Change in parental influence on children's physical activity over time.

BACKGROUND: Parents are believed to play a pivotal role in their children's health-related behaviors, including physical activity (PA). It is currently unclear, however, at what developmental period parental socialization has the strongest influence on child and/or adolescent PA levels. The purpose of this study was to take a developmental approach to examine parental influence on children's PA levels over time. METHODS: Parents (N = 70; 68 mothers) completed a questionnaire assessing PA habits, amount of time they engage in PA with their child, and reasons for their child's PA participation at baseline (during child's preschool years) and at follow-up, which occurred from 1 to 9 years later. RESULTS: The results indicate that the relationship between parents' and children's physical activity patterns and parents' reasons for their children's participation in organized physical activity change over time. Parents also reported spending approximately 60 min per week engaged in physical activity together with their children at baseline compared with 40 min at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: These findings help to extend previous research examining parental influences on children's physical activity participation.

Promoting health literacy through the health education assessment project.

BACKGROUND: The Council of Chief State School Officers' State Collaborative on Assessment and Student Standards Health Education Assessment Project (SCASS-HEAP) allows states to pool financial and human resources to develop effective ready-to-use health education assessment resources through a collaborative process. The purpose of this article is to describe the extensive ongoing development of the SCASS-HEAP and its benefits for important stakeholders in health and education. METHODS: A review of the products from the first decade of the SCASS-HEAP was undertaken. RESULTS: The SCASS-HEAP supports a comprehensive systems approach to helping educators focus effectively on the most important skills and issues in child and adolescent health and gives health education a place at the school reform table, providing visibility and credibility and promoting the essential links between health and learning. CONCLUSION: State education agencies and school districts can use SCASS-HEAP materials for assessment and, perhaps more importantly, to help teachers modify and improve instruction at the classroom level for increased student learning.