The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63337

Catherine M. Waters, PhD, RN¹, Deborah E. Norton, RN, NP, PhD¹, Erika Froelicher, RN, PhD², and Virginia (Ginger) Carrieri-Kohlman, RN, DNSc, FAAN². (1) Department of Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco, 2 Kirkham Street, Box 0608, San Francisco, CA 94143-0608, (2) Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California San Francisco, 2 Koret Way, #N-631, San Francisco, CA 94143-0610

The number of children and adolescents considered overweight and physically inactive has doubled since the 1980s, increasing their risks for heart disease and other preventable chronic illnesses in adulthood. Current research indicates that eating and exercise habits consolidate before age 10 and that these risk factors track from childhood into adulthood. Yet, most research today still focuses on secondary and tertiary risk reduction and prevention. Successful primary prevention strategies with preadolescents must target multiple settings (home, school and community) and involve multiple influential contacts (parents, school educators, media personnel). The purpose of this descriptive, cross-sectional study is to determine the eating and exercise behaviors, self-efficacy of eating and exercise behaviors, health perceptions, and health knowledge of preadolescents. A convenience sample of 150 fourth and fifth grade school students was surveyed from elementary schools in a school district in Northern California. The sample consisted of 68% Caucasians, 18% Hispanics, 8% Asian Americans, 4% African Americans, 2% other; and 70% females and 30% males. Data were collected at one time point using the following measures: health perception scale; 24-hour eating record; 7-day exercise record; dietary and exercise sections of the YRBS; and health knowledge, food frequency, and self-efficacy scales of the health behavior questionnaire. Descriptive and correlational analyses reveal that self-efficacy, perceived health and health knowledge effects eating and exercise behaviors of preadolescents. Further findings reveal the effects of parental influence on preadolescents’ eating and exercise behaviors.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, the participants in this session wil be able to:
• 3. Describe the physical activity and eating behaviors of preadolescents and compare them with national dietary and fitness standards, respectively.
  6. Identify the key indicators of regular physical activity and healthy eating behaviors for a sample of 150 fourth and fifth grade students, including parent, teacher, and peer supports.

Keywords: Children's Health, Child Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.