Background: The issue of childhood overweight and obesity has become a global public health crisis. School-based interventions have been developed and implemented to combat this growing concern. The purpose of this review is to compare and contrast U.S. and international school-based obesity prevention interventions and highlight efficacious strategies. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted utilizing five relevant databases. Inclusion criteria were: (1) primary research; (2) overweight or obesity prevention interventions; (3) school-based; (4) studies published between 1 January 2002 through 31 December 2013; (5) published in the English language; (6) child-based interventions, which could include parents; and (7) studies that reported outcome data. Results: A total of 20 interventions met the inclusion criteria. Ten interventions each were implemented in the U.S. and internationally. International interventions only targeted elementary-aged students, were less likely to target low-income populations, and were less likely to be implemented for two or more years in duration. However, they were more likely to integrate an environmental component when compared to U.S. interventions. Discussion: Interventions implemented in the U.S. and internationally resulted in successful outcomes, including positive changes in student BMI. Yet, varying approaches were used to achieve success, reinforcing the fact that a one-size-fits-all approach is not necessary to impact childhood obesity. However, building on successful interventions, future school-based obesity prevention interventions should integrate culturally specific intervention strategies, aim to incorporate an environmental component, and include parents whenever possible. Consideration should be given to the potential impact of long-term, frequent dosage interventions, and subsequent follow-up should be given attention to determine long-term efficacy.

Background: Emerging data suggest that direct oral anticoagulants may be a suitable choice for anticoagulation for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). However, conducting high-quality trials in CVT is challenging as it is a rare disease with low rates of adverse outcomes such as major bleeding and functional dependence. To facilitate the design of future CVT trials, SECRET (Study of Rivaroxaban for Cerebral Venous Thrombosis) assessed (1) the feasibility of recruitment, (2) the safety of rivaroxaban compared with standard-of-care anticoagulation, and (3) patient-centered functional outcomes. Methods: This was a phase II, prospective, open-label blinded-end point 1:1 randomized trial conducted at 12 Canadian centers. Participants were aged ≥18 years, within 14 days of a new diagnosis of symptomatic CVT, and suitable for oral anticoagulation; they were randomized to receive rivaroxaban 20 mg daily, or standard-of-care anticoagulation (warfarin, target international normalized ratio, 2.0–3.0, or low-molecular-weight heparin) for 180 days, with optional extension up to 365 days. Primary outcomes were annual rate of recruitment (feasibility); and a composite of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, major extracranial hemorrhage, or mortality at 180 days (safety). Secondary outcomes included recurrent venous thromboembolism, recanalization, clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding, and functional and patient-reported outcomes (modified Rankin Scale, quality of life, headache, mood, fatigue, and cognition) at days 180 and 365. Results: Fifty-five participants were randomized. The rate of recruitment was 21.3 participants/year; 57% of eligible candidates consented. Median age was 48.0 years (interquartile range, 38.5–73.2); 66% were female. There was 1 primary event (symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage), 2 clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding events, and 1 recurrent CVT by day 180, all in the rivaroxaban group. All participants in both arms had at least partial recanalization by day 180. At enrollment, both groups on average reported reduced quality of life, low mood, fatigue, and headache with impaired cognitive performance. All metrics improved markedly by day 180. Conclusions: Recruitment targets were reached, but many eligible participants declined randomization. There were numerically more bleeding events in patients taking rivaroxaban compared with control, but rates of bleeding and recurrent venous thromboembolism were low overall and in keeping with previous studies. Participants had symptoms affecting their well-being at enrollment but improved over time. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT03178864.

No abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe the integration of experiential learning focused on health coaching in a graduate health promotion and behavior change course and (2) evaluate the impact of the experiential learning experience on students' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy related to health coaching. Method. All graduate students enrolled in a health behavior course were introduced to skills related to health coaching (N = 15). Students partnered with a campusbased physical activity program for obese college students and were paired up with participants of the program as their health coaches. All students (i.e., health coaches) were sent e-mail invitations to participate in the research study prior to the program's start and on completion of the semester. Participation in the online survey indicated consent for participation in the study. The survey questions sought to gauge health coaches' gain in knowledge and self-efficacy as a result of being immersed in the experiential learning process. Results. Students reported improved comfortability with the skills necessary to be a health coach (p = .02), improved self-efficacy for health coaching skills (p ≤ .05), and improved knowledge scores (p = .003). The majority (n = 6; 75%) of the students also reported that the experiential learning and participation as a health coach was beneficial. Conclusion. Incorporating experiential learning into an existing health promotion course was beneficial, particularly in improving health coaching skills. Considering the growth of the health coaching field, this strategy may be integrated into additional programs training future health educators and health promotion professionals.

Aim: Evaluate the impact of a campus-based culinary nutrition education program, the College CHEF: Cooking Healthfully Education for Life-long Change, to determine if there were significant differences pre-to post-intervention with participants' attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge with healthy eating/ cooking. Background: College students have high rates of overweight and obesity and tend to have unhealthy dietary practices. Culinary nutrition programs may provide students a means to improve related attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge. Methods: College students residing on campus were recruited. Participants completing both pre-and postmeasures were included in analysis: Control (n= 17) and intervention groups (n = 15). Quasi-experimental pre-, post-design: Surveys were administered to both groups at baseline and post-intervention in OctoberNovember 2015.Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in fruit and vegetable consumption (p = .03) and with knowledge of cooking terms and techniques (p < .001). Conclusions: Campus-based culinary nutrition education programming has potential to positively impact college students' fruit and vegetable consumption and cooking knowledge. Future programs should incorporate strategies such as additional opportunities to engage in hands-on practice and building crosscampus collaborations to promote sustainability.