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Biomedical subjects

Howard Taras

Publications and source records attributed to Howard Taras.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Nutrition and student performance at school.

This article reviews research from published studies on the association between nutrition among school-aged children and their performance in school and on tests of cognitive functioning. Each reviewed article is accompanied by a brief description of its research methodology and outcomes. Articles are separated into 4 categories: food insufficiency, iron deficiency and supplementation, deficiency and supplementation of micronutrients, and the importance of breakfast. Research shows that children with iron deficiencies sufficient to cause anemia are at a disadvantage academically. Their cognitive performance seems to improve with iron therapy. A similar association and improvement with therapy is not found with either zinc or iodine deficiency, according to the reviewed articles. There is no evidence that population-wide vitamin and mineral supplementation will lead to improved academic performance. Food insufficiency is a serious problem affecting children's ability to learn, but its relevance to US populations needs to be better understood. Research indicates that school breakfast programs seem to improve attendance rates and decrease tardiness. Among severely undernourished populations, school breakfast programs seem to improve academic performance and cognitive functioning.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Physical activity and student performance at school.

To review the state of research on the association between physical activity among school-aged children and academic outcomes, the author reviewed published studies on this topic. A table includes brief descriptions of each study's research methodology and outcomes. A review of the research demonstrates that there may be some short-term improvements of physical activity (such as on concentration) but that long-term improvement of academic achievement as a result of more vigorous physical activity is not well substantiated. The relationship between physical activity in children and academic outcomes requires further elucidation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Sleep and student performance at school.

To review the state of research on the association between sleep among school-aged children and academic outcomes, the authors reviewed published studies investigating sleep, school performance, and cognitive and achievement tests. Tables with brief descriptions of each study's research methods and outcomes are included. Research reveals a high prevalence among school-aged children of suboptimal amounts of sleep and poor sleep quality. Research demonstrates that suboptimal sleep affects how well students are able to learn and how it may adversely affect school performance. Recommendations for further research are discussed.

Achievement↗
PubMed2005

Chronic health conditions and student performance at school.

To review the state of research on the association between common chronic health conditions and academic outcomes, the authors reviewed published studies investigating the association of school attendance, cognitive ability, and achievement with a number of chronic diseases. Tables with brief descriptions of each study's research methods and outcomes are included. Research reveals evidence that diabetes, sickle cell anemia, and epilepsy affect student achievement and ability. Levels of academic deficiency and specific areas of cognitive impairment are not as well understood. Many chronic conditions are not well researched. Suggestions for further research and recommendations for educators and health practitioners are provided.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed2005

Obesity and student performance at school.

To review the state of research on the association between obesity among school-aged children and academic outcomes, the authors reviewed published studies investigating obesity, school performance, and rates of student absenteeism. A table with brief descriptions of each study's research methodology and outcomes is included. Research demonstrates that overweight and obesity are associated with poorer levels of academic achievement. Data on the association of child overweight or obesity with levels of attendance are too sparse to draw conclusions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Childhood asthma and student performance at school.

To better understand what is known about the association between childhood asthma, school attendance, and academic outcomes, the authors reviewed published studies investigating this topic. Tables with brief descriptions of each study's research methodology and outcomes are included. Research reveals evidence that rates of absenteeism are higher among students with asthma. The exact magnitude of absenteeism is difficult to ascertain. However, the studies have helped to identify characteristics of children with asthma that are most likely to be associated with the highest absenteeism rates. Some interventions to improve rates of absenteeism among school-aged children with asthma show promise, but it cannot yet be concluded that students who adhere to medical routines for controlling asthma will as a result increase their rates of attendance. Studies thus far have shown that there is either only a weak or nonexistent association between asthma and school achievement. Further studies are required to verify if certain subpopulations of children with asthma (eg, those with severe and ongoing symptoms, those with disturbed sleep, kindergarten children) are at higher risk for poor school achievement.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed2005

Successful strategies and lessons learned from development of large-scale partnerships of national non-governmental organisations.

