School Wellness Policies: Employee Participation in the Development Process and Perceptions of the Policies

Autor/inn/en	McDonnell, Elaine; Probart, Claudia
Titel	School Wellness Policies: Employee Participation in the Development Process and Perceptions of the Policies
Quelle	In: Journal of Child Nutrition & Management, 32 (2008) 1 PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1559-5676
Schlagwörter	School Policy; Wellness; Policy Formation; School Personnel; Participation; Employee Attitudes; Satisfaction; Surveys; Nutrition; Program Implementation; Pennsylvania + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Schulpolitik; Well being; Well-being; Wohlbefinden; Politische Betätigung; Schulpersonal; Teilnahme; Arbeitnehmerinteresse; Zufriedenheit; Survey; Umfrage; Befragung; Ernährung
Abstract	Objectives: This study was undertaken to describe school employees' participation in the Local Wellness Policy (LWP) development process, assess satisfaction with LWPs, identify concerns related to implementation, and identify strategies to facilitate successful policy implementation. Methods: A 39-item survey instrument was developed and distributed to 130 participants following five presentations about school nutrition environments. Descriptive statistics were done using SPSS software. Results: One hundred surveys were returned (response rate = 77%). Respondents included school foodservice directors (SFDs) (n= 28), cafeteria managers (n = 22), other school foodservice (SFS) employees (n= 31), teachers (n = 6), secretaries (n = 5), school nurses (n = 3), and five other job titles. Forty-five respondents, indicated involvement in LWP development. Twenty-five of the 28 SFDs indicated being involved, but only five cafeteria managers and 2 other SFS employees indicated involvement. Of the 49 employees not involved, 28 were not familiar with their LWP. Respondents who were involved in policy development were fairly satisfied with the policy (mean = 3.9 ± 1.0, on a 5-point scale with 5 being "very satisfied"). Top concerns about implementation were related to cost, support from key stakeholders, and enforcement. Needs were identified related to communication of data demonstrating links between LWPs and both students' health and academic achievement. Application to Child Nutrition Professionals: This study identified a need for communication about LWPs to those not involved in development of the policies, including SFS employees. Since the majority of SFDs indicated involvement in policy development, SFDs should capitalize on this opportunity to continue to advocate for student health and wellness, promote the benefits of school meals, and market LWPs to the school community. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	School Nutrition Association. 120 Waterfront Street Suite 300, National Harbor, MD 20745. Tel: 301-686-3100; Fax: 301-686-3115; e-mail: servicecenter@schoolnutrition.org; Web site: http://schoolnutrition.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01