School Wellness--It's Everyone's Job! Findings from the Massachusetts School Wellness Needs Assessment

Autor/inn/en	Wickham, Catherine A.; Crosier, Michael; Lehnerd, Megan; McGrail, Karen; Courtney, Denise; Good, Nicole
Titel	School Wellness--It's Everyone's Job! Findings from the Massachusetts School Wellness Needs Assessment
Quelle	In: Journal of Child Nutrition & Management, 44 (2020) 2, (15 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1559-5676
Schlagwörter	Wellness; Barriers; School Policy; Influences; Nutrition; School Personnel; Stakeholders; Massachusetts + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Well being; Well-being; Wohlbefinden; Schulpolitik; Influence; Einfluss; Einflussfaktor; Ernährung; Schulpersonal; Master-Studiengang
Abstract	Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the enablers and barriers to implementation of local school wellness (LSW) policies in Massachusetts schools. Findings will help inform the development of resources to support school nutrition directors and other important stakeholders who have the potential to influence implementation of these policies. Methods: This study used a mixed methods approach to identify perceived enablers and barriers to implementing LSW policies as perceived by school nutrition personnel and other LSW stakeholders. Through a multi-phase Delphi process, a survey with six sections and 63 questions was developed. The survey was pilot tested with school nutrition stakeholders (n=19) and the final survey emailed to all Massachusetts School Food Authorities (n=452). Additionally, the survey was sent to additional stakeholder contacts including the Parent Teachers Association School Nurses Associations, Teachers Association, etc., in Massachusetts. To gain a deeper understanding of the perceptions of barriers and enablers to LSW policy implementation, a sample of survey participants (n=47) was also interviewed by telephone. Descriptive data, including frequencies, were analyzed across survey questions. Qualitative data from the interviews were reviewed for themes. Results: A total of 948 surveys and 47 interviews were conducted. Most frequently selected people-related enablers included School Foodservice/Nutrition Staff (55%); Administrators (48%); and the School Wellness Committee (40%). Frequently cited process-related enablers included current district/school wellness policy (e.g., what is included; 53%); current district/school wellness policy implementation (e.g., how the policy is implemented; 53%); overall nutrition and physical activity resources (46%); overall school wellness (emotional, mental and social) resources (46%); and coordination of services related to health and wellness (39%). Common survey people-related barriers related included parents/families (52%); classroom teachers (52%); and administrators (32%). Process-related barriers included foods served at class parties or other social events (54%); and personnel time available for wellness-related activity (44%); and funding for school wellness policy (42%). Conclusions and Applications: The implementation of school wellness policies is shaped by the many enablers and barriers that schools and stakeholders experience. A variety of people (administrators, teachers, and parents) and processes (food served outside the cafeteria, time, funding) represent areas of opportunities to increase the support of and ultimately implementation of LSW policies. Results of this study will help inform the development of resources to support schools throughout Massachusetts. (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	2024/1/01