Latest Health Findings
Get the scoop on recent health-related science about kids! In this section, you'll find out what we're learning through scientific research and you'll also be able to see the details of how scientists came to their conclusions. The more you know about how scientists interpret their results, the better you'll be able to use this knowledge for your own—and your community's—benefit.
Eating Breakfast and School Performance
The study found that children who ate breakfast had:
- Improved math scores
- Better thinking ability
- Reduced absence and tardiness
- Decreased hyperactivity, anxiety and depression
What programs support school breakfasts?
Nutrition and Physical Activity
This study looked at a nutrition and physical activity community program designed for low-income and overweight African-American girls. A small number of participants were studied. What the researcher found was that among those who participated more in the program for 6 months as compared to those who participated less were:
- More social support from family and friends for making diet and exercise changes
- Greater nutrition knowledge on test scores
- More low-fat practices
- Trend toward lower calorie, cholesterol and sodium intake
- No change in physical activity or body mass index
A summary of the study and intervention
School-Based Curriculum and Health
This study looked at the impact of a school-based curriculum on diets and physical activity of fourth- and fifth-grade children in urban settings. The study found that students who participated in the “Eat Well and Keep Moving” curriculum showed evidence of:
- Eating fewer calories from fat
- Eating fewer calories from saturated fat
- Eating more fruit and vegetable servings per day
- Taking in more vitamin C
- Eating more fiber
- Reducing television viewing
A summary of the study and intervention
Physical Education/Physical Activity Program
This study evaluated the sustainability of a physical education/physical activity program designed to help children develop healthy lifestyles. The physical education/physical activity program designed to help children learn how to:
- Enjoy and seek out physical activity
- Develop and maintain acceptable levels of physical fitness
- Develop a variety of basic movement and manipulative skills so they will experience success and feel comfortable during physical activity
- Develop the ability to get along with others in movement environments (e.g., share space and equipment; employ the "golden rule" of competition—to be a good sport; and demonstrate cooperative behavior)