Phoenix, AZ - (NewMediaWire) - March 07, 2019 - For The Earth Corporation (the “Company” or “FTEG”) (OTCMKTS: FTEG) is thrilled to announce the launch of its new line of premium pharmaceutical grade anti-aging Topical CBD Skin Care products under the brand designation “Clean Life”. The line of products includes Day Cream, Night Cream, Eye Serum, Face Serum, and Face Mask, all infused with the Company’s full spectrum THC-free CBD oil.“Our analysis suggests that Topicals are the gateway product for mass adoption of CBD by the mainstream marketplace for consumable goods in North America,” noted CEO Nelson Grist. “The total CBD market is expected to bloom by more than a factor of 20 over the next three years according to some leading estimates. That process is going to be powered by mainstream adoption of CBD, which may be led by products like those we are launching today because people are already used to skin creams with exotic botanical elements. It’s easier for the average person to discover CBD this way.”According to Cannabis Business Times, the market for CBD Topicals grew by 44% last year as mainstream adoption of skin care products containing CBD accelerated. The overall skin care products market is estimated to hit $148 billion next year, according to Statista research.“We are building a vertically integrated model,” continued Mr. Grist. “Our success is ultimately going to be a function of branding. We are different from the ground up. Our CBD products will carry our Clean Life brand designation and come from our own extraction process. Top to bottom, we are going to embody what we believe our customers will value most.”Management notes that this initial launch is in a product testing phase, and the Company wants its shareholders to test the new line of products to find out how potent and effective they are. Anyone interested in trying a sample of this new line is encouraged to email a request to: infofteg@gmail.com and include a name and address. The first 50 requests will receive a sample package (Face Mask is not included).About For The Earth CorporationFor The Earth Corporation is an emerging integrated CBD producer and retailer in the United States. The Company is in the process of establishing a vertical framework that will extend from cultivation to extraction and production to a strategic retail footprint that includes multiple locations in Las Vegas and New York featuring mall kiosks, vending machines, e-commerce, and full store locations serving both the human and pet CBD markets. Two mall leases have been signed recently in Las Vegas, with another vending machine location secured in New York City. The Company plans to expand its New York vending machine penetration by the end of 2019. In addition, the Company has begun early-stage work to establish a state-of-the-art CBD extraction and production facility in Eugene, OR.Forward-Looking StatementsExcept for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and are subject to risks and uncertainties. See For The Earth’s filings with OTC Markets, which may identify specific factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.Safe Harbor StatementThis release includes forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and reflect management's current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of these factors include: general global economic conditions; general industry and market conditions, sector changes and growth rates; uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; increasing competition; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success; the level of expenditures ...
Fort Worth, TX - (NewMediaWire) - March 7, 2019 - Water Now, Inc., (OTC: WTNW), a leader in water purification solutions, today announced it has retained Porter, LeVay & Rose, Inc. (“PLR”) as its investor relations consultant. Discussing the engagement, David King, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Our mission continues to be to develop and refine a mobile water purification system that is capable of converting pond, river and salt water into clean drinking portable water. Porter, LeVay & Rose understands this mission and is as enthusiastic as us to help solve this global problem. I’m very excited to have PLR as our advisor.”Michael Porter, President of Porter, LeVay & Rose, commented: “Water is a basic human right yet 844 million people in the world don’t have access to clean water. But, Water Now has come up with innovative and cost-effective solutions to solve this problem. We are delighted to be working with Water Now, Inc. The company’s amazing technology will prove to be game changing in the water purification space and assist in providing safe drinking water from virtually any water source available.”Forward Looking StatementsStatements in this document contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on many assumptions and estimates and are not guarantees of future performance. These statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements Water Now, Inc. to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Water Now, Inc. assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Our actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation those set forth as "Risk Factors" in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). There may be other factors not mentioned above or included in the Water Now's SEC filings that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. Water Now, Inc. assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by securities laws.Jaclyn Osborn 817-900-9184 josborn@waternowinc.com www.waternowinc.com
