Parent Perceptions and Opinions of Universal Free School Meals in Arizona.

To support families during the COVID-19 pandemic, the USDA allowed all US schools to offer meals at no cost regardless of family income, a policy referred to as Universal Free Meals or Healthy School Meals for All (HSM4A). Despite the recognized benefits and popularity of HSM4A during the pandemic, the policy expired in June 2022. The goal of this study was to gather perceptions of parents in Arizona about school meals, the HSM4A program, and the discontinuation of HSM4A. In collaboration with a local anti-hunger group, using an online survey distributed in September and October 2022, we collected data from a diverse sample of over 2000 parents living in Arizona. Parents unequivocally supported HSM4A during the pandemic (97%) and expressed support for continuing to offer HSM4A (95%). High levels of support were seen across all groups in the study, including from individuals who identified as politically conservative. We also analyzed 750 responses to an open-ended question asking respondents to share their thoughts about offering meals to all Arizona students regardless of family income. The majority of emergent themes related to perceived benefits of HSM4A, including reducing financial burden and stress for families. Our findings will be useful for advocates and policy makers considering HSM4A legislation.

Preschool teachers display a flexible pattern of pedagogical actions in promoting healthy habits in children.

The school represents the optimal setting for promoting the physical, emotional, and social health of children, especially during the first years of life. Understanding the pedagogical actions of teachers to address health education is an important first step in promoting healthy behaviors in children. We inhere analyzed the pedagogical action patterns in the preschool teaching of healthy habits from a holistic health perspective. We used photography as a strategy for data collection and applied a Chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) classification tree, a data mining procedure, to generate a pattern model. We found that the school space and the learning playfulness strategies for the development of executive functions, classified according to the exercise, symbolic, assembly, rules (ESAR) model, were the main factors that influence the pedagogical actions fostering healthy habits. By contrast, the school and the pedagogical resources of the classroom are factors with a much smaller impact on working with healthy habits. This pedagogical action pattern is flexible, since teachers conduct a multiplicity of pedagogical actions through different strategies, in different school spaces, at any time. In conclusion, our results unmask the interdependent relationships between the different factors that determine the teacher's actions at the preschool. It also contributes to the understanding of the teacher's practices in fostering healthy habits in a healthy learning environment.

[School health promotion from Ottawa to today: opportunities and challenges]. / Schulische Gesundheitsförderung von Ottawa bis heute: Chancen und Herausforderungen.

A look back at the now 30-year history of school health promotion in Germany reveals lines of development that are helpful in understanding the past and that open the view for future opportunities and challenges. In this article, school health promotion will be considered from three perspectives: as a field of practice, a field of research, and a field of policy.In the practice field, health promotion in schools is confronted with a situation characterized by long-standing restrictions that have been imposed on students, teachers, and heads of schools. These measures are many and varied, but three forms of implementation that have developed from common roots can be identified: (a) behavioural approach, (b) health promoting school, and (c) good healthy school. "Health literacy" and the "health literate school" represent recent developments. In the research field, it is apparent that opportunities for evaluation are often underutilized, but in settings-based approaches they also face significant hurdles. However, in questions of dissemination and implementation strategies, which are further important research fields, clear progress has been made. In the policy field, important milestones have been set with the Preventive Care Act of 2015, the prevention guideline of the GKV (National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds), the recommendations of the KMK 2012 (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs), and with the concept of the DGUV (German Social Accident Insurance) in 2013. School legislation of the federal states and the quality concepts of good schools show how health management can be linked with the educational quality management in schools.In conclusion, it is evident that a framework for school health promotion that would guide and link theory-based research and practice is still lacking.

Vitamin D Status and Health Outcomes in School Children in Northern Ireland: Year One Results from the D-VinCHI Study.

