A systematic review of eleven comprehensive physical activity & healthy eating programs in Europe suggests that combining educational and environmental components that focus on both sides of the energy balance give better and more relevant effects. Furthermore, computer-tailored personalized education in the classroom showed better results than a generic classroom curriculum. Environmental interventions might include organized physical activities during breaks, or before and after school; improved availability of physical activity opportunities in and around the school environment; increased physical education lesson time; improved availability or accessibility of healthy food options; and restricted availability and accessibility of unhealthy food options. More high-quality studies are needed to assess obesity-related interventions in Europe. Read more;
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The effectiveness of sexual health education is often debated in regard to whether such can delay the initiation or experimentation of sexual activity. As well, often the media reports the results of studies that report on first sexual intercourse as if this experimentation was ongoing and part of the ongoing behaviour of teens. Two reviews of sexual health education done for the CDC Community Guide review system help to correct those impressions by reporting on the impact of programs on several specific, key behaviours or outcomes. These include current sexual activity; frequency of sexual activity; number of sex partners; frequency of unprotected sexual activity; use of protection (condoms and/or hormonal contraception); pregnancy; and STIs. The results of these meta-analyses for comprehensive risk reduction showed favorable effects for all of the outcomes reviewed. For abstinence education, the meta-analysis showed a small number of studies, with inconsistent findings across studies. Read more..
The Health Council of Canada is mandated to report on progress being made as a result of the 2004 Federal-Provincial Health Care Accord. Its recent 2012 progress report fails to mention anything on the commitments of Canadian governments: " governments commit to accelerate work on a pan-Canadian Public Health Strategy. For the first time, governments will set goals and targets for improving the health status of Canadians through a collaborative process with experts. The Strategy will include efforts to address common risk factors, such as physical inactivity, and integrated disease strategies. First Ministers commit to working across sectors through initiatives such as Healthy Schools".
(Excerpt from the 2012 WHO-Europe Report on Health Behaviours of School Children)
There is some evidence to suggest that protective mechanisms and assets offered within the immediate social context of young people’s lives can offset the effect of some structural determinants of health inequalities, including poverty and deprivation (36–38). Understanding how these social environments act as protective and risk factors can therefore support efforts to address health inequalities. Research confirms that young people can accumulate protective factors, increasing the likelihood of coping with adverse situations even within poorer life circumstances (39). The HBSC study highlights a range of factors associated with these broad social environments that can create opportunities to improve young people’s health. Read More... |
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