School Health Research Articles

Competencies needed for public health workforce in the programs of Iran's health transformation plan: A descriptive study based on programs, operations, and competencies chain.

The public health workforce faces a wide range of challenges related to people's health. Thus, they need a combination of different professional skills and competencies to perform essential public health operations and provide services to people. The present study was conducted to determine the competencies needed for the public health workforce to implement health transformation plan programs at Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences in the capital of Khuzestan province in Iran. This research was a descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted in 2020 among 51 managers and experts of the health deputy and faculty members of the public health school. STROBE guideline was used for the present study. The research tools were two researcher-made questionnaires based on the chain of Programs, Operations, and Competencies (POC). Additionally, the validity and reliability of the questionnaires were checked. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was equal to 0.87 for the first questionnaire (programs-operations) and 0.85 for the second questionnaire (operations-competencies). The operations of surveillance of population health and well-being, monitoring and responding to health hazards and emergencies, and disease prevention, including early detection of illness, obtained the highest mean total score (3.9 (95% CI: 3.6 to 4.2)). Respect for and adherence to ethical principles and confidentiality in any professional activity obtained the highest mean total score (4.0 (95% CI: 3.7 to 4.3)) among the needed competencies. To properly implement public health programs, managers must plan and take necessary measures to improve such operations as surveillance of population health and well-being, monitoring and responding to health hazards and emergencies, disease prevention (including early detection of illness), and promotion of the workforce competencies in the field of respect for and adherence to ethical principles and confidentiality in any professional activity.

Experiences of Young People From LGBTQ-Headed Families of School and Student Health Care Services in Finland: A Qualitative Study

Experiences of Young People From LGBTQ-Headed Families of School and Student Health Care Services in Finland: A Qualitative Study

CPR Memory and Skill Degradation Among Non-Allied Healthcare Professionals

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a lifesaving technique that is useful in many emergencies, such as a heart attack, stroke, choking, or drowning, in which someone’s breathing and heartbeat have stopped.Under the guidelines put forth by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) and the Emergency Cardiovascular Care Organization (ECC), the American Red Cross and American Heart Association currently require that an individual’s CPR certification be renewed every two years. However, data has suggested that non-allied healthcare providers, such as school-based personnel, may require more regular training to maintain required CPR proficiency levels. Four hundred non-allied healthcare professionals from a school district in central Georgia were CPR-certified under the American Heart Association (AHA) Heart-Saver curriculum. Participants included 153 males and 247 females from elementary, middle, and high school settings. Participants included administrators, teachers, coaches, and staff. Two tenured college professors from the School of Health and Human Performance were responsible for teaching and certifying study participants. Each of these professors possessed a minimum of five years of CPR certification experience with the American Heart Association. Course sizes were limited to 12-15 participants. All CPR certification courses were implemented under standardized, controlled circumstances. Following the initial certification, twenty-five percent of participants were randomly selected to be reassessed at either three, six, nine, or twelve months, respectively, to determine memory and skill degradation rates and patterns. Degradation of declarative and procedural knowledge was observed during subsequent retest sessions at each of the three-, six-, nine-, and twelve-month marks. Scores depreciated approximately 10% each three-month retesting period, to 88%, 79%, 69%, and 57%, respectively. Data suggest that after six months, participants failed to meet the AHA standards for demonstrating acceptable declarative and procedural knowledge related to CPR implementation. Due to the observed degradation in both declarative and procedural knowledge, it is apparent that a more periodic training and recertification process in CPR is required for school-based personnel. A more consistent and periodic approach to preparing school-based first responders may prove beneficial in maintaining CPR proficiency rates, which very well could save lives.

Effects of health education intervention on menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices among the adolescent girls of Pokhara Metropolitan, Nepal.