(1) Background: Vitamin D status has never been investigated in children in Northern Ireland (UK). (2) Methods: Children (4-11 years) (n = 47) were recruited from November 2019 to March 2020 onto the cross-sectional study. Anthropometry was assessed. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was analysed. Vitamin D intake, parental knowledge and perceptions, participant habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviour were established via questionnaire. Muscle strength was assessed via isometric grip strength dynamometry and balance via dominant single-leg and tandem stance. Parathyroid hormone, bone turnover markers (OC, CTX and P1NP), glycated haemoglobin and inflammatory markers (CRP, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α) were analysed. (3) Results: Mean (SD) 25(OH)D was 49.17 (17.04) nmol/L (n = 47); 44.7% of the children were vitamin D sufficient (25(OH)D >50 nmol/L), 48.9% were insufficient (25-50 nmol/L) and 6.4% were deficient (<25 nmol/L). 25(OH)D was positively correlated with vitamin D intake (µg/day) (p = 0.012, r = 0.374), spring/summer outdoor hours (p = 0.006, r = 0.402) and dominant grip strength (kg) (p = 0.044, r = 0.317). Vitamin D sufficient participants had higher dietary vitamin D intake (µg/day) (p = 0.021), supplement intake (µg/day) (p = 0.028) and spring/summer outdoor hours (p = 0.015). (4) Conclusion: Over half of the children were vitamin D deficient or insufficient. Wintertime supplementation, the consumption of vitamin D rich foods and spring/summer outdoor activities should be encouraged to minimise the risk of vitamin D inadequacy.

Supporting schools during the implementation of the health-promoting school approach: The roles of a healthy school advisor.

Introduction: The health-promoting school (HPS) approach was developed by the World Health Organization to create health promotion changes in the whole school system. Implementing the approach can be challenging for schools because schools are dynamic organizations with each a unique context. Many countries worldwide have a health promotion system in place in which healthy school (HS) advisors support schools in the process of implementing the HPS approach. Even though these HS advisors can take on various roles to provide support in an adaptive and context-oriented manner, these roles have not yet been described. The current study aims to identify and describe the key roles of the HS advisor when supporting schools during the dynamic process of implementing the HPS approach. Methods: The study was part of a project in which a capacity-building module was developed for and with HS advisors in the Netherlands. In the current study, a co-creation process enabled by participatory research was used in which researchers, HS advisors, national representatives, and coordinators of the Dutch HS program participated. Co-creation processes took place between October 2020 and November 2021 and consisted of four phases: (1) a narrative review of the literature, (2) interviews, (3) focus groups, and (4) a final check. Results: Five roles were identified. The role of "navigator" as a more central one and four other roles: "linking pin," "expert in the field," "critical friend," and "ambassador of the HPS approach." The (final) description of the five roles was recognizable for the HS advisors that participated in the study, and they indicated that it provided a comprehensive overview of the work of an HS advisor in the Netherlands. Discussion: The roles can provide guidance to all Dutch HS advisors and the regional public health organizations that employ them on what is needed to provide sufficient and context-oriented support to schools. These roles can inspire and guide people from other countries to adapt the roles to their own national context.

Sedentary activity bout length was associated with BMI and waist circumference in Swedish children aged 5-7 years.

AIM: This study examined the pattern of sedentary behaviour during the week and on weekends and associations with health outcomes among children aged 5-7 years in Sweden. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from 342 children, many of whom had at least one parent born outside the Nordic region. Physical activity and sedentary time were measured by accelerometry. A sedentary bout was defined as 1-4 and 5-9 min. Diet, time in front of television or computer screen, sleep and physical activity behaviour were measured via parental reports, and anthropometric data by research staff. RESULTS: The number of sedentary bouts was higher on weekends than on weekdays. Compared to girls, boys had more 1-4 min bouts on both weekdays and weekend days, and more 5-9 min bouts on weekends. A higher number of 5-9 min bouts was associated with a higher body mass index and waist circumference. CONCLUSION: This study showed an association between sedentary activity and weight status in children as young as 5-7 years. Reducing time, especially longer bouts, spent in sedentary activities may encourage healthy weight development in children.

