This article surveys research and opinion on Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), its causes, symptoms, and treatment and the implications of each for women. Researchers and medical service providers are urged to consider all factors--physical, social, and emotional--which play a role in causing PMS before diagnosing and treating the disorder. (JL)

Three studies assessing the Eating and Exercise Behavior Questionnaire indicated that it is reliable and useful in studying the eating patterns of the obese, differences in behavioral cue responses to eating, and multiple and single session weight loss training effectiveness.The research utility of the instrument is discussed. (CB)

A review of the literature on the use of the self-efficacy model for weight control raised several areas of concern, including differences between losing weight and maintaining weight loss, ethical questions, and misguided interpretations of the model's effectiveness. The need for comprehensive, well-planned research is stressed. (CB)

Weight loss clinics based on scientific fact and containing diet therapy, exercise therapy, and behavior modification components can be effective vehicles for weight loss among the mildly to moderately obese. Health educators are called on to disseminate the information necessary to establish scientifically based criteria and program evaluation…

A review of research regarding athletes' eating habits suggests that they may practice eating disorder habits and poor weight management behaviors as well as have poor attitudes and knowledge regarding nutrition, indicating their immediate need for appropriate education about the possible detrimental effects of such practices. (CB)

The first step in planning a healthy heart nutrition program for a rural American Indian population involved surveying the foods available at local grocery stores. Some healthy foods were found to be unavailable or very expensive. Awareness of the cultural acceptability of foods is emphasized. (CB)

Disadvantaged children exposed to an audiotape progressive relaxation program did not experience significant changes in total performance or psychological distress as compared to children not exposed to the program, although some differences were seen. Further testing of the utility of audiotaped relaxation is recommended. (CB)

The article summarizes procedures in the development of a valid and reliable instrument for measuring three social components of alienation (isolation, powerlessness, and normlessness) in 10- to 14-year-olds and discusses the instrument's practical applications for school and community health educators, parents, and other professionals who…

The Simulation Game is proposed as a means of sensitizing professionals to problems and dilemmas of key team members (social workers, nurses, health educators, physicians, and clinical psychologists) in geriatric health care. The game involves role playing from cards which present difficult issues and cases in such care. (CB)

Comparison of the attitudes of senior health education majors before and after a field experience suggested that such experiences personally reinforced competencies students learned in their professional preparation programs. (CB)

The Society for Public Health Education's (SOPHE) three midyear scientific symposia were evaluated by all SOPHE members who attended and 10 percent of those who did not. Ninety percent learned something relevant to their work; 33-50 percent made business contacts; 20 percent increased their participation in association activities because of the…

This article shows how the Health Belief Model, social learning theory, and locus of control may be related and posits an explanatory model that incorporates self-efficacy into the Health Belief Model. Self-efficacy is proposed as an independent variable with the traditional variables of perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers.…

The results of the Project TRANSITION study show the ability of institutionalized, severely, profoundly mentally retarded adults to increase levels of independence in personal health skills. The data indicate that the curriculum and scoring system developed were used effectively to train and monitor selected personal health skills of severely…

Guidelines presented by the Centers for Disease Control for effective preventive education about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) cover planning and implementing AIDS education programs, education personnel preparation, purposes and content specific to the various grade levels, curriculum time and resources, and program assessment. (CB)

An exploratory study attempting to identify variables associated with implementation of the Teenage Health Teaching Modules revealed that the single best predictor of curriculum implementation was the teacher's evaluation of inservice training specific to the modules. (CB)