Student and caregiver acceptability of a school-based intervention to improve sugar-sweetened beverage behaviors: a mixed methods study.

Kids SIPsmartER is a 6-month behavioral and health literacy intervention effective at reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake among middle school students and their caregivers in the rural Appalachian region. This exploratory mixed methods study utilized a convergent parallel design to assess participant acceptability of a school-based curriculum for students and a text messaging program for caregivers. Acceptability was assessed using surveys (873 students and 453 caregivers), five focus groups (34 students) and telephone interviews (22 caregivers).

Associations of Body Mass Index with Self-Rated Health and Weight Perceptions Among Rural Appalachian Adolescent Students.

Background: Adolescents with overweight or obesity are at greater risk of having physical and psychosocial consequences. With increased disparities and inadequate literature on prevalence of adolescent weight status in rural Appalachia, there is potential for further complications. Unfortunately, adolescent obesity treatment options are often limited, especially in medically underserved regions.

Exploring differences in adolescent BMI and obesity-related behaviors by urban, suburban, and rural status.

Data from the nationally representative 2014 Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) study was examined to identify differences in adolescent Body Mass Index (BMI) and obesity-related behaviors by rurality status (i.e., urban, suburban, rural) while accounting for relevant demographics (i.

Beverage behaviors and correlates among Head Start preschooler-parent dyads.

Objectives: To describe beverage behaviors among preschooler-parent dyads and explore correlates with preschooler's beverage behaviors.

Methods: This exploratory, cross-sectional study includes a convenience sample of 202 parents of preschoolers surveyed from four Head Start programs in Virginia and Ohio. Measurements included parent-child beverage behaviors, parent beverage perceptions, parent beverage rules, home beverage availability, and demographics.

Factors Influencing the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake of Caregivers of Adolescents in Appalachia.

Objective: To identify factors that influence the sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake of caregivers of middle school-aged adolescents.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Southwestern Virginia, US, part of Central Appalachia.

Low Health Literacy Is Associated With Energy-Balance-Related Behaviors, Quality of Life, and BMI Among Rural Appalachian Middle School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Many studies document associations between low health literacy (HL) and poor health behaviors and outcomes. Yet, HL is understudied among adolescents, particularly from underserved, rural communities. We targeted rural adolescents in this cross-sectional study and explored relationships between HL and (1) energy-balance-related health behaviors and (2) body mass index (BMI) and quality of life (QOL).