Effectiveness of school-based health promotion interventions prioritized by stakeholders from health and education sectors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Childhood obesity and associated modifiable risk factors exert significant burden on the health care system. The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the effectiveness of school-based intervention types perceived by Canadian stakeholders in health and education as feasible, acceptable and sustainable in terms of improving physical activity (PA), fruit and vegetable intake, and body weight. We searched multiple databases for studies that evaluated school-based interventions to prevent obesity and associated risk factors (i.e., unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour) in children aged 4-18 years from January 1, 2012 to January 28, 2020. From 10,871 identified records, we included 83 and 80 studies in our systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. Comprehensive School Health (CSH) and interventions which focused on modifications to school nutrition policies showed statistically significant positive effects on fruit intake of 0.13 (95% CI: 0.04, 0.23) and 0.30 (95% CI: 0.1, 0.51) servings per day, respectively. No intervention types showed statistically significant effect on vegetable intake. CSH, modifications to physical education (PE) curriculum, and multicomponent interventions showed statistically significant difference in BMI of -0.26 (95% CI: -0.40, -0.12), -0.16 (95% CI: -0.3, -0.02), and -0.18 (95% CI: -0.29, -0.07), respectively. CSH interventions showed positive effect on step-count per day, but no other types of interventions showed significant effect on any of PA outcome measures. Thus, the results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that decision-makers should carefully consider CSH, multicomponent interventions, modifications to PE curricula and school nutrition policies to prevent childhood obesity.

The Impact of a Gradual Healthier Assortment among Vocational Schools Participating in a School Canteen Programme: Evidence from Sales and Student Survey Data.

Many adolescents have poor eating habits. As a major part of their caloric intake takes place at school, the present study aims to examine the effect of increasing the availability of healthier foods in school canteens on sales, student attitude and self-reported behaviour. A quasi-experimental study was carried out at two vocational schools in the Netherlands over a 10-month period, where the visible share of healthier products was gradually or abruptly increased from 60% to 80%. Outcome measures were sales data for healthier and less healthy foods and drinks in the canteens, as well as surveys. The proportion of healthier products sold increased from 31.1% during the baseline period to 35.9% in the final period. A gradual increase led to higher relative sales of healthier products (40%) than an abrupt change (34.5%). Survey data showed that students' moderate satisfaction remained insensitive to the changes over time. Overall, results suggest that increasing the availability of healthier products in school canteens leads to small positive changes in sales of products, particularly in the product groups beverages and sandwiches. A gradual introduction may ensure that students slowly get used to assortment changes.

Adolescents' Physical Activity in Education Systems Varying in the Number of Weekly Physical Education Lessons.

Purpose: School physical activity (SPA) is a significant component of daily PA. We investigated differences in PA between boys and girls in two differing education systems-Poland and the Czech Republic-which have four and two physical education lessons (PELs) per week, respectively. Method: This project was conducted from 2012-2016 at 17 Polish and 23 Czech secondary schools (N = 921; mean age = 16.2 ± 0.7 years). ActiTrainer accelerometers were used to monitor participants' PA and heart rate during school days. Weekly PA was measured using pedometers. Subjective levels of weekly PA were self-reported on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form. Results: The Polish education system enabled adolescents to meet the recommendations for moderate-to-vigorous PA more likely than did the Czech system. SPA also represented a higher portion of daily PA in the Polish (vs. Czech system); however, the differences in total daily step count between Polish and Czech adolescents were non-significant. SPA accounted for 30-37% of the daily PA (as measured by step count) of Polish girls (23-30% of Czech girls) and 28-39% of Polish boys (25-37% of Czech boys). Conclusions: Participation in PELs was associated with a higher rate of meeting SPA recommendations in both countries. Compared with the Czech Republic, more PELs in the Polish education system was associated with increased daily vigorous PA and a greater portion of SPA in daily PA. Differences in overall daily and weekly moderate-to-vigorous PA between Polish and Czech adolescents were non-significant.