Poor menstrual hygiene practices are one of the major public health problems in Nepal. Due to persistent taboos and socio-cultural constraints, adolescent girls are often unaware of scientific facts, knowledge, and practices related to menstrual hygiene. This paper aims to assess the effects of health education intervention on menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices among adolescent girls in Pokhara Metropolitan, Nepal. A true experimental study was conducted in two government basic schools in Pokhara Metropolitan, Nepal. The study population was adolescent girls who had attended the menarche. Firstly, a pretest with the help of a self-administered questionnaire was done to find out the socio-demographic information, knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene. Next, health education sessions were conducted among the intervention group. Finally, after one month of intervention, a post-test was conducted among the intervention and non-intervention group. Data analysis was done through descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings showed significant improvement in the knowledge and practice level of adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene after health education intervention. Participants in the intervention group showed a significant increase in knowledge scores from 10.0% to 67.0%, while the non-intervention group remained unchanged at 7.5%. Good menstrual hygiene practices scores in the intervention group increased significantly from 22.5% to 67.0%, whereas the non-intervention group saw a slight rise from 20.0% to 22.5%. Regarding observed practice scores in menstrual hygiene, significant improvement was observed in the intervention group (45.0% to 100.0%) in contrast to the non-intervention group (25.0% to 27.5%). This study highlights the crucial role of school health education interventions in promoting menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls. It emphasizes the importance of comprehensive educational programs tailored to early teenage girls, addressing timing, content, and delivery methods alongside ensuring the availability of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities.

Individual Factors in Young Female Athletes' Bladder Health (the Y-FAB Study).

Bladder health in high school and collegiate females is not well understood. The objective of this study was to compare toileting behaviors, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs), and fluid intake in female athletes and nonathletes. English-speaking nulliparous females aged 13-23 years were recruited. Participants completed the Toileting Behaviors: Women's Elimination Behaviors Scale, Bristol Female LUTS Questionnaire, and Beverage Questionnaire. Statistical analysis included univariable analyses and multivariable comparisons of athletes to nonathletes adjusting for age and fluid intake. One hundred athletes and 98 nonathletes participated (mean age 20 ± 2, mean body mass index 23 ± 4). Athletes' sports were predominantly high impact. Dysmenorrhea and anxiety were higher in nonathletes (P < 0.01) versus more stress fractures in athletes (P < 0.001). Problematic toileting behaviors were prevalent regardless of athletic status; nonathletes were more likely to hold urine until home and empty away from home without the urge (both P = 0.04). Lower urinary tract symptoms were prevalent regardless of athletic status, including frequency (34.2%), hesitancy (33.3%), urgency (32.8%), stress incontinence (15.3%), and urgency incontinence (11.8%). Athletes had significantly more stress incontinence and urgency and higher incontinence subscores on univariable analysis, although the difference was attenuated after multivariable adjustment. Athletes consumed lower total fluids (P = 0.03). Problematic toileting behaviors and LUTSs were prevalent in high school and collegiate females, regardless of athletic status. Athletes had higher stress urinary incontinence and urgency and lower fluid intake. These findings support future work toward enhancing early bladder health interventions (screening, education, and LUTS prevention) among high school and collegiate females.

Prevention and Control of Rheumatic Fever in India – A Blue Print for Introduction of a Pragmatic Program with Limited Resources

“Eliminate rheumatic fever (RF) and minimize the burden of rheumatic heart disease by 2025” is the goal of World Heart Federation (WHF). The most important step to achieve the goal of WHF is the implementation of the prevention and control of RF in India. The program can be implemented with minimal fund allocation from government making use of the existing man power in the government and private health sector and schools with the concurrence of National Health Mission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Public Education and under the guidance of Cardiological Society of India, National Rheumatic Heart Consortium, Rheumatic Heart Club India, Association of Physicians of India, Indian Academy of Pediatrics, and Association of Otolaryngologists of India. By the successful implementation of this program, the children of 5–15 years in India can be protected from RF. India eradicated small pox in 1980 and Polio 2012. With this program, we can start our efforts to eliminate RF by 2025.

Trends in the Co-occurrence and Association Between Heavy Episodic Drinking and Generalized Anxiety Among Adolescents Between 2013 and 2023 in Finland

AbstractThe diverging trends of decreasing alcohol use and increasing anxiety symptoms among adolescents raise a question, has the strength of the well-known association between these issues also changed. This study examined changes in the co-occurrence and associations between heavy episodic drinking (HED) and generalized anxiety (GA) among Finnish adolescents between 2013 and 2023. From the repeated cross-sectional Finnish School Health Promotion Study (N = 874 110, age 13–20 years) we estimated self-reported GA symptoms and HED. The proportion of those with both HED and moderate to severe GA increased from 2.9% in 2013 to 3.6% in 2023, indicating a 21.5% relative difference. The association between GA symptoms and HED was stable during the study period (ORs 1.06–1.07). Although the association has been stable, there has been a rise in the proportion of adolescents experiencing both conditions concurrently over the past decade. This calls for strengthening the integration of mental health and substance use prevention and services.

