Lucas C. Moore

Exploring the Relationship Between Parental Concern and the Management of Childhood Obesity

Parental concern about child weight has been identified as a factor in parental monitoring and regulation of child diet. However, little is known about factors that influence parental concern or about how concern may influence parent management of child physical activity. The objectives of the current study were to identify the factors associated with parental concern about child weight and determine if parental concern is associated with specific actions to improve diet and increase physical activity. A stratified random sample of 1,500 parents of children in kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, and 9th grade were interviewed. Interviews addressed: (a) child and parent physical activity, (b) child and family nutrition, (c) child and parent BMI weight category, (d) interactions with health care providers, (e) parent obesity knowledge, (f) school assessment of BMI, and (g) parent perception of and concern about child weight. Child gender, weight status, and parent perception of child weight were significant predictors of parental concern. Parents were significantly more likely to report concern if their child was female, they believed their child to be overweight/obese, or their child was overweight/obese as indicated by BMI percentile. Concerned parents were significantly more likely to limit child screen time, take steps to improve child diet, and increase child physical activity than were parents who reported no concern. Treatment and prevention efforts should emphasize parental concern and awareness about child weight by providing accurate feedback on child weight status and education regarding the health risks associated with childhood overweight and obesity. Schools can play an important role in this process through the incorporation of BMI screenings.

Overweight and obesity among low-income women in rural West Virginia and urban Los Angeles County.

We described the prevalence of overweight and obesity among low-income women in rural West Virginia (WV) and urban Los Angeles County (LA County). Both communities participated in the national Communities Putting Prevention to Work program during 2010-2012. In each community, we completed health assessments on adult women recruited from public-sector clinics serving low-income populations. All participants answered survey questions regarding socio-demographics and diets. In both jurisdictions, we assessed obesity using objectively measured height and weight (calculated BMI). As part of each community case study, we performed multivariable regression analyses to describe the relationships between overweight and obesity and selected covariates (e.g., dietary behaviors). Overweight and obesity were prevalent among low-income women from WV (73%, combined) and LA County (67%, combined). In both communities, race and ethnicity appeared to predict the two conditions; however, the associations were not robust. In LA County, for example, African American and Hispanic women were 1.4 times (95% CI=1.12, 1.81) more likely than white women to be overweight and obese. Collectively, these subpopulation health data served as an important guide for further planning of obesity prevention efforts in both communities. These efforts became a part of the subsequent Community Transformation Grants portfolio.

Safety Matters: How One District Addressed Safety Concerns

Abstract As a result of Columbine and other events, states and districts across the United States have responded with vigor to a call for a renewed focus on school safety. This paper examined one such effort undertaken by Harrison County Public Schools, located in West Virginia. The district received federal funding for surveillance equipment used to enhance safety efforts at middle and high schools, as well as to coordinate a collaborative relationship with local emergency responders. This paper used qualitative and quantitative measures to examine the impact of this project on teachers and administrators in the district. Results indicated that a substantive focus on school safetyincluding surveillance equipment significantly impacted perceptions of safety. However, administrators should consider the impact of school culture when implementing these new changes.

Building Collaboration in Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Rehabilitation.

ABSTRACT This study explored the perceived external and internal issues that may have an effect on collaborative ventures designed to provide vocational rehabilitation services to persons with substance use disorders. Participants in the study were professionals from substance abuse (SA) treatment and vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies in 1 state located in the north central United States. Analyses revealed SA professionals to have higher perceptions of their abilities in working with clients with substance use disorders than did VR professionals. In addition, participants ranked 10 potential barriers to employment for individuals with substance use disorders and provided 3 potential barriers to collaboration. The rankings of potential barriers to employment for clients with substance use disorders were similar for the 2 groups; however, SA professionals placed more emphasis on internal barriers, whereas VR counselors placed more emphasis on external barriers. The most frequently reported barriers to...

Implementing District Safety Standards at the Site Level

Since 9/11 and Columbine, school safety has become a prevalent issue in education policy in the United States. As a result, states and school districts have responded with innumerable efforts to improve school safety. Harrison County Schools, located in West Virginia, received federal funding to supplement surveillance equipment at middle and high schools in the district. This equipment was used to help address school behavior issues and safety, as well as to establish a collaborative relationship with local emergency responders. This article is a case study of the lead school in the project, Robert C. Byrd High School. Qualitative and quantitative data revealed that enhanced technology had a significant and positive effect on perceptions of safety. However, administrators should be careful to recognize school culture as the deciding factor in implementing safety efforts.