In LOPEC, the European Event for Printed Electronics That Successfully Brings Together Technologies and BusinessMIGDAL HA'EMEK, ISRAEL - (NewMediaWire) - March 07, 2019 - PV Nano Cell, Ltd. (OTCQB: PVNNF) ("PV Nano Cell" or the "Company"), an innovative producer of conductive digital inks and provider of inkjet-based digital printing solutions, today announced it will be exhibiting in the LOPEC exhibition, the leading event for Printed Electronics in Europe, March 20th to 21st in Munich Germany (https://www.lopec.com/). Visit Hall B0 Booth 101.PV Nano Cell will launch in the exhibition its complete solution offering for the printed electronics, mass-production applications. The company will also show its latest ink developments, sample applications focused on mass production and the integrated printer for design, prototyping and R&D – DemonJet™.PV Nano Cell has designed & implemented a solution approach that allows customers to fully realize the potential of inkjet-based electronics printing for mass production applications. The first successful implementation of such a solution is the result of a cooperation with Dip-Tech, a FERRO company. Ferro & Dip-Tech are selling inks & printers for the purpose of printing on wide glass applications, architecture & automotive with hundreds of printers installed. Dip-Tech has recently introduced printers and ink for conductive printing based on PV Nano Cell’s Sicrys™, silver-based ink. The first mass production application is in automotive, printing electrical patterns on windshields.This successful cooperation for mass production application demonstrates PV Nano Cell’s approach to offer a complete solution: ink, printer and printing process.PV Nano Cell now offers customers industrial-grade proven family of inks and mass-production printers. In addition PV Nano Cell develops for the customer the printing process, The Process relates to the recipe, fine details and know-how of using the printer and ink to obtain the desired results for mass-production 24/7 printing. Such know-how may include: ink properties' tweaking, printer parameters setup, printer modifications, tailored sintering instructions and more. Finally, for mass-production customers, requiring above 400 kg of ink annually, PV Nano Cell offers subsidized printers.We encourage you to approach us with your needs and requirements in digital printing mass production electronics applications.PV Nano Cell, Ltd.PV Nano Cell has developed innovative conductive inks for use in printed electronics (PE) and solar photovoltaics (PV) applications. PV Nano Cell's Sicrys™ ink family is a single-crystal, nano metric metal conductive ink delivering enhanced performance. Sicrys™ is available in silver and copper-based form, both compatible with many inkjet print heads and mass production enablers (high throughput printing, high quality and competitive pricing). Sicrys™ conductive inks are used all over the world in a range of inkjet printing applications, including photovoltaics, printed circuit boards, antennas, sensors, touchscreens and other applications. For more information, please visit www.PVNanoCell.com.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward–looking statements. The words or phrases "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward–looking statements." All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forward–looking statements. This includes all statements about the Company's plans, beliefs, estimates and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates and projections, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward–looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include issues related to: rapidly changing technology and evolving standards in the industries in which the Company operates; the ability to obtain ...
Atlanta, GA - (NewMediaWire) - March 07, 2019 - Viratech Corp. is pleased to announce the filing of financial statements as of September 30, 2018. This was due to the company, aside from entering the marketing phase of its products, had made two acquisitions during the first half of 2018, both of which will be discussed further in news releases. The company had to bring all accounting records to full GAAP compliancy and gained knowledge of these deficiencies in late 2018 when the holiday season had commenced. In the future, the company does not expect for this to be an issue as the company plans to timely file its annual report and maintain full compliance with such deadlines. Cambridge Golf, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Viratech Corp. (OTC PINK: VIRA), continues to target the rapidly growing multi-billion-dollar US market for golf, nutrition, and wellness products with the acquisition of Medori, LLC (www.medoricbd.com), headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Medori produces and markets the finest CBD products in the world, by using the finest organic hemp grown to the strictest standards to ensure the highest quality. In addition, Medori is dedicated to the research and development of premium hemp extracts containing a wide array of cannabinoids and organic hemp derivatives. Medori CBD products are available uninhibitedly in all 50 states as they are produced using federally legal CBD. Products can be purchased immediately on its web site, www.medoricbd.com, for domestic and select international delivery, as well as plans to be in select retailers.With Cambridge focusing on a generational game such as golf where the core demographic continues to age and the main injuries sustained during play tend to be of the muscular and joint related nature, the emerging CBD market with the benefits of such products allow golfers to potentially extend their playing years by adding CBD to their daily golf ritual. With the addition of Medori, Cambridge Golf continues to position itself to bring innovation to the golfing market with creative performance, nutrition, and health/wellness products.