Effects of a school intervention program delivered in children with movement difficulties with minimal specialist support. A feasibility study

Background: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer presenting with a dramatic increase in its incidence among Caucasian populations worldwide. Primary prevention in childhood and early detection is important in reducing the risk of skin cancer later in life.The objectives of the study were to investigate the effect of a focused educational intervention in school children aiming to increase their knowledge about the harmful effects of sun exposure and promote prevention behaviors regarding skin cancerMethods: The study consisted of a before/after 6-month assessment of a school intervention program applied in two hundred children from four primary Schools (Grades 3-6) at a rural area in Western Greece. The program included the presentation and distribution of educational material (activity guide, manual for pupils, posters). A detailed questionnaire with close-ended questions was distributed before and after the intervention. Both between and in groups analysis was conducted.Results: Of the participating pupils, 48% were boys, whereas 78.5% reported a fair skin complexion and 79% reported freckles and 1-20 nevi. After the intervention, an increased number of pupils were taught to enjoy sun exposure while avoiding its harmful effects. A significantly greater number of children stated proper use of sunscreen (74% vs. 31%, p=0.001) and sun protection (that avoided going outside especially at the intense hours of daily UV exposure (65% vs. 25.5% prior to the intervention). Melanoma awareness was also significantly raised. Conclusions: Students’ knowledge about the effects of sun exposure as well as the need for sun protection increased following a targeted and well-designed educational intervention. The development of preventive educational programs on skin cancer for school children is important to increase awareness in this sensitive age group.

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Educator’s ability to identify students with coordination disorders: A review of literature

Arab Journal of Nutrition and Exercise (AJNE) ◽

10.18502/ajne.v2i3.1218 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 139

Author(s):

Michalis Anastasiadis

Keyword(s):

School Environment ◽

Developmental Coordination Disorder ◽

Learning Difficulties ◽

School Intervention ◽

Coordination Disorders ◽

Movement Difficulties ◽

Coordination Disorder ◽

Specific Education ◽

Specific Learning

According to research 5-7% of the total school population face motor learning difficulties such as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). In addition to that, recent findings regarding comorbidity revealed that specific learning difficulties such as Dyslexia are very often co-exist with movement difficulties such as DCD. School environment seems to be an ideal setting for early identification, assessment and in-school intervention. Therefore, educators’ knowledge regarding DCD and their ability to identify and assess children with movement difficulties are crucial dimensions for an effective interventional management. The goal of the current paper was a review of the relative literature. The findings reveal that, without specific education, the educators have limited ability to recognize children with DCD. Furthermore, research has shown that well informed and educated educators can be very effective in identification and classification of students with movement difficulties. As a result, early intervention strategies can be developed and applied to help the students and their families. A review of the most commonly used identification instruments is also provided.

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Fast Foods, Emotional and Behavioural Problems among Overweight and Obese Adolescents Participating in MyBFF@school Intervention Program

10.31124/advance.9601190 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Zahari Ishak ◽

Suet Fin Low ◽

Wan Abdul Hakim Wan Ibrahim ◽

Abqariyah Yahya ◽

Fuziah Md. Zain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Fast Food ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Attention Problems ◽

School Intervention ◽

Self Report ◽

Behavioural Problems ◽

Emotional And Behavioural Problems ◽

Obese Adolescents ◽

Fast Food Consumption

This study aimed to assess the association between the frequency of fast food consumption in the past week with emotional and behavioural problems of 624 overweight and obese adolescents (mean age = 14.6). Frequency of fast food consumption was assessed through a pre-tested nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire. Meanwhile, the Youth Self-Report questionnaire was used to measure emotional and behavioural problems. Spearman’s rank-order correlation was used to measure the strength of relationships. Positive associations that are statistically significant were found between frequency of fast food consumption and syndromes of anxious/depressed (rs=0.082, p<0.05), somatic complaints (rs=0.139, p<0.01), social problems (rs=0.115, p <0.01), thought problems (rs=0.118, p<0.01), attention problems (rs=0.125, p<0.01), rule-breaking behaviour (rs=0.144, p<0.001), and aggressive behaviour (rs=0.168, p<0.001). There were also differences found in the associations based on gender, locality of schools and ethnicity. Therefore, adolescents should be discouraged from consuming fast food as much as possible.

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