Anastasia Snelling1, Sarah Irvine Belson2, Erin Watts1, Elizabeth Malloy3, Hugo Van Dyke3, Stephanie George4, Sandra Schlicker5, Nancy Brenowitz Katz6. 1. Department of Health Studies, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016. 2. School of Education, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016. 3. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016. 4. Navy Federal Credit Union, 820 Follin Ln SE, Vienna, VA 22180. 5. Schlicker and Associates, 1431 33rd St, NW, Washington, DC 20007. 6. School Partnerships, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, 2525 SW 1st Street, Portland, OR 97201.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: With the rise in childhood obesity, school policies related to nutrition and physical activity have been written and implemented. In this paper, we present a model to evaluate the degree to which state legislation for school health policies are implemented at the school level. METHODS: Using Washington, DC's Healthy Schools Act (HSA) and a self-report measure of the implementation of the HSA, we illustrate the process of developing a composite score that can be used to measure compliance with the provisions of the law. RESULTS: We calculated elementary and middle school composite scores based on the provisions within the HSA. Schools have been successful in implementing nutrition provisions; however, more resources are needed for schools to achieve the minutes of health and physical education. We found statistically significant differences between public charter and traditional public schools on the implementation of the provisions of the HSA. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding how schools are complying with school wellness policies is a next step to determining where additional resources or support are needed in order to support school-wide adoption of healthy policies.
BACKGROUND: With the rise in childhood obesity, school policies related to nutrition and physical activity have been written and implemented. In this paper, we present a model to evaluate the degree to which state legislation for school health policies are implemented at the school level. METHODS: Using Washington, DC's Healthy Schools Act (HSA) and a self-report measure of the implementation of the HSA, we illustrate the process of developing a composite score that can be used to measure compliance with the provisions of the law. RESULTS: We calculated elementary and middle school composite scores based on the provisions within the HSA. Schools have been successful in implementing nutrition provisions; however, more resources are needed for schools to achieve the minutes of health and physical education. We found statistically significant differences between public charter and traditional public schools on the implementation of the provisions of the HSA. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding how schools are complying with school wellness policies is a next step to determining where additional resources or support are needed in order to support school-wide adoption of healthy policies.
Authors: Jeannette R Ickovics; Kathleen O'Connor Duffany; Fatma M Shebl; Sue M Peters; Margaret A Read; Kathryn R Gilstad-Hayden; Marlene B Schwartz Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2019-01 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Kim D Reynolds; David B Buller; Julia Berteletti; Kim Massie; Jeff Ashley; Mary K Buller; Richard T Meenan; Xia Liu Journal: J Sch Health Date: 2020-03-06 Impact factor: 2.118