantly higher in boys (27.4%) than girls (21.7%). Children born in Australia were more likely to report current wheeze than those born elsewhere (6-7 year olds: odds ratio [OR], 1.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55-2.15; and 13-14 year olds: OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.68-2.11). Prevalences of current eczema and allergic rhinitis were 10.9% and 12.0%, respectively, for the 6-7 year olds, and 9.7% and 19.6%, respectively, for the 13-14 year olds. Asthma, eczema and rhinitis coexisted in 1.8% of 6-7 year olds and 2.8% of 13-14 year olds. This study provides evidence that asthma prevalence in Australian schoolchildren is continuing to increase and is higher among Australian-born children than among those born elsewhere. Asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis coexist to a lesser extent than expected. These results form the basis for future Australian and international comparisons.

Effect of passive smoking, asthma, and respiratory infection on lung function in Australian children.

We have calculated normal standards for lung function of Australian children and have estimated the effects on lung function of passive smoking, current asthma, past asthma, and a current respiratory infection. Three cross-sectional samples of children in school years 3-5 (aged 8-11 years) were studied. The 2765 children were from two rural regions of NSW and from the city of Sydney. Details of passive smoking and respiratory illness were collected by a questionnaire sent to parents. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and forced mid-expiratory flow rate (FEF25-75%) were used as measures of lung function. Airway responsiveness was assessed by histamine inhalation test. Data from 1278 "normal" children were used in regression analysis to calculate prediction models for lung function. Passive smoking was associated with reduced FEV1, PEFR, and FEF25-75%. Children with current asthma had reduced FEV1 and FEF25-75% and children with past asthma had reduced FEF25-75%. Children with a current respiratory infection had reduced FVC, FEV1, PEFR, and FEF25-75%. The effects of these deficits on the future lung function of these children is not known but is likely to be important.

Bullying: A preliminary investigation of its nature and the effects of social cognition

The nature of peer group bullying among 631 Australian primary school children in years 5, 6 and 7 was surveyed in STUDY ONE to further understand the nature and effects of bullying. Over 6% of the sample reported being bullied 1‐2 days/ week and nearly 1/3 of the sample felt unsafe from bullying. For 16% of the children who are bullied the experience lasts six months or more. Approximately one quarter of the students felt that teachers did little to stop bullying while children gave as their reason for not helping a victim “it is none of my business” and “fear”. Bullying affected self perception with 65% feeling worse about themselves after the incident. In STUDY TWO 76 children were individually interviewed regarding their social problem solving capacities. Bullies, victims and “normals” differed in relation to their attribution for control for explanations of aggressive behaviour. Bullies were more “external” than victims or other children. Bullies chose more aggressive second best solutions to aggress...

Seroepidemiology of schistosomiasis japonica by ELISA in the Philippines. III. Selective mass chemotherapy with praziquantel in a control program.

After a pre-control (pre-treatment) prevalence rate of schistosomiasis japonica was established by stool examination and by ELISA in about 400 school children in school year 1979, annual prevalence rates were measured in the following 3 assessment years. From 54-80% of children found infected primarily by stool examination were treated with praziquantel 3-9 months before the assessment examinations. Both stool examination and ELISA showed statistically significant reductions of prevalence from the 1st to the 3rd assessment years (average reduction of 50% measured by stool examination and average reduction of 19% measured by ELISA). These reductions were expected as a result of the biologic activity of the effective schistosomicide; they are therefore not acceptable evidence of reduced transmission levels. By decreasing human sources of snail infection, an effective schistosomicide may have the epidemiologic impact of reducing transmission; assessment prevalence rates can be relevant indices of transmission levels only if the biologic effect of the schistosomicide is dissociated from its epidemiologic impact in a control program in which selective mass chemotherapy plays a dominant role. This dissociation was accomplished in this study by measurements in an essentially untreated group of "new" pupils, i.e., those who entered the school at the beginning of each assessment year. Overall prevalence rates among the "new" pupils did not show a significant reduction until the 3rd assessment year as measured by stool examination (reduction by 36% of pre-control level); as measured by ELISA, a significant reduction (by 15-17%) was detected in the 2nd and 3rd assessment years. The youngest children, and girls more than boys, were the most sensitive indicators of change.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)