Vida sentimental y cortejo adolescente en el ámbito de la convivencia escolar y juvenil / Adolescent Flirting and Sentimental Life in School and Juvenile Settings / Vida sentimental e namoro adolescente no âmbito da convivência escolar e juvenil

Resumen Objetivo. La investigación está haciendo evidente que los procesos psicoevolutivos de cortejo e inicio de las primeras relaciones sentimentales inciden en la vida social de los centros escolares. La convivencia escolar es un constructo complejo que exige el análisis de todos los elementos relevantes para el bienestar de los miembros de la comunidad educativa. Este trabajo presenta un estudio sobre las experiencias sentimentales durante la adolescencia y su asociación con el bienestar subjetivo, o satisfacción percibida con diversos ámbitos de la vida. Método. Se utilizó una muestra representativa conformada por 2512 participantes de entre 11 y 18 años (49.8% chicas; edad media = 14.33; DT = 1.68), escolarizados en centros públicos y privados de Andalucía, España. Resultados. Se observó que la experiencia sentimental ejercía un efecto positivo en el bienestar subjetivo de los y las participantes y que aumentaba con la edad, encontrando diferencias significativas entre los sexos. Conclusión. Estos resultados se discuten en términos de las posibles implicaciones que, para la convivencia escolar, puede tener una buena gestión psicoeducativa del proceso de cortejo, y la necesidad de incluir esta meta en el proyecto educativo de los centros escolares.

Abstract Objective. This research evaluates the manner in which psycho-evolutional processes of flirting and the initiation of the first sentimental relationships come into play in the social life in schools. Healthy school relationships are complex constructions that must be studied thoroughly for the wellbeing of the members of the educational community. This research presents a study of adolescent sentimental experiences and their relationship to subjective wellbeing, or perceived satisfaction in diverse settings of life. Method. A sample of 2512 participants between 11 and 18 years old was used (49.8% girls; median age = 14.33; TD = 1.68), students from public and private institutions in Andalucía, Spain. Results. A positive effect, brought about by sentimental experience, was observed in the subjective wellbeing of the participants; this increased with the age of the participant. There were significant differences between the sexes. Conclusion. These results are discussed in terms of the possible implications for healthy school relationships on the positive psycho-educational management of flirting, and the need to include this goal in the educational projects of educational centers.

Resumo Escopo. A pesquisa está fazendo evidente que os processos psicoevolutivos do namoro e início das primeiras relações sentimentais incidem na vida social dos centros escolares. A convivência escolar é um construto complexo que exige a análise de todos os elementos relevantes para o bem-estar dos membros da comunidade educativa. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre as experiências sentimentais durante a adolescência e sua associação com o bem-estar subjetivo, ou satisfação percebida com diversos âmbitos da vida. Metodologia. Foi utilizada uma amostra representativa conformada por 2512 participantes de entre 11 e 18 anos de idade (49.8% mulheres, idade média=14.33; DT=1.68), escolarizados em centros públicos e privados de Andaluzia, Espanha. Resultados. Foi observado que a experiência sentimental exerceu um efeito positivo no bem-estar subjetivo dos e das participantes e que aumentava com a idade, achando diferenças significativas entre os sexos. Conclusão. Estes resultados são discutidos em termos das possíveis implicações que, para a convivência escolar, pode ter uma boa gestão psicoeducativa do processo de namoro, e a necessidade de incluir esta meta no projeto educativo dos centros escolares.

Psychometric Properties of a Scale to Assess Parental Self-Efficacy for Influencing Children's Dietary, Physical Activity, Sedentary, and Screen Time Behaviors in Disadvantaged Areas.

