Study examined the extent to which health and nutrition instruction affected eighth and tenth graders' knowledge, eating behavior, and dieting practices. Dieting was most common among girls. Exposure to health and nutrition instruction resulted in some increased knowledge. There was a low overall score for nutrition knowledge among all students.…

Reports a study that evaluated the appropriateness and effectiveness of a self-help manual for postsecondary education students who used smokeless tobacco. Students participated in groups that received either two or four sessions of support for using the self-help manual. Results indicated both groups produced similar cessation rates. (SM)

Reports a study that examined acculturation and its association with smoking and other correlates of smoking for Latino seventh graders. Students completed surveys on demographics, smoking prevalence, parent attitudes, and acculturation. Results indicated that as young Latinos became more acculturated, psychosocial influences on smoking changed…

Reports a study that examined the utility of health and exercise locus of control and health and exercise value in predicting exercise behavior in 86 adults. Survey results indicated that exercise locus of control was a better predictor of exercise behavior than a more general measure of health locus of control. (Author/SM)

This study examined stages of drug habit acquisition and change among college students, basing the proposed stages of drug use on the Multi-Component Motivational Stages prevention model. Surveys indicated the model helped explain the stages of substance use. The proportion of youths at each stage differed by type of drug. (SM)

Examines cultural factors associated with pregnancy among Hispanic adolescents, highlighting policy areas within the health care delivery system that must be addressed. The paper discusses migratory patterns and service needs, acculturation and pregnancy, valuing of children, access to health services, the role of the health practitioner, and…

Analysis of data from the South Carolina School/Community Program for Sexual Risk Reduction among Teens looked at the effects of demographic and psychosocial factors on females' decisions to engage in premarital sexual intercourse. Age, family structure, peer influence, commitment to partner, and sexual attitudes directly affected premarital…

This article describes cardiovascular problems of minority populations, exploring ways that churches can help their communities and describing the outcomes of a model intervention on four African American churches in rural north Florida. Positive outcomes were observed, particularly regarding community members' participation in health promotion…

This study examined whether the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System was a valid self-report instrument for gathering alcohol consumption information. College students completed surveys regarding alcohol consumption and social desirability level. No significant relationship was found between social desirability and drinking behavior. The survey…

Describes the culturally sophisticated community mobilization and educational strategies used to develop, implement, and evaluate a cholesterol education, screening, and referral intervention that effectively elicited the participation of underserved African Americans traditionally unresponsive to such efforts. The paper presents recommendations…

A study compared police officers' physical fitness levels with workers' compensation (WC) claims. Officers who collected WC were predominantly female, younger, and lower ranking, with better physical fitness than officers not collecting WC. Officers in the second highest fitness level and older officers with greater cardiovascular fitness had…

This paper examines, from a quantitative psychological perspective, recent literature on shame and its relationship to behavioral disorders for applicability to university health education. Topics cover shame and mental illness, eating disorders, substance abuse, and the measurement of shame. A curriculum for psychological health is discussed.…

This study investigated the prediction of the self-reported occurrence of 14 violent events among ethnically diverse eighth graders from psychosocial variables measured in the same youths in seventh grade (tobacco and alcohol use, and demographic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal variables). Data analysis provided support for an extension of…

Reports a study that examined the attitudes of Georgia citizens and legislators toward funding for specific health care services and national health insurance. Legislators were less in favor of national health insurance than were citizens. Both groups set a high priority on providing a wide range of health care services to everyone. (SM)

Describes the evaluation of various components of a self-help smokeless tobacco cessation manual that used relapse prevention, social contracting, and peer education to help high school seniors. Results suggest that use of the manual effectively helped reduce smokeless tobacco use. Recommendations for persons using the manual are included. (SM)