scholarly journals California and federal school nutrition policies and obesity among children of Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Filipino origins: Interrupted time series analysis

PLoS Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. e1003596
Author(s):  
Mika Matsuzaki ◽  
Brisa N. Sánchez ◽  
R. David Rebanal ◽  
Joel Gittelsohn ◽  
Emma V. Sanchez-Vaznaugh
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
School Nutrition ◽  
Fifth Grade ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Prevalence Trends ◽  
Nutrition Policies ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Academic Year

Background Obesity prevalence remains high among children of Pacific Islander (PI) origin, Filipino (FI), and American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) origins in the United States. While school nutrition policies may help prevent and reduce childhood obesity, their influences specifically among PI, FI, and AIAN children remain understudied. We evaluated the association of the California (CA) state school nutrition policies for competitive food and beverages and the federal policy for school meals (Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA 2010)) with overweight/obesity among PI, FI, and AIAN students. Methods and findings We used an interrupted time series (ITS) design with FitnessGram data from 2002 to 2016 for PI (78,841), FI (328,667), AIAN (97,129), and White (3,309,982) students in fifth and seventh grades who attended CA public schools. Multilevel logistic regression models estimated the associations of the CA school nutrition policies (in effect beginning in academic year 2004 to 2005) and HHFKA 2010 (from academic year 2012 to 2013) with overweight/obesity prevalence (above the 85 percentile of the age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) distribution). The models were constructed separately for each grade and sex combination and adjusted for school district-, school-, and student-level characteristics such as percentage of students eligible for free and reduced price meals, neighborhood income and education levels, and age. Across the study period, the crude prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher among PI (39.5% to 52.5%), FI (32.9% to 36.7%), and AIAN (37.7% to 45.6%) children, compared to White (26.8% to 30.2%) students. The results generally showed favorable association of the CA nutrition policies with overweight/obesity prevalence trends, although the magnitudes of associations and strengths of evidence varied among racial/ethnic subgroups. Before the CA policies went into effect (2002 to 2004), overweight/obesity prevalence increased for White, PI, and AIAN students in both grades and sex groups as well as FI girls in seventh grade. After the CA policies took place (2005 to 2012), the overweight/obesity rates decreased for almost all subgroups who experienced increasing trends before the policies, with the largest decrease seen among PI girls in fifth grade (before: log odds ratio = 0.149 (95% CI 0.108 to 0.189; p < 0.001); after: 0.010 (−0.005 to 0.025; 0.178)). When both the CA nutrition policies and HHFKA 2010 were in effect (2013 to 2016), declines in the overweight/obesity prevalence were seen among White girls and FI boys in fifth grade. Despite the evidence of the favorable association of the school nutrition policies with overweight/obesity prevalence trends, disparities between PI and AIAN students and their White peers remained large after the policies took place. As these policies went into effect for all public schools in CA, without a clear comparison group, we cannot conclude that the changes in prevalence trends were solely attributable to these policies. Conclusions The current study found evidence of favorable associations of the state and federal school nutrition policies with overweight/obesity prevalence trends. However, the prevalence of overweight/obesity continued to be high among PI and AIAN students and FI boys. There remain wide racial/ethnic disparities between these racial/ethnic minority subgroups and their White peers. Additional strategies are needed to reduce childhood obesity and related disparities among these understudied racial/ethnic populations.

scholarly journals School nutrition laws in the US: do they influence obesity among youth in a racially/ethnically diverse state?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma V. Sanchez-Vaznaugh ◽  
Mika Matsuzaki ◽  
Paula Braveman ◽  
Maria Elena Acosta ◽  
Kelsey Alexovitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Nutrition ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Total Change ◽  
Nutrition Policies ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract Background/objectives Little is known about the separate or combined effects of state and national nutrition policies regulating food and beverages in schools on child overweight/obesity (OV/OB) and related racial/ethnic disparities. We investigated the influence of school nutrition policies enacted in California, independently and in combination with the United States’ national policy “Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act” (HHFKA) on childhood OV/OB and racial/ethnic disparities. Subjects/methods An interrupted time series design was used with data from 12,363,089 child-level records on 5th- and 7th-graders in California public schools to estimate sex- and racial/ethnic-specific time trends in OV/OB prevalence during three periods: before the California nutrition policies (2002–2004); when only California policies were in effect (2005–2012); and when they were in effect simultaneously with HHFKA (2013–2016). Results Before the state’s policies, OV/OB prevalence increased annually among children in most subgroups. Improvements in OV/OB trends were observed for almost all groups after the California policies were in effect, with further improvements after the addition of HFFKA. The total change in annual log-odds of OV/OB, comparing the periods with both state and federal policies versus no policies, ranged from −0.08 to −0.01 and varied by grade, sex, and race/ethnicity. Within each sex and grade, the greatest changes were among African-American (−0.08 to −0.02, all p < 0.05) followed by Latino children (−0.06 to −0.01, all p < 0.05). Although disparities narrowed among these groups versus White children after the dual policy period, disparities remained large. Conclusions State and national nutrition policies for schools may have contributed to containing the upward trend in childhood OV/OB and racial/ethnic OV/OB disparities within California. However, sizable OV/OB prevalence and disparities persist. To end the epidemic, promote healthy weight and increase health equity, future efforts should strengthen state and national policies to improve food quality in schools, particularly those serving populations with the highest OV/OB prevalence.