BACKGROUND: According to social cognitive theory, self-efficacy is central to behavior change. Consequently, parental self-efficacy (PSE) for influencing children's dietary, physical activity (PA), sedentary, and screen time behaviors is important for child obesity prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of an instrument to measure PSE regarding these behaviors in disadvantaged areas. METHOD: Parents ( n = 229) of whom 47% had completed secondary school or less, and who participated in the Healthy School Start trial, responded to a 15-item PSE instrument. Children's diet and screen time were measured through parent reports. PA and sedentary behaviors were measured using accelerometers. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), criterion validity by correlations with child behaviors, and internal consistency by Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The EFA yielded three factors: (a) PSE for promoting PA; (b) PSE for limiting intake of unhealthy foods, unhealthy drinks, and screen time; and (c) PSE for promoting intake of fruits and vegetables, all with acceptable to good internal consistency (α = .77-.81). Significant correlations ( p < .01) were found between children's dietary ( rs = -.19 to -.29) and screen time ( r = -.29) behaviors and Factor 2, and dietary behaviors and Factor 3 ( rs = .20-.39) but not regarding PA and sedentary behaviors and Factor 1. CONCLUSION: The instrument demonstrated good construct validity and acceptable to good internal consistency regarding all but PA behaviors. It may be useful for assessing PSE in child obesity prevention interventions in disadvantaged settings after some refinement.

Current Status and Suggested Future Directions of Nutrition Intervention using Healthy School Tuck Shops: the Teenage Perspective / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the current status and to suggest future directions for health management of teenagers who use healthy school tuck shops to improve teenagers' eating habits while reducing and preventing obesity. METHODS: A total of 29 students (16 middle school students and 13 high school students) took part in the interview for this study, and the interview was conducted for each school's focus group by using qualitative research methodology. RESULTS: The current status of using healthy school tuck shops and suggested future directions were divided into two categories. Personal barriers such as discrepancies between personal perceptions and behaviors and lack of food choice suitable to individual tastes can be solved by rebuilding the operating system to provide intuitive promotion of behavior and customized products through improvements in existing products and new product development. A lack of consistent management from low utilization convenience and difficulty in maintaining a constant purchase price can be handled by establishing a solution to restricted physical access for products, as well as seeking profit by improving distribution costs via continuous cooperation between the school and community. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous funding and a system that reflects the needs and preferences of healthy school tuck shop users should be applied for sustainable operation of healthy school tuck shops to improve teenagers' eating habits.

Current Status and Suggested Future Directions of Nutrition Intervention using Healthy School Tuck Shops: the Teenage Perspective / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the current status and to suggest future directions for health management of teenagers who use healthy school tuck shops to improve teenagers' eating habits while reducing and preventing obesity. METHODS: A total of 29 students (16 middle school students and 13 high school students) took part in the interview for this study, and the interview was conducted for each school's focus group by using qualitative research methodology. RESULTS: The current status of using healthy school tuck shops and suggested future directions were divided into two categories. Personal barriers such as discrepancies between personal perceptions and behaviors and lack of food choice suitable to individual tastes can be solved by rebuilding the operating system to provide intuitive promotion of behavior and customized products through improvements in existing products and new product development. A lack of consistent management from low utilization convenience and difficulty in maintaining a constant purchase price can be handled by establishing a solution to restricted physical access for products, as well as seeking profit by improving distribution costs via continuous cooperation between the school and community. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous funding and a system that reflects the needs and preferences of healthy school tuck shop users should be applied for sustainable operation of healthy school tuck shops to improve teenagers' eating habits.

A Youth-Led, Social Marketing Intervention Run by Adolescents to Encourage Healthy Lifestyles among Younger School Peers (EYTO-Kids Project): A Protocol for Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (Spain).

