Arts, Culture, and Creativity as a Strategy for Countering the Negative Social Impacts of Immigration Stress and Gentrification.

. This article looks at the role that arts, culture, and creativity play in promoting social cohesion and community well-being. It presents research on the role that a community arts center plays in an ethnic enclave that is under stress of immigration and gentrification.

Modifying dietary risk behaviors to prevent obesity and dental caries in very young children: results of the Baby Steps to Health pediatric dental pilot.

Objectives: To describe the design, feasibility, and acceptability of a theory-informed obesity and dental caries prevention pilot study, Baby Steps to Health, conducted in an academic dental clinic among a primarily Asian immigrant population.

Methods: Baby Steps used self-determination theory and behavioral motivation strategies for a caregiver/child (6-36 months) nutrition and oral health behavior change intervention implemented in a pediatric dental clinic. Caregivers completed a dietary practice assessment to identify risk behaviors and potential courses of action.

Relationship Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Weight Status, and Academic Performance: Longitudinal Evidence From 1 School District.

Objectives: We examined the longitudinal relationship between cardiovascular fitness (CRF) and academic performance (AP) among students in a diverse public school district. Furthermore, we determined whether the relationship between CRF and AP varied by student sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: This study used data from 2005-2006 to 2008-2009.

Healthy Living Behaviors Among Chinese-American Preschool-Aged Children: Results of a Parent Survey.

Associations between diet, physical activity, parenting, and acculturation among Chinese-American children are understudied. Parents/caregivers of children attending child-care programs in Boston Chinatown completed a self-administered survey on demographics, child's diet, physical activities, anthropometrics, and parenting practices. Associations were evaluated in multivariable regression analysis, stratified by survey language preference, a proxy for acculturation.

Increasing Children's Physical Activity During the School Day.

Insufficient levels of daily physical activity (PA) among children in the USA and worldwide have profound implications for pediatric obesity and children's health and well-being more generally. Public health recommendations highlight the central role that schools play in providing equitable opportunities for PA for all children. This review identifies evidence-based approaches for increasing children's PA throughout the school day and discusses multilevel factors that support implementation of such approaches.

The role of recreational spaces in meeting physical activity recommendations among middle school students.

Background: There is growing recognition of the importance of recreational space utilization for promoting physical activity (PA) among youth.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 926 diverse 6th-8th grade students in Somerville, MA. Participants completed the 2007 Youth Risk Surveillance Survey (YRBS).