“The addition of Medori CBD is in line with our strategy of organic and inorganic (acquisitions) growth to ensure long term shareholder and Company value,” commented Craig Forney, President and Chief Executive Officer. He added, “We are pleased to add Dr. Anthony Didato, Dr. Brian Pugh and their team to Cambridge, Medori will continue to serve its existing markets with current and future products. We have plans to leverage their market leading product formulations and packaging/branding acumen to create industry leading golf focused CBD products under our Gimme Brand. Details of this acquisition caused a small delay in Cambridge Golf financial reporting filings as we needed to ensure full accounting compliance and completeness.”“Cambridge Golf is a platform to accelerate innovation for the golfing market. We are excited to join their team of companies and add innovative and beneficial CBD products to expand their market coverage,” stated Dr. Anthony Didato, Managing Partner Medori CBD. He added, “CBD oil can help to regulate sleep, mood, pain and inflammation, allowing you to maintain an internal balance despite the ups and downs of life - and your golf game!”About Cambridge Golf:Cambridge Golf is publicly traded holding company that designs and manufactures innovative sporting goods, clothing, supplements and accessories to the sports, nutrition and golf markets. The Company plans on continuing to extend and deepen its product lines to include other progressive market segments through acquisitions and organic growth of existing product lines. Cambridge Golf is publicly traded on the OTC market under the symbol (VIRA). www.cambridgegolfing.comForward-Looking Statements:This press release includes forward-looking statements concerning the future performance of our business, its operations and its financial performance and condition, and also includes selected operating results presented without the context of accompanying financial results. These ...
Pueblo, CO - (NewMediaWire) - March 07, 2019 - CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK: CGRW), A Liaison and Consultant providing turnkey solutions to licensed growers -- CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. announces the Huerfano County Building Department has issued a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, as of March 6, 2019, based upon the completion of construction of the 1,600 sq. ft. steel building to be used exclusively for the Drying, Curing, and Packaging of the Cannabis being harvested at the Colorado Buffalo Ranch Facility. Delmar Janovec, CEO, stated, “Like everything else that has been built at the Colorado Buffalo Ranch Facility, the new building is State of the Art. The facility is 100% Climate Controlled, designed and built exclusively for Drying, Curing, and Packaging. The different computerized systems will work concurrently to eliminate humidity fluctuations caused by the extreme variance of temperature ranges within each 24-hour period in Southern Colorado. A special heavy-duty foam insulation was used throughout the entire building to stabilize indoor temperatures within a few degrees. Humidifier and Dehumidifier Systems were installed along with cutting edge Sensory Technology. Janovec went on to say, "Our objective was to create an ideal hermetic and sanitary environment to eliminate any potential mold, mildew, or fungus threats that can occur during the Drying, Curing, and Packaging Process, and that is exactly what has been accomplished. This 1600 sq. ft. facility will adequately handle the winter production cycles currently taking place in the six (6) 2,880 sq. ft. Climate Controlled IGC Ranger Series 2000 Greenhouses in addition to the Summer/Fall harvest that have already proven to be in excess of one thousand (1,000) pounds of product. With this building project checked off of the list we can start to look toward the future expansion into Phases III, IV, and V of our Master Plan."Rod Clawson, “Managing Director of Category One Botanicals, the Licensed Grower at the Colorado Buffalo Ranch Facility added, I am continually amazed at how far C1B has come since receiving the Colorado State Recreational Growers License back in April of 2016. With a committed developer like NuGro Industries and a Property Manager like CannaGrow Holdings, I can see Category One Botanicals taking a lead role in the Cannabis Industry in the State of Colorado.”CannaGrow Holdings, Inc., the Liaison and Representative for NuGro Industries, will continue in its capacity of providing oversight as the Property Manager, working with the State/County Agencies and Category One Botanicals, LLC, the Licensed Grower for the facilities. The completion of this project will now provide the company the basis to begin generating revenues from Licensed Growers subleasing the Turnkey facilities being built to the specifications of Consultants, Dr. John P. Janovec, and Jason Wells.About CannaGrow Holdings, Inc.:CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. has entered the Medical/Recreational Cannabis Industry as a Lessor, Liaison, and Consultant to licensed Growers providing them with turnkey Growing Facilities in the State of Colorado. The Company intends to expand this business model within this industry as business opportunities evolve whereby providing for the highest return to its shareholders.CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. does not and will not, until Federal law allows, grow, harvest, distribute, or sell marijuana or any substance that violates the laws of the United States of America.CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. encourages the public to read the above information in conjunction with its year-end statement for December 31, 2017, and the quarterly statements filed in calendar year 2018, at: www.otcmarkets.com. The information contained in this press release may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements usually contain the words "may," "could," "possibly," "feel," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," or similar expressions that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the Company's uncertain profitability, need for ...