Policy Analysis for Anemia and Pregnant Women Care Eleviation Program Through Prospective Bride’s Preparation

Background: The percentage of pregnant women experiencing anemia in Indonesia has increased 37.1% compared to 2018 Riskesdas. The incidence of stunting is also influenced by the anemia and nutritional status of the mother during pregnancy. The implementation of 1000HPK has been widely implemented in all districts and cities throughout Indonesia but there are still obstacles in policy integration and cross-sector coordination caused by a lack of understanding of the program so that priority placement is not determined. Aim: to obtain policy recommendations for improving programs to prevent and alleviate anemia and Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) for pregnant women through the process of prospective bride’s preparation. Research method: The method used Action research with 3 stages. The sample are key persons of 1000 HPK program which are Public Health Office, BKKBN, Midwifery and Nursing Health Providers, and Regional Ministry of Religion (Kemenag and KUA). 24 people participate in FGD and 5 people for the In-depth Interview which was carried out at a place agreed upon by the respondents. Results: of the research provide recommendations for the need for collaboration between schools and universities for health education, schools and community health centers in providing blood supplement tablets, the need for an SOP for administration flow and procurement flow for Fe tablets as well as evaluation and monitoring. Modifying Fe tablets to make them popular with teenagers, creating health check formats for use, utilizing research and community service results and utilizing digital-based communications. Conclusion: achieving the goals of the anemia policy program requires cooperation and collaboration between various stakeholders. Keywords: Policy, Anemia, CED, Pregnant Women, Prospective Brides

Epilepsy Among School-Children in a Rural District in Northwest India: Prevalence Estimates Using Three Different Approaches.

To estimate and compare the prevalence of epilepsy during childhood using several approaches and also to determine whether school-based screening campaigns can capture epilepsy cases efficiently. Epilepsy prevalence determined from cases captured through the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), a nationwide school-health screening framework, were compared with estimates derived from school- and community-based surveys in one Indian district. Level-1 screen comprised perusal of child health registers maintained by the RBSK teams over one year to estimate the documented number of children with epilepsy; Level-2 screen comprised a questionnaire-based school survey among 10,000 school children; and Level-3 screen-a door-to-door community-based survey among 10,000 children in the district. Prevalence estimates of childhood epilepsy varied significantly across screening methods. The child health register identified lower crude and age-adjusted prevalences of 40 (95%CI, 24 to 55) and 36 (95%CI, 20 to 51)/1,00,000 vis-à-vis both the school survey [crude and age-adjusted prevalences of 354 (95%CI, 221 to 487) and 340 (95%CI, 181 to 517) per 100,000] and the community survey [crude and age-adjusted prevalences of 759 (95%CI, 591 to 927) and 746 (95%CI, 579 to 914) per 100,000]. The community survey identified 15 children with epilepsy (20%) who had dropped out of school. Also, it recaptured a small number of children previously identified by the school or child health register surveys. The present findings underscore the need to scale up the capacity of public programs to screen epilepsy among school children and underline the high frequency of school dropouts among children with epilepsy in resource-limited settings.

Associations between mental health profiles and later school outcomes

The dual-factor model of mental health proposes that high wellbeing and low distress are necessary to define mental health. This study used latent profile analysis to identify mental health profiles in a sample of 3,587 Australian grade 6 students and explored the association between mental health profiles and school outcomes measured in grades 7 and 9. Six mental health profiles were identified: complete mental health (i.e. high wellbeing and low distress; 30%), moderately mentally healthy (i.e. average wellbeing and low distress; 18%), symptomatic but content (i.e. high wellbeing and above-average distress; 19%), vulnerable (i.e. low wellbeing and below-average distress; 6%), moderately troubled (i.e. below-average wellbeing and high distress; 19%), and troubled (i.e. low wellbeing and high distress; 8%). After statistical adjustment for potential confounders (gender, language background, socio-economic status, and geographical remoteness), students with complete mental health showed significantly higher academic achievement and school engagement one and three years later compared with students with all other mental health profiles. Students with vulnerable and troubled profiles experienced the poorest school outcomes sustained over time (grade 7 and grade 9). Implications for school-based interventions to support the mental health and wellbeing of students are discussed.