National governments worldwide work to improve education and health outcomes for children and youth and influence their behaviours. Also heavily engaged are national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the voluntary and non-profit sector. While individual agencies and non-profit organisations are often concerned with specific issues of interest related to their charge, constituency or membership, they often develop allegiances with like-minded groups to accomplish broader goals. Two such collaborations in the United States are the focus of this discussion, the National Co-ordinating Committee on School Health and Safety (NCCSHS) and the Friends of School Health (hereafter, "the Friends"). This article reviews these two significant partnerships of public health and education NGOs and outlines successful strategies and lessons learned from the development of these large-scale partnerships. NCCSHS is a collaboration of 64 NGOs and six U.S. government departments representing both the fields of public health and education. Nearly all major NGOs working in fields related to school health are represented, and the six primary governmental agencies all have at least some responsibility for students' health and safety. The group is the primary intersection of NGOs and the Federal government related to school health at the national level. The Friends of School Health ("the Friends") is the primary school health advocacy coalition at the national level in the United States. Sixty-one education and public health NGOs participate. The coalition serves as a communication mechanism and venue for collaborative action on issues before the U.S. Congress and state legislatures that relate to school health. Since the coalition advocates to legislators and other decision makers, no government agencies participate. The paper describes the strategies relating to the initial development of the collaboratives and their ongoing operation. A common theme in development of both of these examples of large-scale partnerships is trust. Like any partnership, the ability to work and grow is dependent on the level of trust among the partners. Both the National Coordinating Committee on School Health and Safety and the Friends of School Health work together successfully within and across their collaborations, to improve health and educational outcomes for children and youth. While both experience challenges, and neither would indicate that its work is near completion, they provide important insight into how these collaboratives can initially develop and subsequently operate productively while providing important contributions to the promotion of healthy schools, and ultimately, healthy nations.

Cooperative Behavior↗
PubMed2004

Impact of school nurse case management on students with asthma.

This project determined asthma prevalence in a large school district, absentee rates, and potential effects of school nurse case management for student asthma over three years. Data were derived from an asthma tracking tool used by nurses in one school district for every student reported as having asthma by their parent. School nurses began collecting data in their schools in 1999-2000 when an asthma-management protocol was first developed. Nurses documented perceived asthma severity for each student, presence of medication and peak flow meters in school, and case management activities provided. This data base was cross matched with percentage of days students were absent for any illness. Prevalence of asthma, based on school nurse records of parent report, was between 5.1% to 6.2% during the three years. Between 13.5% and 15% were moderate or severe. Students with asthma were absent between one-half to one and one-quarter days more often than those without asthma. In year three, 39% of students with asthma had medication at school, and 12% had a peak flow meter. Contacting a parent was the nurse case management activity provided for the largest number of students (27% of students with asthma), followed by asthma education (16.5%), contact with physician (6%), and home visits (1%). Students who received at least one school nurse case management intervention were more likely the next year to have an asthma medication at school, to use a peak flow meter at school, and to have a change in asthma severity. School nurse case management activity had no association with student absences. Availability of medication and peak flow meters at school was low, suggesting standards of care for asthma were not followed. School nurse case management, when performed outside a project or intervention, offers a promising strategy to improve asthma management.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed2003

Two national surveys on pediatric training and activities in school health: 1991 and 2001.

OBJECTIVE: To determine from 2 surveys, in 1991 and 2001, 1) the proportion of pediatricians and which pediatricians report doing school health, 2) which school health activities are most commonly engaged in and whether this has changed, 3) whether training/education during residency influences doing school health later in practice, and 4) whether the amount or nature of residency training in school health (as reported by practicing pediatricians) increased over time, as recommended by various task forces. METHODS: Surveys were mailed to a 10% randomly selected group of the voting membership of the American Academy of Pediatrics. RESULTS: An estimated 50% to 70% of pediatricians report doing school health, and a consistent 20% report having had training in school health. The nature of school health work varies in urban, suburban, and rural areas, and pediatricians who practice in rural areas are more likely to be involved in school health. When resident education in school health is offered during residency, it is associated with a higher likelihood of pediatricians' doing school health later in practice. Recent trainees report having more residency training in school health, yet fewer recent trainees report doing school health compared with their older colleagues. CONCLUSIONS: The gap between those who do school health and have received education in school health during residency has continued over at least a 10-year period. Recommendations include specification of school health and community pediatrics competencies for the effective practice of pediatrics in the future.

Adolescent Medicine↗