Assessing school health education programs

This review focuses on the component of health education directed at achieving changes in health behavior. Much of the work in this field has centered on health behavior that has a role in preventing future disease. Because the evidence is strongest in relation to coronary heart disease (17), considerable effort has been devoted to this area. Walter et al. (34) indicated that the most relevant forms of health behavior to be considered in school-based programs on heart disease are those relating to diet, physical activity, and smoking. Programs relating to each of these behaviors are addressed here.