Browsing by Author "Messineo, Ashley"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Health-Related Physical Fitness and Activity in Homeschool: A Systematic Review With Implications for Return to Public School
    (Wiley, 2021) Kabiri, Laura S.; Messineo, Ashley; Gattu, Nikhil; Ray, Brian D.; Iammarino, Nicholas K.
    BACKGROUND: The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize what is known about health-related physical fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition) and physical activity among homeschool youth. Findings from this study have implications for all American youth as they return to public school from mandated schooling at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Database engines identified over 22,000 articles with 82 abstracts screened for further review. Of these, 18 full-text articles were additionally screened with 10 cross-sectional articles included in the final review. Articles were condensed into a standard review template and findings were summarized by topic. RESULTS: Cardiovascular endurance findings were inconsistent. Abdominal, but not upper body, muscular strength and endurance were significantly lower in homeschool students. There were no reports on flexibility. Body composition was generally healthy in homeschool students and no differences in physical activity were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Research on health-related physical fitness in homeschool youth is limited and descriptive. Further testing and potential remediation may be needed for cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility in homeschool youth and their public school counterparts as they return to campus. However, existing literature supports healthy body composition and physical activity in this population.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Human Trafficking
    (Rice University, 2019) Jelley, Shannon; Baker, Sierra; Messineo, Ashley; Minarro, Marta Cano; Nwadei, KC
    This document is a guide to leading a workshop on human trafficking in Houston. Included is an explanation of human trafficking's prevalence in Houston and what can be done to combat it. For the workshop, there is a true/false questionnaire, explanation of root causes, and a game demonstrating how the consumption of certain products increases demand for human trafficking.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Increasing Health Literacy
    (Rice University, 2020) Messineo, Ashley
    Low health literacy is a widespread problem in the United States. In 2006, the U.S. Department of Education released the first-ever national assessment of health literacy for English-speaking adults. The survey indicated that 9/10 adults struggle using everyday health information. Possessing health literacy skills is essential for safeguarding against disease and promoting one's overall well being. The paper provides an outlines on the repercussions of low health literacy, noting its impact on the health of patients and costs to the healthcare system. It explores three major policies that have been passed in order to address this issue including the Plain Writing Act, the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy, and the Affordable Care Act. It also offers new and feasible solutions to addressing it which includes: providing funding for literacy programs, increasing translational services, making health literature more clear/concise, and much more.