PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S W Fors

Publications and source records attributed to S W Fors.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Factors related to the eating habits of students in grades 9-12.

This study examined the influence of demographic characteristics and selected family factors on consumption of a healthy breakfast and lunch and consumption of fruits and vegetables among adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was completed by a representative sample (n = 3,155) of students from all high schools in a suburban county near Atlanta, Georgia. Students consuming healthy breakfasts, healthy lunches, and more fruits and vegetables were more likely to be White or Asian (lunch/fruits and vegetables only), better able to communicate with parents or guardians on serious issues, closely monitored by their parents, living with one or both parents, spending less time at home without adults, perceiving themselves at about the right weight or underweight (lunch/breakfast only), male (lunch/breakfast only), and in 9th or 10th grade (breakfast only). These results suggest family factors should be considered in the development and implementation of nutrition interventions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The effect of victim impact panels on DUI/DWI rearrest rates: a twelve-month follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Various interventions have been implemented as components of sentencing for driving under the influence of alcohol. This study assessed the effectiveness of the Victim Impact Panel (VIP) in reducing the probability of an offender being rearrested for drinking and driving. METHOD: The study was conducted in an urban/suburban county in the Southeastern United States. Rearrest rates of DUI offenders who attended a VIP presentation as part of their sentencing (n = 404) were compared with an equivalent comparison group (n = 431) who did not have the VIP presentation. Arrest records of offenders were searched and rearrest rates (%) were calculated for the periods 0-6 months, 7-12 months, and 0-12 months after the arrest. RESULTS: Chi-square cross-tabulations indicate that rearrest rates were lower for the VIP group than the comparison group in all categories. Three categories where the differences were significant and of the greatest magnitude were white men, ages 26-35 years, and one prior DUI arrest. Additionally, logistic regression was used to compare the importance of specific independent variables on rearrest. Whether or not a subject was in the VIP group was the most powerful contributor to the results. CONCLUSIONS: After considering alternative explanations for the results, we conclude that the VIPs can be a cost-effective way of reducing the probability of rearrest in DUI offenders. When costs of DUI in human misery and dollars are considered, the potential benefits of large-scale implementation of VIP programs appear to be well worth the effort.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1995

Evaluation of a peer-led drug abuse risk reduction project for runaway/homeless youths.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Drug Prevention in Youth risk reduction program that was implemented in shelters for runaway/homeless youths in the Southeastern United States. The program focuses on knowledge, attitudes and skills that can help this group of high risk young people minimize the serious negative consequences of drug abuse. An evaluation strategy was developed so comparisons could be made between peer-led, adult-led and non-intervention groups. Dependent samples t tests and least squares ANCOVAS were used to measure pretest-posttest differences both within and between groups. Results indicate that the peer-led groups were more successful than the other two groups, and that program effects were the most powerful with the youngest group of shelter clients. Process evaluation revealed important factors related to group leader training and group management. It is concluded that well-trained and motivated peer/near peer leaders have particularly valuable contributions to make with regard to drug abuse risk reduction for shelter clients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

A comparison of drug involvement between runaways and school youths.

Problems related to homeless/runaway youths have received increased attention in recent years. Homeless/runaway youths manifest many problems in addition to being absent from home and without supervision of a parent or guardian. The purpose of the study was to determine drug use and abuse patterns of homeless/runaway youths and to compare those patterns, along with attitudes toward selected illicit behaviors, with similar data collected from adolescents in school. Data were collected from persons (n = 253) in homeless/runaway shelters in the southeast United States. Comparisons made with data from other studies of runaways and of youths in school indicate that drug use and abuse is two-three times more prevalent for runaways than with the school youths. Runaways' attitudes toward selected illicit behaviors are more tolerant than those of school youths. Intervention programs for runaway/homeless youths should reflect an understanding of the complexity of the psycho-social and behavioral history of the clients which is much different than that of those who are in school.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Self-esteem and health instruction: challenges for curriculum development.

A review of literature on self-esteem and its role in health education raises questions about the extent to which health education can influence student self-esteem through direct and indirect instruction. This article operationally defines self-esteem, discusses the role of health education in developing self-esteem through direct and indirect instruction, interprets evidence that self-esteem is affected by health education curricula, and discusses challenges facing health educators in curriculum development, instruction, and evaluation of self-esteem as a realistic component of health education curricula.

Curriculum↗
PubMed1989

Evaluation of a diffusion strategy for school-based hypertension education.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of hypertension (HBP) education within a population of sixth grade students (n = 1204) and their parents (n = 1446). The "3Rs and HBP" curriculum attempts to diffuse the HBP information from teachers, to pupils and then to parents using the sixth grade son/daughter as a "health messenger." This curriculum was tested with and without a home blood pressure measurement component versus controls in 21 schools randomly assigned to the three conditions. Postintervention data were collected from students at school and from their parents at home interviews. Students were compared for knowledge, blood pressure measurement skill, and home diffusion activities. Parents were compared for knowledge, risk factor reduction, blood pressure, care-seeking, and compliance behaviors. Student self-esteem and family interactions were investigated as possible intervening variables in the diffusion process. Student knowledge, BP measurement skills, and diffusion to parents was increased by the 3Rs and HBP curriculum with the home component. Parental effects beyond the diffusion process were limited to knowledge improvement in certain groups. Family interaction (level and style) was found to be a significant intervening variable in the diffusion process.

Child↗
PubMed1985

School Health Education Evaluation. Implication of results: factors for success.

The four-year evaluation study summarized in this issue brings new evidence and directions for more successful health education programs. Two major factors for success stand out. The implementation of the program requires administrative support to assure adequate teacher preparation, and, fidelity to the curriculum must be maintained. The authors will describe these factors.

Attitude to Health↗