Houston, TX, March 06, 2019 (NewMediaWire) -- AngioSoma, Inc. (OTC: SOAN) announced today the Company is excited about recent news of accomplishments of Diabetes Relief LLC, whose patented process and procedures treat the root cause of diabetes, instead of just the symptoms, resulting in patient improvement greater than with conventional treatment. Diabetes Relief Adds Key Milestones for 2019Diabetes Relief is meeting its goals for new licensed facilities by adding a third Houston captive facility and licensing new centers in Austin, California, and Florida. “Diabetes Relief is poised to improve the lives of millions of diabetics all over the world,” said Scott Hepford, Manager of Diabetes Relief LLC. Diabetes Relief’s Georgia Facility Exceeds ExpectationsDiabetes Relief reports that its licensee in Southeast Georgia has exceeded all hopes for profitability and patient improvements and is looking to expand to Atlanta. “This is what we have envisioned for the Company, and it is exciting to see it happen,” stated Brian Loveridge, MD, Regional Medical Director for Diabetes Relief LLC. “As Diabetes Relief continues to see improvement where conventional treatment has failed, the demand for its patented product are booming,” Dr. Loveridge added. Kerrie Dawson, CEO of DR’s first Georgia expansion, reported that “DR is worth the investment in so many ways for a practice, and we have saved one lady’s leg from amputation!” Diabetes Relief Licensed Facilities Grow to 11With the addition of licensed facilities in Jacksonville, Florida, and Thousand Oaks, California, Diabetes Relief’s patented treatment is now offered in 11 facilities and the company is working hard to keep up with the demand for licenses. “We are making plans for a comprehensive peer-reviewed, double-blind study of our amazing process that is changing so many lives once believed hopeless,” said Dr. Stanley Lewis, the Company’s Chief Medical Officer, “while handling the many requests for licenses.” ABOUT DIABETES RELIEF LLC Diabetes Relief LLC is a privately-held company that began in 2015 with one facility in Houston. Diabetes Relief’s patented process helps patients with all metabolic disorders, dominated by diabetes. Patients report improvements with Diabetes Relief's physiologic insulin administration that they have found nowhere else and with no other treatment or prescription drugs. Its rapidly growing licensees now provide services and products in 5 states and 3 other countries that promote healthier living and an improved quality of life for those living with diabetes and other metabolic dysfunction. Information and patient testimonials are available at www.diabetesrelief.com.ABOUT ANGIOSOMA, INC.AngioSoma, Inc. (https:// angiosoma.com), a Nevada corporation based in Houston, Texas, is dedicated to improving the mental and physical wellbeing of men and women. To accomplish that purpose, we are launching a line of supplements under our Somaceuticals™ common identity. Our supplements cover three industry segments: nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and pharmaceuticals.NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTSSafe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements that include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipate,” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.CONTACT AngioSoma, Inc. Alex Blankenship investors@AngioSoma.com (832) 781-8521
Los Angeles, California, March 06, 2019 (NewMediaWire) -- EUREKA Vapor is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding letter of intent (“LOI”) for the acquisition of all issued and outstanding shares of Eureka Vapor LLC and all of its subsidiaries (“Eureka”) by North Bud Farms Inc. (CSE: NBUD) (OTCQB: NOBDF) ("NORTHBUD" or the "Company"). EUREKA Vapor is a U.S. multi-state cannabis operator.Eureka, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries holds Manufacturing and Distribution licenses in the states of California and Colorado. Eureka manufactures and sells a premium line of disposable vapor pens as well as multi-use cartridge-style vapor pens and hardware. Eureka has been operating in California and Colorado since 2011 and 2015, respectively, showing significant organic growth year over year. In 2018, Eureka recognized revenue of approximately CAD$11.5 million* with a net profit margin of 16%* from its California and Colorado operations. Eureka anticipates further growth in revenue due to anticipated changes to retail regulation of adult cannabis use in California. Eureka products are currently available in over 100 retail stores. (*all figures are unaudited). For more information about Eureka Vapor, visit: www.eurekavapor.com. “Aligning ourselves with NORTHBUD provides Eureka with both exposure to the Canadian public markets as well as the largest federally legal adult-use market in the world,” says Justin Braune, CEO of Eureka Vapor. “We will be working with the NORTHBUD team to introduce our product line into the Canadian market for the fourth quarter of 2019 when vape pens will be permitted.”