A proactive classroom management model to enhance self-efficacy levels in teachers of adolescents who display disruptive behaviors.

The aims of this project were to determine teachers' self-efficacy levels at baseline and after participating in a proactive classroom management model intervention. Teachers (N = 26) were recruited from a rural middle school in a south central state. Data required for analysis were drawn from the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (long form). A statistically significant difference (t[25] = 7.68, p < 0.001) was noted in teachers' self-efficacy levels from pre- to post-intervention. Findings support the need for proactive classroom management training for teachers as well as the need for psychiatric and mental health nurse consultants within the school system. Teacher classroom management strategies should also include appropriate response to individual student's needs, effective communication, and insight regarding the behaviors of students from diverse backgrounds.

Parental depression, family functioning, and obesity among African American children.

Obesity has reached an epidemic level in America (National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS] 1999), and this epidemic is more acute for African Americans than for other groups ofAmericans. In this study, 44 parent-child dyads completed measurements of height, weight, depression, and body fat composition. In addition, parents completed a demographic questionnaire, and instruments, which measured family functioning, parental psychopathology, child behavior, and cardiovascular risks. Several models emerged for predicting childhood and parental body mass index, parental depression, and child behavioral problems. Findings indicated a role for parental depression in childhood obesity. These findings are discussed in light of Bandura 's Social Cognitive Theory, and the family's role in childhood obesity.

Parental depression, family functioning, and obesity among African American children.

Obesity has reached an epidemic level in America (National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS] 1999), and this epidemic is more acute for African Americans than for other groups of Americans. In this study, 44 parent-child dyads completed measurements of height, weight, depression, and body fat composition. In addition, parents completed a demographic questionnaire, and instruments, which measured family functioning, parental psychopathology, child behavior, and cardiovascular risks. Several models emerged for predicting childhood and parental body mass index, parental depression, and child behavioral problems. Findings indicated a role for parental depression in childhood obesity. These findings are discussed in light of Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, and the family's role in childhood obesity.

Challenges and issues facing the future of nursing education: implications for ethnic minority faculty and students.

Current trends in higher education in the United States demand that nursing take stock of how it is prepared or being prepared to face challenges and issues impacting on its future. The intense effort made to attract students to pursue advanced training in science and engineering in the United States pales in comparison to the numbers of science and engineering majors produced yearly in international schools. As a result, more and more jobs are being outsourced to international markets. Could international outsourcing become a method of nursing education? Authors submit that to remain competitive, the nursing profession must attract a younger cohort of technologically savvy students and faculty reflective of the growing diverse population in the United States. Additionally, nursing programs in research universities face even more daunting challenges as it relates to mandates for funded research programs of educational units. This article offers suggestions and recommendations for nursing programs in higher education institutions on ways to attract and retain ethnic minorities and of how to harness the power of research to address burgeoning societal health challenges.

Parental depression, family functioning and obesity among African American children.

Obesity has reached an epidemic level in America (National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS] 1999), and this epidemic is more acute for African Americans than for other groups of Americans. In this study, 44 parent-child dyads completed measurements of height, depression, and body fat composition. In addition, parents completed a demographic questionnaire, and instruments, which measured family functioning, parental psychopathology, child behavior, and cardiovascular risks. Several models emerged for predicting childhood and parental body mass index, parental depression, and child behavioral problems. Findings indicated a role for parental depression in childhood obesity. These findings are discussed in light of Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, and the family's role in childhood obesity.

A focus group study of African-American obese children in Mississippi.

Obesity is at epidemic levels in the United States and other western countries. Ethnic minority children are disproportionately affected. The purposes of this study are to provide a framework for conducting focus group studies and to inform regarding the experiences of overweight AA children. Seventeen children, ages 8 -11, participated in the study. Six themes emerged were: (1) Weight Wish, (2) Peer Relations, (3) Family Life, (4) Favorite Foods, (5) Entertainment and Physical Activities, and (6) Weight reduction activities. Results suggest that children desire to lose weight, but may not have the mechanisms at home or school to support this desire. The Davis' Checklist for conducting focus groups of children is provided.

Parental depression, family functioning and obesity among African American children.

Obesity has reached an epidemic level in America (National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS] 1999), and this epidemic is more acute for African Americans than for other groups of Americans. In this study, 44 parent-child dyads completed measurements of height, depression, and body fat composition. In addition, parents completed a demographic questionnaire, and instruments, which measured family functioning, parental psychopathology, child behavior, and cardiovascular risks. Several models emerged for predicting childhood and parental body mass index, parental depression, and child behavioral problems. Findings indicated a role for parental depression in childhood obesity. These findings are discussed in light of Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, and the family's role in childhood obesity.

A descriptive analysis of CRRIC II results: cardiovascular risks of African-American children in Mississippi.

The burgeoning problem of overweight and obesity in US children, adolescents, and adults has reached epidemic proportions. Data from the CRRIC I study conducted in 2000 in Jackson, Mississippi among elementary African-American children indicated that 39% of the boys and 49% of the girls had BMIs at or above the 85th percentile. The current study replicated CRRIC I in a sample of 113 African American Children in the third and fourth grades in the rural town of Canton, Mississippi. Results revealed that 46% of the boys and 46% of the girls had BMI at or above the 85th percentile. Fitness profile results revealed that only 11% of the children were classified as fit, 84% were classified as fair, and 5% were deemed unfit. As in CRRIC I, health histories of grandparents were positive for the comorbities of overweight and obesity: diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. These data indicate a critical need to aggressively intervene to impact the lifestyle choices of this generation.

Assessing cardiovascular risk in children: the Jackson, Mississippi CRRIC Study.

According to the NHANES III study, obesity, a cardiovascular risk factor, is now an epidemic in the United States. An estimated 97 million adults and one in five children between 6 and 17 are overweight. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among a group of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at two randomly chosen elementary schools in Jackson, Mississippi. The sample consisted of 246 ethnic minority children. Results revealed that 16% of the boys had systolic blood pressures at or above the 90th percentile for sex and age and 13% had abnormally high diastolic blood pressures. For girls, 8% exhibited systolic blood pressures and 21% had diastolic blood pressures at or above the 90th percentile. Body mass index (BMI) levels revealed that 39% of the boys and 49% of the girls had BMIs at or above the 85th percentile for age and sex.

Childhood obesity reduction by school based programs.

Childhood obesity has become one of the most common health problems facing children in America. Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reveal that ethnic minority children in the United States are at particular risk for development of cardiovascular disease due to their disproportionate levels of obesity. In treating childhood obesity among ethnic minorities, practitioners need to be mindful of the cultural norms surrounding body size. Additional concerns that must be addressed include the effects of target marketing of unhealthy foods toward ethnic minorities and environmental deterrents to outside physical activities, to name a few. Strategies given to address the problem of childhood obesity among ethnic minorities include, increasing the child's physical activity, reducing television viewing and the adoption and maintenance of healthy lifestyle practices for the entire family.