Nursing students training on domestic violence: How are we doing?

Introduction: Domestic violence is a public health problem. Evidence suggests deficits in nurses' knowledge and training in this area. Objectives: To identify the curricular units of the study plan for the Nursing degree course at a Health School in the north of Portugal that addresses the topic of domestic violence and identify improvement opportunities. Methodology: This is the first phase of an action-research study, with a qualitative exploratory and descriptive methodology and a non-probabilistic convenience sample. The following data collection instruments were used: documental analysis of the nursing degree study plan and a focus group with two fourth-year students and three professors. Results: No content related to the theme was identified in any of the curricular units. The focus group content analysis identified three categories: curricular program, importance of training, and opportunities for improvement. Conclusion: These results corroborate the available evidence, justifying and highlighting the relevance of the next phases of this study.

Being old is like…: perceptions of aging among healthcare profession students

BackgroundThis research explores the perspectives and attitudes of university students in health sciences towards aging and older adults. Given the intricate interplay of factors influencing attitudes toward aging, coupled with the demographic shift in Turkey from a youthful to an aging population, the study aims to discern how a cohort of university students perceives the aging process.MethodsEmploying a mixed-methods research strategy, which enhances the depth of data interpretation, the study utilized a questionnaire for quantitative data collection. Additionally, qualitative insights were gathered through a metaphor stem-completion item appended to the questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with students. The participants were selected from the Health Sciences Faculty and School of Medicine at a Turkish university.ResultsThe study revealed that participating students generally hold positive attitudes and demonstrate respect towards older adults. However, they also associate old age with negative aspects such as loss of autonomy and a constant need for assistance. Furthermore, older individuals are perceived as emotionally challenging and challenging to work with, irrespective of the nature and duration of interactions during their academic programs. These findings suggest a potential pathologizing perspective towards aging adults among health science students, who are prospective health professionals.ConclusionsThis paper discusses the implications of the study and offers insights for program coordinators, curriculum designers, and faculty members in health sciences. The results underscore the necessity for a heightened emphasis on gerontology-related subjects within health science curricula. This emphasis is crucial for cultivating a comprehensive understanding among students of the social, psychological, cognitive, and biological changes associated with aging.

Depression, anxiety, and student satisfaction with university life among college students: a cross-lagged study

Previous studies have shown that a high prevalence of depression and anxiety is a key factor leading to a decrease in student satisfaction with university life. Therefore, this study used two waves of longitudinal data to investigate the longitudinal relationships among depression, anxiety, and student satisfaction with university life among college students. We employed correlation analysis and cross-lagged models to analyze the correlation and cross-lagged relationships among depression, anxiety, and student satisfaction with university life. The results indicate a significant negative correlation between depression and student satisfaction with university life. The cross-lagged models indicate that depression (Time 1) negatively predicts student satisfaction with university life (Time 2). Anxiety (Time 1) does not have a significant predictive effect on student satisfaction with university life (Time 2). Moreover, student satisfaction with university life negatively predicts both depression (Time 2) and anxiety (Time 2). Improving student satisfaction with university life has a significant impact on reducing levels of depression and anxiety among college students. The research results can provide valuable information for mental health professionals, school administrators, and policymakers, enabling them to take more targeted measures to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms among university students and enhance student satisfaction with university life.

Ready to Learn: A Concept Analysis for the Intersection of Health and Education.

Since the inception of the National Education Goals in 1989, the United States has enacted policies focused on student readiness to learn, but there is no single or clear definition of ready to learn. Education quality and access are social determinants of health. However, students do not learn well if they are not healthy. This concept analysis explores the connection between health and education across multiple domains. Utilizing the Walker-Avant method, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and the Journal of School Nursing were searched for literature related to ready to learn. Definitions were synthesized from the literature, resulting in a concept of ready to learn encompassing health and thriving at individual, family, school, and community levels. Ready to learn is the result of multiple domains working synergistically to support health and thriving across the lifespan. School health practice improves with a robust understanding of this ready to learn model.

