A Comparative Analysis of Rural versus Urban Preschool Children's Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption, Body Mass Index and Parent's Weight Status.

Background: Childhood overweight and obesity continues to be a major public health concern, especially in minority, low-income, and rural populations. In order to develop health promotion interventions aimed at reducing obesity rates, there is a need to identify which populations have the highest rates of obesity and the risk factors associated with these high rates.

Methods: Data collected from low-income, preschool children and their parents in an urban community and a rural community in Alabama were analyzed and compared.

Elevated Blood Pressure in Low-Income, Rural Preschool Children is Associated with Maternal Hypertension during Pregnancy.

Hypertension (HTN) is a significant public health problem in adults, and rates of HTN are rising in children as well. The purpose of this study was to determine blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI) levels in low-income, rural preschool children and investigate the relationship between child and maternal factors that impact BP and BMI in these children. Results indicated high rates of overweight/obesity and elevated BP levels in this sample.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Use of Health Care Services in Low-Income, Minority Preschool Children.

Background: The association between weight, blood pressure, and use of health care services is not well understood in low-income, preschool children.

Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis of previously collected data. Body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure were collected during health screenings, and information regarding use of health care services was collected by parent report.

Federal Food Assistance Programs and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Low-Income Preschool Children.

Childhood obesity remains a significant public health concern. Children from lower income households have a greater risk of being obese. Low-income families generally have less access to healthy, affordable food choices and turn to federal food assistance programs.

The Presence of Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Underserved Preschool Children.

This study identified risk factors (ie, high-risk racial/ethnic group, overweight/obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated casual blood glucose, and the presence of acanthosis nigricans) for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in underserved children with or without a family history of diabetes during annual preschool health screenings. Early identification of risk factors for the development of T2DM will allow for effective interventions to be implemented, thus, improving the long-term health-related quality of life of at-risk children.

An innovative approach to health promotion experiences in community health nursing: a university collaborative partnership.

The number of nurses working in community-based practices with a population focus is increasing rapidly, whereas the rate of employment for nurses in hospitals is expected to grow more slowly. The shift in health care toward primary health care and health promotion requires nurse educators to ensure that students learn to practice in collaborative partnerships in community settings. This article describes an innovative collaborative partnership with the Capstone College of Nursing and the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness at The University of Alabama.

Physical therapy and chiropractic use among childhood cancer survivors with chronic disease: impact on health-related quality of life.

Introduction: The use of rehabilitation services to address musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiovascular late effects among childhood cancer survivors could improve physical function and health-related quality-of-life (HRQL). We describe physical therapy (PT) and chiropractic utilization among childhood cancer survivors and their association with HRQL.

Methods: The sample included 5+ year survivors from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (N = 9,289).

Determinants of Mammography Screening Participation in Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors: Results From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

Purpose/Objectives: To identify treatment, intrapersonal, and provider factors that influence childhood cancer survivors' adherence to recommended mammography screening.Design: Secondary analysis of data derived from three consecutive surveys within the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.Sample: Female childhood cancer survivors: N = 335, X age = 30.

Medical screening participation in the childhood cancer survivor study.

Background: Despite their risk for serious late sequelae, survivors of childhood cancer do not adhere to recommended medical screening guidelines. We identified treatment, survivor, physician, and contextual factors that may influence survivor adherence to recommended echocardiography and bone densitometry screening.

Methods: Structural equation modeling of data from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study; 838 participants had received a diagnosis of and were treated for pediatric cancers between 1970 and 1986.

Promoting physical activity in childhood cancer survivors: results from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

Background: Although physical activity may modify the late effects of childhood cancer treatment, from 20% to 52% of adult survivors are sedentary. The authors of this report sought to identify modifiable factors that influence survivors' participation in physical activity.

Methods: Structural equation modeling of data were derived from the Childhood Cancer Survivors Study of adult survivors (current mean age, 30.

Supporting breast self-examination in female childhood cancer survivors: a secondary analysis of a behavioral intervention.

Purpose/objectives: To identify intervention targets that will increase the frequency of breast self-examination (BSE) in female survivors of childhood cancer.

Design: Secondary data analysis of longitudinal clinical trial data.

Setting: Outpatient clinic in a children's research hospital.