BACKGROUND: Schools have the unique potential to provide numerous opportunities for promoting physical activity. This article describes findings from a statewide survey of opportunities for physical activity in West Virginia (WV) schools. The purpose was to provide baseline data for two of the WV Healthy People 2010 objectives related to schools and youth to identify priorities for action. METHOD: Survey questions were adapted from the 2000 School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS), conducted by CDC. Random stratified sampling across school level and size resulted in a final sample of 296 elementary schools, 146 middle and junior high schools, and 124 high schools (total = 566). The overall response rate was 73%. RESULTS: Eleven percent of elementary, 2% of middle or junior high, and 31% of senior high schools met the SHPP's criterion of providing daily physical education. Ninety-four percent of elementary schools reported offering daily recess. Overall, 42.3% of schools provided student and community access to indoor facilities outside of normal school hours, while 80.7% of schools provided access to outdoor facilities beyond normal school hours. CONCLUSIONS: Survey results are being used to target increased physical education in elementary schools and increased opportunities beyond physical education at all school levels.
BACKGROUND: Schools have the unique potential to provide numerous opportunities for promoting physical activity. This article describes findings from a statewide survey of opportunities for physical activity in West Virginia (WV) schools. The purpose was to provide baseline data for two of the WV Healthy People 2010 objectives related to schools and youth to identify priorities for action. METHOD: Survey questions were adapted from the 2000 School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS), conducted by CDC. Random stratified sampling across school level and size resulted in a final sample of 296 elementary schools, 146 middle and junior high schools, and 124 high schools (total = 566). The overall response rate was 73%. RESULTS: Eleven percent of elementary, 2% of middle or junior high, and 31% of senior high schools met the SHPP's criterion of providing daily physical education. Ninety-four percent of elementary schools reported offering daily recess. Overall, 42.3% of schools provided student and community access to indoor facilities outside of normal school hours, while 80.7% of schools provided access to outdoor facilities beyond normal school hours. CONCLUSIONS: Survey results are being used to target increased physical education in elementary schools and increased opportunities beyond physical education at all school levels.
Authors: Deborah R Young; Gwen M Felton; Mira Grieser; John P Elder; Carolyn Johnson; Jung-Sun Lee; Martha Y Kubik Journal: J Sch Health Date: 2007-01 Impact factor: 2.118
Authors: Molly M Scott; Deborah A Cohen; Kelly R Evenson; John Elder; Diane Catellier; J Scott Ashwood; Adrian Overton Journal: Prev Med Date: 2006-12-29 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: Brit I Saksvig; Diane J Catellier; Karin Pfeiffer; Kathryn H Schmitz; Terry Conway; Scott Going; Dianne Ward; Patty Strikmiller; Margarita S Treuth Journal: Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med Date: 2007-02
Authors: JoAnn Kuo; Kathryn H Schmitz; Kelly R Evenson; Thomas L McKenzie; Jared B Jobe; Ariane L Rung; Joel Gittelsohn; Russell R Pate Journal: J Phys Act Health Date: 2009-03