Integrating Spirituality in Health Science Education: An Empirical Study of University Students and Lecturers

This research interrogates the integration of spirituality in health science education through a semi-structured survey of 23 nursing students as well as semi-structured surveys and focus group interviews conducted with seven lecturers in the school of health sciences at St. Paul’s University, Kenya. The research acknowledges the way in which the COVID pandemic has foregrounded public health issues such as stress, mental health, and trauma in the specific areas of student self-care, nursing practice, curriculum review, and faculty training and development. Conducted by a theologian and health scientist, this study utilizes an integrative model of faith and science to demonstrate the need for integrating spirituality in health science education within the context of Christian higher education.

Communication Disparities and Trusted Sources of COVID-19 Information in Massachusetts School Districts.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of prekindergarten to grade 12 schools and an inequitable return to full-time in-person learning. To explore how ethnic and racial differences across school districts in Massachusetts correlate with parents' attitudes, beliefs, and trusted sources of information about COVID-19 and mitigation strategies. An electronic survey was distributed by school administrators to parents and guardians in November and December 2021 using existing school district contact lists and established methods of communication (email in 2 school districts; email and text message in 1 district). Three school districts in Massachusetts (Chelsea, Medford, and Somerville). Parents of prekindergarten to grade 12 school students attending public schools. Parental attitudes and beliefs regarding mitigation strategies for COVID-19 (surveillance testing, masking, and vaccination); trusted information sources about COVID-19; preferred methods of communication from schools. A total of 1496 survey responses were analyzed. Chelsea respondents were predominantly Hispanic/LatinX (88%); Medford and Somerville were predominantly White/non-Hispanic (80% and 68%, respectively). Testing, masks, and vaccination were supported by >80% of parents/guardians across districts. However, there were statistically significant differences between school districts regarding participation in testing programs, implications of a child testing positive, vaccination of young children, communication preferences, and trusted sources of information. Although primarily focused on COVID-19, these results highlight opportunities for public health personnel and school administrators to work directly with parents and guardians in their school districts to improve communication strategies and be a trusted source of information for a variety of public health issues.

Adesão ao uso da estratégia NutriSUS para fortificação alimentar infantil em municípios de Goiás

Introduction: The high demand for nutrients in children under five years of age, added to low nutritious diets, makes them vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies. The NutriSUS Strategy, launched as part of the School Health Program (PSE) in 2014, aims to combat these deficiencies through the distribution of micronutrient sachets. The effectiveness of this strategy in Goiás, considering the weaknesses in the municipalities, needs to be evaluated. The objective of this study was to verify adherence to the NutriSUS Strategy in municipalities in the state of Goiás and the list of sachets used by agreed and added day care centers. Methods: A retrospective observational study analyzed data on micronutrient supplementation provided by the NutriSUS Strategy in the state of Goiás, between 2017 and 2019. The database available on the Ministry of Health website was used to identify adherence and coverage of the program in 10 regional health departments. The inclusion criteria were municipalities that implemented the strategy during the period studied, while those that did not adhere or did not show interest were excluded. The analysis was performed using absolute and relative frequencies in the EPI Info 7.2.6.0 program. Results: The NutriSUS Strategy was implemented in 35 (14.23%) of the total municipalities (n=246). Micronutrient supplementation targets were constant throughout the period from 2017 to 2019, with some cities, such as Araguapaz, Britânia, and Santa Helena de Goiás, exceeding their supplementation targets in some of the periods, while others, such as Aragarças, Hidrolândia, Piracanjuba, São Luís de Montes Belos, and Buriti Alegre, did not reach the expected targets. The analysis, by semester of supplementation coverage in daycare centers, showed significant fluctuations: a drop in 2017 from 45.44% to 32.60% from the first to the second semester. In 2018, the percentage was 34.43% in the first half of the year, but there was a significant increase to 52.37% in the second half of the year. In 2019, coverage rose to an average of 61.63% in the first half, followed by a drop to 35.74% in the second half. The data also revealed variations in standard deviation, reflecting fluctuations in program adherence. Conclusion: The NutriSUS Strategy showed a variable implementation in the municipalities of Goiás in the period studied, with fluctuations in supplementation coverage over time. The analysis highlighted both success in some locations and difficulties in others, highlighting the importance of continuously monitoring and adjusting supplementation strategies to ensure that all counties adequately benefit children from micronutrient supplementation.