INTRODUCTION: The EYTO-kids (European Youth Tackling Obesity in Adolescents and Children) study aims to increase fruit and/or vegetable consumption and physical activity, decrease sedentary lifestyles, and reduce the intake of sugary drinks and fast food using an innovative methodology based on social marketing and youth involvement. METHODS: This study is a pilot school-based cluster randomized controlled 10-month intervention spanning two academic years (2015-2016 and 2016-2017), with eight primary schools and three high schools randomized into and designated the control group and eight primary schools and four high schools designated the intervention group in Reus, Spain. At least 301 younger school peers per group should be included. At the intervention high schools, the adolescent creators (ACs) receive an initial 16-h training session. In total, 26-32 high school ACs (12-14 years) from the four high schools will design and implement four health-promotion activities (1 h/each) for their younger (8-10 years), primary school peers. The control group will not receive any intervention. The outcomes (fruit, vegetable, fast food and sugary drink consumption; physical activity; and sedentary behaviors) of the control and intervention groups will be measured pre- and post-intervention. CONCLUSION: This study describes a protocol for pilot, peer-led, social marketing and youth-involved intervention, where adolescents design and implement activities for their younger peers to promote healthy lifestyles.

Stuck in a vicious circle of stress. Parental concerns and barriers to changing children's dietary and physical activity habits.

INTRODUCTION: Dietary habits and physical activity are often the focus of obesity prevention programmes and involving parents in such programmes has proven to be effective. The aims of this study were to describe parents' concerns about their children's diet and physical activity habits and to describe barriers to change. RESULTS: The study used archival data gathered unobtrusively in the form of memos taken after sessions of Motivational Interviewing as part of the parental support programme, A Healthy School Start. The 74 MI-sessions were conducted from October 2010 to April 2011 with either a mother or father or both, all with children in pre-school class. Thematic analysis was applied. Three themes were identified regarding children's dietary habits: amount of food consumed influenced by behaviour in the family, eating situations influenced by stressful everyday life and family interplay, and food choices influenced by stressful everyday life and family interplay. One theme appeared regarding physical activity: physical activity influenced by stressful everyday life and family interplay. CONCLUSION: Family interplay appears to be an important link between the work-life stress perceived by parents and less healthy food and physical activity habits in the home. Both lack of parental cooperation and negative parent-child interactions may act as barriers to healthy eating and physical activity and should be addressed in future intervention studies on health-related behaviours of children.

Professional development in the context of Healthy Schools in Quebec.

This article reports preliminary research results on a professional development (PD) model as a mechanism for supporting absorption of the Healthy School (HS) approach into school functioning. The purpose of our study was to document the model implementation process and understand whether it influenced, or not, the accompanied actors' knowledge and practices about HS. The theoretical basis of the model and a description of its implementation, its appreciation by actors and its influence on their knowledge and confidence are presented. The research was conducted in three Quebec schools that had adopted this approach for at least 2 years. Multiple case study methodology, with pre- (T0) and post- (T1) intervention comparison, was adopted. The results disclose that the PD model implemented, which involves socio-constructivist accompaniment, has several assets that support the acquisition and application of new knowledge related to HS in order to promote its absorption within schools. Our findings indicate that PD likely reinforced the actors' knowledge and understanding as well as their confidence. The lessons drawn from the evaluation of this PD model could serve to enhance accompaniment methods implemented to promote the absorption of such initiatives in schools. Our data highlight the relevance and effectiveness of accompaniment anchored in action, calling for practice based on reflection and expert recommendations to meet the objectives of health and academic success.

Reference intervals of serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase of healthy school children and adolescents in Heilongjiang province / 基础医学与临床

Objective To analyze the serum calcium , phosphate and alkaline phosphatase level among apparently healthy school children and adolescents in Heilongjiang Province and establish the reference intervals in different gender and different age groups .Methods Random sample of 2 101 primary and secondary school students from 9 to 18-year-old was collected from different district of Heilongjiang Province including Harbin and Mudanjiang from July 2008 to June 2009 .The fasting venous blood was collected and serum calcium , phosphate and alkaline phos-phatase concentration was measured as soon as possible .After screening outlier individual , a total of 2 091 subjects were enrolled.The reference intervals of serum calcium , phosphate and alkaline phosphatase for healthy school children and adolescents were established by gender and age ( P2.5 to P97.5 ) .Results The change tendency of serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase with age and sex were presented .All these parameters had shown inverse relationship with age and were significantly higher in boys than girls (P<0.001).Serum calcium, phosphate of both sexes and serum alkaline phosphatase of girls declined progressively with age .However , the highest alkaline phosphatase level was seen at 13 years in boys.Alkaline phosphatase showed a positive correlation with age before 13 years of age , but after that alkaline phosphatase started to decline .Conclusions Reference in-tervals of serum calcium , phosphate and alkaline phosphatase for healthy school children and adolescents in Hei -longjiang Province in the age group of 9-18 years were presented , which supply good reference value for clinicians especially pediatricians to interpret the results of school children and adolescents and make decision .

