Preventive medicine
-
Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
CommentCommentary: Soda taxes, obesity, and the shifty behavior of consumers.
Rising obesity is a threat to public health, and taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in order to reduce consumption and thus caloric intake could be a viable policy response. But raising the price of SSB calories will raise the quantity demanded of relatively cheaper calories, and net effect on obesity is unclear. I review the evidence on shifting calorie demand and discuss the viability of soda taxes to achieve improvements in public health.
-
Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
ReviewA review of chronic and acute physical activity participation on neuroelectric measures of brain health and cognition during childhood.
A growing body of research has detailed the beneficial relation of chronic participation in--and acute responses to--physical activity on aspects of cognition that underlie scholastic achievement. Here, we review the relevant neuroelectric findings on this beneficial relation in children, providing support for the influence of physical activity on specific cognitive processes that comprise academic performance. ⋯ Physical activity may influence brain health and cognition in children, leading to enhanced scholastic performance and greater overall effective functioning across the lifespan.
-
Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
ReviewThe association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance: a systematic review of the literature.
The purpose of this review is to synthesize the scientific literature that has examined the association between school-based physical activity (including physical education) and academic performance (including indicators of cognitive skills and attitudes, academic behaviors, and academic achievement). ⋯ Results suggest physical activity is either positively related to academic performance or that there is not a demonstrated relationship between physical activity and academic performance. Results have important implications for both policy and schools.
-
Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
ReviewClassroom-based physical activity, cognition, and academic achievement.
There is increasing evidence for the association between physical activity, cardiovascular fitness, fatness, and cognitive function during childhood and adolescence. Evidence also suggests that these variables are linked to academic achievement. Classroom-based physical activity provides a viable approach to improve fitness, body mass index (BMI), cognitive function, and ultimately academic achievement. ⋯ Future research examining the effects of physically active academic instruction is warranted. The impact of physically active academic lessons of greater intensity may provide larger benefits for body mass index and academic achievement.
-
Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
ReviewImpact of short bouts of physical activity on attention-to-task in elementary school children.
The study's objective was to describe the measurement of on-task behavior and review the research on the effects of short physical activity breaks on attention-to-task in elementary school students, with a particular focus on a promising approach to improving on-task behavior with short bouts of physical activity in the classroom setting. ⋯ Attention-to-task is a variable that directly relates to concerns of classroom teachers. The limited available research has demonstrated moderate to good evidence that physical activity during the school day improves attention-to-task in elementary school students. Because of the positive effects of physical activity on attention-to-task, it is recommended that elementary school teachers consider implementing physical activity sessions throughout the school day in the form of recess and classroom-based physical activities.