Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals
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Health Promot J Austr · Dec 2008
Double standards for community sports: promoting active lifestyles but unhealthy diets.
Overweight and obesity in Australia is an emerging health concern. Obesity prevention initiatives must consider both physical activity and nutrition to be effective. Community sports venues have the capacity to promote healthy lifestyles through physical activity as well as healthy food choices. ⋯ Children are receiving inconsistent health messages at sporting venues, with healthy lifestyles being promoted through sports participation, but unhealthy dietary choices being provided at sports canteens.
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Health Promot J Austr · Aug 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialPilot of a preoperative smoking cessation intervention incorporating post-discharge support from a Quitline.
The study sought to assess the potential efficacy of a comprehensive smoking cessation intervention for surgical patients. ⋯ Comprehensive smoking cessation interventions initiated preoperatively and incorporating postdischarge support from a Quitline may be efficacious in increasing smoking abstinence.
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Health Promot J Austr · Aug 2008
Framework and tools for planning and evaluating community participation, collaborative partnerships and equity in health promotion.
This paper reports on the development of a planning and evaluation framework and tools to assess key principles of primary health care/health promotion: community participation, collaborative partnerships and a focus on equity. The focus of the tools is on planning and process evaluation with some outcome questions included. ⋯ Planning and evaluation are regarded as routine in good practice. As health promotion practice and programs are shaped by principles such as partnerships, participation and equity, it is important that we also apply an evaluation lens to these components. Sound planning and evaluation allows practitioners to explain how and why these principles are integrated into their work and what is achieved.
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Health Promot J Austr · Apr 2008
Is dog ownership or dog walking associated with weight status in children and their parents?
Several studies have shown that dog owners do more physical activity than non-owners; however, associations with weight status are unknown. This study examined associations between dog ownership, frequency of dog walking and weight status among children and their parents. ⋯ Dog ownership may offer some protection from overweight among young children. It is important that families with a dog are encouraged to walk or play with it regularly. Associations with weight status may depend on the type of dog owned, length of ownership and the nature of walks or interaction.
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Health Promot J Austr · Aug 2007
Comparative StudyFalls from playground equipment: will the new Australian playground safety standard make a difference and how will we tell?
This study describes the trend in incidence of hospitalised falls from playground equipment of children aged 14 years or less in New South Wales (NSW) and considers the potential effectiveness of playground safety standards in reducing the impact of playground-related injuries. ⋯ While severe head injuries have declined between 1992/93 to 2003/04, the increasing trend of upper limb fractures is of concern. Many factors need to be taken into account to assess the effectiveness of playground safety standards. The collection of exposure data is also crucial to be able to calculate the true risk associated with childhood falls from playground equipment.