“The opportunity to partner with a recognized brand in some of the most developed retail markets in North America is an exciting development for NORTHBUD,” says Ryan Brown, CEO of NORTHBUD. “We believe that vape cartridges represent a high margin and high-growth product segment of the market. The Eureka team are proven operators and possess an unmatched product knowledge which is evidenced by the strong brand loyalty that they have established.”About North Bud Farms Inc.North Bud Farms Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary GrowPros MMP Inc., is pursuing a licence under The Cannabis Act. The Company is constructing a state-of-the-art purpose-built cannabis production facility located on 95 acres of Agricultural Land in Low, Quebec. North Bud Farms Inc. will be focused on Pharmaceutical and Food Grade cannabinoid production in preparation for the legalization of edibles and ingestible products scheduled for October 2019.For more information visit: www.northbud.comAbout Eureka Vapor LLC.Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, EUREKA Vapor was founded in 2011 and holds licenses in both California and Colorado. EUREKA Vapor's multi state operation (MSO) manufactures and sells a premium line of vaporizer cartridges, disposable vapor pens and proprietary vaporizer batteries designed to work with their highly sought-after CO2 extracted oil. Using their refined extraction processes and techniques developed over almost a decade of extracting, EUREKA Vapor is committed to providing the cleanest and safest natural oil cartridges in the industry. Long referred to as one of the leaders in the industry, EUREKA has one of the most loyal customer bases in the category which reflects their commitment to honesty and transparency above all else. EUREKA continually looks for innovative ways to improve and refine their product offerings in order to deliver the best, most consistent vaping experience in the industry. For more information visit: www.eurekavapor.comFOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: sales@eurekavapor.comJustin Braune justin@eurekavapor.com
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ, March 06, 2019 (NewMediaWire) -- Nephros, Inc. (OTCQB: NEPH), a commercial stage medical device company that develops and sells high performance liquid purification ultrafilters, today announced that it will issue its fourth quarter and year-end 2018 financial results on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. The company will also host a conference call at 10:00 AM ET, during which management will discuss the company's financial results and provide a general business overview.Participants may dial into the following number to access the call: 866-652-5200. International callers may use +1-412-317-6060. Please ask to be joined into the Nephros conference call. A replay of the call can be accessed until March 19, 2019 at 1-877-344-7529 or 1-412-317-0088 for international callers, and entering Replay Access Code: 10129217. An audio archive of the call will be available shortly after the call on the Nephros investor relations page at https://www.nephros.com/investor-relations/.About Nephros, Inc.Nephros is a commercial stage medical device company that develops and sells high performance liquid purification filters, known as ultrafilters. Nephros ultrafilters are primarily used in hospitals and medical clinics for added protection in retaining bacteria (e.g., Legionella, Pseudomonas), viruses, and endotoxins from water. They provide barriers that assist in improving infection control in showers, sinks, and ice machines. Additionally, Nephros ultrafilters are used by dialysis centers for assisting in the added removal of biological contaminants from the water and bicarbonate concentrate supplied to hemodialysis machines and the patients.For more information about Nephros, please visit the company’s website at www.nephros.com. Contact: Investor Relations Contact: Andy Astor CFO, Nephros andy@nephros.com (201) 345-0824
