Surveys of 194 undergraduate students examined the relationship of cognitive egocentrism, self-monitoring, and reasons for drinking to amounts of alcohol actually consumed. Results indicated that the cognitive processes involved in alcohol consumption differed by sex. Reasons for drinking were most strongly related to predicted alcohol…

Surveys of State Directors of Public Health Education and Directors of AIDS regarding the status and etiology of AIDS indicated most subjects considered the AIDS epidemic more prevalent than it could have been. Of the 28 etiological factors, 32% of respondents believed that continued risky behavior because of perceived invulnerability had the…

The article reports a study that examined relationships between self-esteem, health promotion, nutrition, and weight among female college freshmen. Questionnaires completed by 57 female students indicated that high self-esteem positively related to the practice of healthy behaviors, good nutrition, and satisfaction with present weight. (SM)

Encourages high school physical educators to engage their students in experiences that facilitate the acquisition of critical thinking skills, examining two lessons that highlight the extent of student engagement in critical thinking task demands. Suggestions are provided for planning lessons that include conscious efforts to engage students in…

Researchers assessed grading practices in college personal health (PH) courses, examining students' PH grades and comparing them with other course grades for 29 semesters. Certain students completed the Health Knowledge Inventory before and after PH courses. Though PH students received relatively high grades, they experienced only modest health…

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…

This study explored the impact of socioeconomic status on 32,852 females' sedentary behavior. Survey data indicated the prevalence of sedentary behavior was 30% among white women and 45% among black women, decreasing for both groups as socioeconomic status increased; leisure time sedentary behavior increased with age. (SM)

Reviews the latest statistics relative to tobacco consumption, the health consequences of cigarette use, and future U.S. smoking trends projected through the year 2000. Smoking statistics are presented by ethnicity, gender, educational status, and brand preferences. Also provided are factors contributing to smoking initiation. (GLR)

A cross-sectional survey of Indiana preschoolers compared their ranking of health as a value relative to selected non-health-related values, noting the effect of demographic variables. Although subjects ranked health as high, it was perceived as less important than rules. Significant group differences were observed for variables of subject race,…

Surveys of factors associated with mothers' interest and participation in community task forces for preventing adolescent alcohol use, as part of Minnesota's Project Northland, found nine factors related to interest and participation (e.g., membership in community organizations and contact with parents of children's friends to discuss…

Study examined relationships between self-esteem, health values, specific health behaviors, and general practice of wellness behaviors in Navy personnel. Lifestyle surveys indicated health values predicted specific health behaviors and general practice of wellness behaviors. After controlling for health values, self-esteem predicted general…

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)

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…

Telephone survey examined relationships between safety behaviors to reduce the risk of childhood injury and parents' socioeconomic, psychosocial, and situational characteristics. Results indicated socioeconomic status and maternal stress negatively related to safety behaviors, and risk perceptions positively related to safety behaviors, suggesting…