Moving from Policy to Practice: A Report of School Nutrition Policy Adherence in Nova Scotia

2018 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-199
Author(s):  
Jessie-Lee D. McIsaac ◽  
Julia C.H. Kontak ◽  
Sara F.L. Kirk
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Nutrition Policy ◽  
School Nutrition ◽  
Short Report ◽  
School Food ◽  
Nutrition Policies ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
Food Programs

Purpose: School food and nutrition policies have the potential to encourage healthier eating among children and youth to address rising concerns of poor diet quality. Despite their widespread implementation, there is little reported monitoring of policy adherence. This short report describes adherence to the provincial school food and nutrition policy in Nova Scotia (NS) that was implemented in 2006. Methods: An online survey was distributed to NS public schools in 2014–2015 to assess adherence to the directives and guidelines of the policy. Descriptive information was obtained for schools and indicators for policy adherence were explored. Results: A total of 242 schools completed the survey (73% response rate) and policy adherence was variable across the different components. Few schools adhered to the policy standard related to the sale of unhealthy foods and there was inconsistency in school adherence reported for other policy indicators. Conclusions: This research suggests that further action is need to ensure “minimum nutrition” food and beverages are not available in schools and that healthy eating is reinforced through prioritizing key policy actions like pricing strategies, discontinuing fundraising with unhealthy food, and ensuring food programs are available in a nonstigmatizing manner.

MENINGKATKAN KEKAYAAN MUFRODAT SISWA MELALUI METODE HYPNOTEACHING

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-131
Author(s):  
Almanna Wassalwa ◽  
Agung Wijaksono
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Fifth Grade ◽  
Learning Method ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Fifth Grade Students ◽  
Field Notes ◽  
Academic Year

The research objective is to increase the wealth of mufrodat through hypnoteaching methods. The research subjects were all fifth grade students of MI Miftahun Najah Banyuputih Situbondo in the 2016/2017 Academic Year. Researchers used data collection instruments in the form of observation formats, question sheets, field notes, and interview guidelines. The research method is classroom action research. Data analysis techniques are planning, acting, observing and reflecting. The results of the study are: 1) The average memorization of students' mufrodat in the pre cycle before receiving hypnoteaching learning method treatment gets an average of 65.38. The smallest value is 55 and the highest value is 80. With the Minimal Completeness Criteria reference of 70, the number of students who get a score equal to or above the Minimal Completeness Criteria is 23% while students who have not reached the Minimal Completeness Criteria is 77%. 2) The average memorization of students' mufrodat in the first cycle after applying hypnoteaching learning method got an average of 72.3. The smallest value is 55 and the highest value is 80. With the Minimal Completeness Criteria reference of 70, the number of students who score equal to or above the Minimal Completeness Criteria is 61.5% while students who have not reached the Minimal Completeness Criteria is 38.5%. 3) The average memorization of students' mufrodat in the second cycle gets an average of 90. The smallest value is 75 and the highest score is 100. With a Minimal Completeness Criteria reference of 70, the number of students who score equal to or above the Minimal Completeness Criteria is 92.3% while students who have not yet reached Minimal Completeness Criteria is 7.7%. 4) The use of hypnoteaching method can increase the wealth of mufrodat of fifth grade students of MI Miftahun Najah Banyuputih Situbondo in 2016/2017 Academic Year.

scholarly journals COVID-19-related state-wise racial and ethnic disparities across the USA: an observational study based on publicly available data from The COVID Tracking Project

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e048006
Author(s):  
Zhaoying Xian ◽  
Anshul Saxena ◽  
Zulqarnain Javed ◽  
John E Jordan ◽  
Safa Alkarawi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Asian American ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Relative Difference ◽  
Ethnic Composition ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Population Proportion ◽  
Asian Populations ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Racial Ethnic

ObjectiveTo evaluate COVID-19 infection and mortality disparities in ethnic and racial subgroups in a state-wise manner across the USA.MethodsPublicly available data from The COVID Tracking Project at The Atlantic were accessed between 9 September 2020 and 14 September 2020. For each state and the District of Columbia, % infection, % death, and % population proportion for subgroups of race (African American/black (AA/black), Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN), and white) and ethnicity (Hispanic/Latino, non-Hispanic) were recorded. Crude and normalised disparity estimates were generated for COVID-19 infection (CDI and NDI) and mortality (CDM and NDM), computed as absolute and relative difference between % infection or % mortality and % population proportion per state. Choropleth map display was created as thematic representation proportionate to CDI, NDI, CDM and NDM.ResultsThe Hispanic population had a median of 158% higher COVID-19 infection relative to their % population proportion (median 158%, IQR 100%–200%). This was followed by AA, with 50% higher COVID-19 infection relative to their % population proportion (median 50%, IQR 25%–100%). The AA population had the most disproportionate mortality, with a median of 46% higher mortality than the % population proportion (median 46%, IQR 18%–66%). Disproportionate impact of COVID-19 was also seen in AI/AN and Asian populations, with 100% excess infections than the % population proportion seen in nine states for AI/AN and seven states for Asian populations. There was no disproportionate impact in the white population in any state.ConclusionsThere are racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 infection/mortality, with distinct state-wise patterns across the USA based on racial/ethnic composition. There were missing and inconsistently reported racial/ethnic data in many states. This underscores the need for standardised reporting, attention to specific regional patterns, adequate resource allocation and addressing the underlying social determinants of health adversely affecting chronically marginalised groups.