Políticas públicas: O papel do Programa Saúde na Escola (PSE) como ferramenta para a integração entre saúde e educação

This research analyzed the School Health Program (PSE) as a tool for the integration between health and education, highlighting its importance and impact on the integral development of students. The objective was to evaluate how the PSE articulates the health and education networks to improve the quality of life and school performance of children and adolescents. A bibliographic research methodology was used, with a survey of articles on the SciELO, Web Of Science and Google Scholar platforms. The results showed that the PSE promotes an effective intersectoral approach, offering preventive and health promotion actions in schools, such as vaccination, visual screening, physical exercises, and educational campaigns. The analysis revealed that the program contributes to the reduction of social inequalities and improves the school environment by integrating health into the educational process. The conclusion reaffirms that the PSE is an innovative and essential strategy, as it combines health care and teaching to prepare students for academic and social challenges, demonstrating the effectiveness of public policies that promote intersectoral integration and the balanced development of the new generations.

School Perceptions and Attendance for Children With Medical Complexity During COVID-19 Over Time.

Disparities in school attendance exist for children with medical complexity (CMC) due to COVID-19. Longitudinal changes in family-reported school safety perceptions and predictors of full-time, in-person school attendance are unknown. This was a prospective, longitudinal cohort study with 3 survey waves (June 2021-June 2022) among English- and Spanish-speaking families of CMC aged 5 to 17 years and pre-pandemic school attendance. Changes in Health Belief Model perceptions and full-time in-person school attendance were estimated using multivariate generalized linear modeling with repeated measures. Among 1601 respondents (52.9% of 3073 invited), 86.8% participated in all 3 surveys. School safety perceptions improved with time; however, perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 increased. Full-time in-person school attendance rose from 48.4% to 90.0% from wave 1 to 3 (p < .0001), and was associated with motivation, benefits, and cues. For example, families with low compared to high motivation for in-person attendance had 76% versus 98% predicted probability for child's school attendance, respectively at wave 3 (p < .0001). Probability of full-time in-person school attendance was associated with several health belief model perceptions. School health policy and programs may benefit from promoting family motivation, benefits, and cues during future respiratory illness epidemics including COVID-19. In-person school attendance improved for CMC over time. Opportunities exist to continue optimizing in-person attendance and family-perceived safety for CMC at school.

Varying optimal power for height-standardisation of childhood weight, fat mass and fat-free mass across the obesity epidemic.

Childhood adiposity markers can be standardised for height in the form of indices (marker/heightp) to make meaningful comparisons of adiposity patterns within and between individuals of differing heights. The optimal value of p has been shown to differ by birth year, sex, age, and ethnicity. We investigated whether height powers for childhood weight and fat mass (FM) differed by birth year, sex, or age over the period before and during the child obesity epidemic in Copenhagen. Population-based cross-sectional study of 391,801 schoolchildren aged 7 years, 10 years and 13 years, born between 1930 and 1996, from the Copenhagen School Health Records Register. Sex- and age-specific estimates of the height powers for weight and FM were obtained using log-log regression, stratified by a decade of birth. For weight, amongst children born 1930-39, optimal height powers at 7 years were 2.20 (95% CI: 2.19-2.22) for boys and 2.28 (95% CI: 2.26-2.30) for girls. These increased with birth year to 2.82 (95% CI: 2.76-2.87) and 2.92 (95% CI: 2.87-2.97) for boys and girls born in 1990-96, respectively. For FM, amongst those born 1930-39, powers at 7 years were 2.46 (95% CI: 2.42-2.51) and 2.58 (95% CI: 2.53-2.63) for boys and girls, respectively, and increased with birth year reaching 3.89 (95% CI: 3.75-4.02) and 3.93 (95% CI: 3.80-4.06) for boys and girls born 1990-96, respectively. Powers within birth cohort groups for weight and FM were higher at 10 years than at 7 years, though similar increases across groups were observed at both ages. At 13 years, height powers for weight and FM initially increased with the birth year before declining from the 1970s/80s. Due to increases in the standard deviation of weight and FM during the obesity epidemic, optimal height powers needed to standardise childhood weight and FM varied by birth year, sex, and age. Adiposity indices using a uniform height power mean different things for different birth cohort groups, sexes, and ages thus should be interpreted with caution. Alternative methods to account for height in epidemiological analyses are needed.