Promoción de hábitos saludables en escolares de Hermosillo, Sonora, México / Promote healthy habits in scholars from Hermosillo, Sonora, México

Objetivo: ejecución y análisis de una intervención educativa con la finalidad incrementar conocimientos y hábitos saludables en escolares. Métodos: diseño cuasi experimental. Se trabajó con el total de alumnos inscritos de una escuela pública de nivel primaria de Hermosillo, Sonora. Se diseñaron y realizaron cinco módulos basados en la propuesta pedagógica del constructivismo: alimentación e higiene, autoestima, tabaquismo y adicciones, cultura por la paz y cuidado del medio ambiente. Las actividades se realizaron en sesiones semanales de una hora con cada grupo. Se aplicó una medición pre y pos intervención para ver cambios en los conocimientos. Resultados: los escolares incrementaron conocimientos en los diversos ejes temáticos, mejoraron su autoestima y algunas prácticas relacionadas con la alimentación y su entorno. Conclusión: es necesaria la continuidad de este tipo de acciones escolares para incidir de manera integral en las fases tempranas del desarrollo cognitivo del escolar y buscar contextualizar los componentes social, cultural y económico incorporando la participación de padres y maestros para garantizar la sustentabilidad.

Objective: analysis and execution of an educative intervention with the purpose to promote, develop, and improve knowledge and healthy habits in students. Methods: a cuasi experimental design. This study included all the students registered in an elementary public school from Hermosillo, Sonora. Five modules were designed according to principles of constructivism: meals and hygiene, self esteem, smoking habits and addictions, culture for peace, environment care, and they were applied. The activities were carried out by a health promoter in an hour- session weekly per each group. An evaluation was given pre and post intervention in order to measure any changes in knowledge. Results: scholars' knowledge increased about these different topics, their self esteem increased, and some practices related to meals and their environment improved. Conclusion: it is necessary to continue this kind of practice in order for achieving an integral effect on the early cognitive development stages of students and for contextualizing the social, cultural, and economic components incorporating the participation of teachers and parents in order to guarantee the sustainability.

Short sleep duration is associated with teacher-reported inattention and cognitive problems in healthy school-aged children.

PURPOSE: Pediatric, clinical, and research data suggest that insufficient sleep causes tiredness and daytime difficulties in terms of attention-focusing, learning, and impulse modulation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or in those with ADHD and primary sleep disorders. The aim of the present study was to examine whether sleep duration was associated with ADHD-like symptoms in healthy, well-developing school-aged children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five healthy children (20 boys, 15 girls), aged 7-11 years participated in the present study. Each child wore an actigraphic device on their nondominant wrist for two nights prior to use of polysomnography to assess their typical sleep periods. On the third night, sleep was recorded via ambulatory assessment of sleep architecture in the child's natural sleep environment employing portable polysomnography equipment. Teachers were asked to report symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity on the revised Conners Teacher Rating Scale. RESULTS: Shorter sleep duration was associated with higher levels of teacher-reported ADHD-like symptoms in the domains of cognitive problems and inattention. No significant association between sleep duration and hyperactivity symptoms was evident. CONCLUSION: Short sleep duration was found to be related to teacher-derived reports of ADHD-like symptoms of inattention and cognitive functioning in healthy children.