Preventive medicine
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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.
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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.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialFIT Kids: Time in target heart zone and cognitive performance.
This present study examined time spent in the target heart zone (THZ) and its relationship to tasks requiring variable amounts of executive control function in prepubescent children participating in a 9-month randomized controlled physical activity program. ⋯ These results suggest that heart rate, as a measure of physical activity intensity, should be closely monitored during research that is intended to make inferences about its effects on cognitive performance as participation in vigorous activities may have specific benefits over lower intensities among prepubescent children.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2011
Estimating the potential of taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages to reduce consumption and generate revenue.
Beverage taxes came into light with increasing concerns about obesity, particularly among youth. Sugar-sweetened beverages have become a target of anti-obesity initiatives with increasing evidence of their link to obesity. Our paper offers a method for estimating revenues from an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages that governments of various levels could direct towards obesity prevention. ⋯ A modest tax on sugar-sweetened beverages could both raise significant revenues and improve public health by reducing obesity. To the extent that at least some of the tax revenues get invested in obesity prevention programs, the public health benefits could be even more pronounced.