scholarly journals Identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native in Urban Areas: Implications for Adolescent Behavioral Health and Well-Being

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan A. Brown ◽  
Daniel L. Dickerson ◽  
David J. Klein ◽  
Denis Agniel ◽  
Carrie L. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
American Indian ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Health And Well Being

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth exhibit multiple health disparities, including high rates of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, violence and delinquency, and mental health problems. Approximately 70% of AI/AN youth reside in urban areas, where negative outcomes on behavioral health and well-being are often high. Identity development may be particularly complex in urban settings, where youth may face more fragmented and lower density AI/AN communities, as well as mixed racial-ethnic ancestry and decreased familiarity with AI/AN lifeways. This study examines racial-ethnic and cultural identity among AI/AN adolescents and associations with behavioral health and well-being by analyzing quantitative data collected from a baseline assessment of 185 AI/AN urban adolescents from California who were part of a substance use intervention study. Adolescents who identified as AI/AN on their survey reported better mental health, less alcohol and marijuana use, lower rates of delinquency, and increased happiness and spiritual health.

scholarly journals Comparison of students from private and public schools on the spelling performance

CoDAS ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathane Sanches Marques Silva ◽  
Patrícia Abreu Pinheiro Crenitte
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Fourth Grade ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Fifth Grade ◽  
Spelling Error ◽  
Spelling Errors ◽  
The Public ◽  
Spelling Ability ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Student’S T

Objective: To compare the spelling ability of schoolchildren from the fourth to sixth grades of the elementary schools in the private and public schools of Bauru, São Paulo, and to verify whether errors are overcome as studies progress and the hierarchy of errors as to how often they occur. Methods : A dictation was applied to 384 schoolchildren: 206 from the private schools: 74 were at the fourth grade, 65 at the fifth grade, and 67 at the sixth grade; and 178 from the public schools; 56 at the fourth grade, 63 at the fifth grade, and 59 at the sixth grade of elementary school. Student's t test was used. Results: In comparison of total spelling errors score, difference was found among the fourth and sixth grades of the private and public schools. Spelling errors decreased as education progressed, and those related to language irregularities were more common. Conclusion: Spelling ability and performance of students from the private and public schools are not similar in the fourth and sixth grades, but it is in the fifth grade. Spelling errors are gradually overcome as education progresses; however, this overcome rate was considerable between the fourth and fifth grades in the public schools. Decrease in the types of spelling errors follows a hierarchy of categories: phoneme/grapheme conversion, simple contextual rules, complex contextual rules, and language irregularities. Finally, the most common type of spelling error found was that related to language irregularities.

scholarly journals Abdominal obesity: prevalence, sociodemographic- and lifestyle-associated factors in adolescents

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willian R. Tebar ◽  
Luiz Carlos M. Vanderlei ◽  
Catarina C. Scarabotollo ◽  
Edner F. Zanuto ◽  
Bruna T. C. Saraiva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Sedentary Behaviour ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Abdominal Obesity ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Obesity Prevalence

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of abdominal obesity and its associated factors among adolescents, independent of confounders. Method: A sample of 14–17-year-old individuals (n=1.231), who were students from Londrina/PR-Brazil public schools, was studied. A questionnaire about physical activity, sedentary behaviour and socioeconomic conditions was applied. Anthropometry was composed of body weight (kg), height (m), body mass index (BMI=kg/m²) and waist circumference (cm). The association of abdominal obesity and independent variables was assessed using the chi-square test and the magnitude of associations was verified using Binary Logistic Regression in an unadjusted model and adjusted for confounders (gender, age, socioeconomic status, physical activity and sedentary behaviour). The confidence interval and statistical significance were set at 95% and 5%, respectively, using SPSS v15.0. Results: The abdominal obesity prevalence was 17.5% (CI = 15.4%–19.6%), and was higher in boys than in girls. Adolescents with abdominal obesity had higher values of body weight, height, body mass index and sedentary behaviour compared to eutrophic individuals. Being male increased the risk of abdominal obesity by 36% in adolescents. This risk was two times higher in those with high levels of sedentary behaviour. Conclusion: Abdominal obesity was significantly associated with gender and high levels of sedentary behaviour, regardless of confounding factors. Lifestyle habits are important modifiable risk factors that can effectively contribute to the reduction of obesity from an early age.

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