SAN DIEGO, CA, March 06, 2019 (NewMediaWire) -- RF Industries, Ltd, (NASDAQ: RFIL), a national manufacturer and marketer of interconnect products and systems, today announced it has been invited to present at the following investor conferences in March 2019:2nd Annual LD Micro Virtual ConferenceWednesday, March 13th at 7:30 am PTwww.ldmicro.com31st Annual ROTH ConferenceMonday, March 18th at 3:30 pm PTFireside chat (webcast available)The Ritz Carlton, Laguna NiguelRF Industries President and CEO Robert Dawson, and CFO Mark Turfler, will present and host one-on-one meetings with investors at the ROTH Conference. Meetings can be scheduled through ROTH or through MKR, RF Industries’ investor relations firm.To access a live webcast or replay of the presentations at these conferences, visit the investor relations section of the company’s website at www.rfindustries.com.About RF IndustriesRF Industries designs and manufactures a broad range of interconnect products across diversified, growing markets including wireless/wireline telecom, data communications and industrial. The Company's products include RF connectors, coaxial cables, wire harnesses, fiber optic cables and custom cabling. The Company is headquartered in San Diego, California with operations in New York and Connecticut. Please visit the RF Industries website at www.rfindustries.com.Contacts: RF Industries Mark Turfler SVP/CFO (858) 549‑6340 rfi@rfindustries.com MKR Investor Relations Inc. Todd Kehrli Analyst/Investor Contact (323) 468-2300 rfil@mkr-group.com
Study Highlight: Middle-school children in New York City were less likely to be absent from school after they became more physically fit, particularly for girls attending schools in high poverty neighborhoods. Embargoed until 3 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT Wed., March 6, 2019 (NewMediaWire) - March 06, 2019 - HOUSTON - Increasing physical fitness among middle-school children attending schools in New York City was associated with decreasing absenteeism from school, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2019, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in population-based cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians. “In a previous study we found a strong relationship between middle schoolers’ health-related fitness improvement and school absenteeism reduction. In this study, we looked specifically at whether the fitness-absenteeism relationship changed in middle schoolers exposed to different types of poverty,” said study author Emily D'Agostino, Dr.P.H., M.S., M.Ed., M.A., senior researcher and epidemiologist, Miami-Dade County Dept of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces in Miami, Florida. “We found that children who started the study as chronically absent were no longer missing enough school to be at high risk for the negative factors associated with chronic absenteeism, such as substance abuse, increased rates of teen pregnancy or juvenile delinquency,” D’Agostino said. “We saw the biggest improvements for youth attending schools in high poverty neighborhoods and in girls attending schools with a high proportion of students qualifying for free/reduced-price school meals.” Researchers studied available information on more than 360,000 6th through 8th graders in public schools within the five boroughs of New York City over a seven-year period, all of whom received annual physical fitness assessments. Of that group, 67 percent were black or Hispanic, 51 percent were male, and 69 percent qualified for free or reduced-price school lunches. Poverty was assessed by individual student household income, percent of students qualifying for free/reduced-price school meals and/or by neighborhood statistics. Although all students showed reductions in absenteeism if they had improvements in fitness, boys and girls experiencing high poverty in their home, school and/or neighborhood experienced a dose-response relationship between being more fit and being less likely to be absent from school. Girls in high-poverty neighborhoods experienced the greatest reduction in absenteeism – an 11 percent improvement in attendance a year after they had a large increase in physical fitness. The findings point to the need for more research looking at interventions that might help all children and teens – particularly those exposed to poverty – to improve their fitness and how those interventions impact absenteeism. The American Heart Association recommends providing all students with 150 minutes per week of physical education in elementary schools and 225 minutes per week in middle schools and high schools. Co-authors are: Sophia E. Day, M.A.; Kevin J. Konty, Ph.D.; and Katarzyna Wyka, Ph.D. Author disclosures are on the abstract. This study did not receive outside funding. Additional Resources: Multimedia including AHA volunteer expert, Penny M. Kris-Etherton, PhD, RDN, LDN, FAHA, offers perspective (via Zoom). Download and transcript available on the right side of the release link https://newsroom.heart.org/news/improving-physical-fitness-strongly-linked-to-lower-absenteeism-for-new-york-city-middle-schoolers?preview=cb07f38c568582b2ef3ba975e6231b5b How Can I Help My Child Be More Physically Active For more news from AHA EPI Lifestyle Conference 2019, follow us on @HeartNewsTwitter #EPILifestyle19. Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The ...
