The Role of Parents and Older Peers in School-Based Cardiovascular Prevention Programs: Implications for Program Development

Abstract

This article describes a set of studies which compare the effectiveness of innovative interventions led by older peers and which included a parent component with teacher-led interventions for nutrition, blood pressure, and smoking prevention. Information about the agreement between parents' and children's (grades six through eight) perception of the children's health behavior and family interaction was also found, by surveying parents and children in 1051 households. Both teacher-led and older peer-led interventions were successful in increasing behavioral capabilities for nutrition and blood pressure, measured one year after the interventions. Results of the parent-child survey showed reasonable agreement between parents and children for reports of the child's exercise, dieting, and fast food consumption, but poorer agreement for smoking and perceptions of family interaction. Results are discussed in relation to the planning of future programs designed to address the importance of peer and parental role models.

Adolescent mothers: resilience, family health work and health‐promoting practices

“…1994, Knafl et al. 1996, 2000; Chambers 2000) and its influence on children's health and health practices (Cohen et al. 1989, Donovan et al.…”

“…Families develop patterns of problem-solving and decision-making involving health matters that are reflected in their lifestyle patterns (Pratt 1976, Gillis 1983, Duffy 1988 and the ways in which members respond to health and illness challenges (Pratt 1976, Gillis 1983, Loveland-Cherry 1986, Allen & Warner 2002. The family's role in managing children's chronic illnesses (Pless et al 1994, Knafl et al 1996Chambers 2000) and its influence on children's health and health practices (Cohen et al 1989, Donovan et al 1991 have been documented. However, few studies have examined family health promotion processes, regardless of family structure or situation.…”

Recommendations for Prevention of Childhood Obesity

“…Families have a critical role in influencing children's health, 191 and health is a de facto characteristic of the family lifestyle. 192 Interventions in the parent-child dynamic have evolved from traditional psychotherapeutic models to direct coaching of parents as they interact with their children and to the current view of parenting through the lens of social learning theory.…”

Health Promotion as a Public Health Strategy for the 1990s

“…Worksite health promotion will expand with notable provisions for institutional supports for employee participation (8,21,22,99). Schools will place increasing emphasis on social and organi zational factors in programs for the modification or development of diet and prevention of substance abuse (10,17,23,73,88). In most communities, new emphasis will be placed on concerns with the environment and with housing and other conditions of living that shape the health-related lifestyle of the individuals and families in the community.…”