ERIC Number: EJ1315739
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Dec
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Disparities in Local Wellness Policies Implementation across Maryland Schools
Feinberg, Termeh; Parker, Elizabeth; Lane, Hannah; Rubio, Diana; Wang, Yan; Hager, Erin
Journal of School Health, v91 n12 p992-1001 Dec 2021
Background: School-level implementation of district-level local wellness policies (LWPs) is needed to create school environments that promote nutrition and physical activity (PA). Disparities in classroom-specific LWPs implementation were examined. Methods: administrator survey (N = 756 schools; 24/24 districts) included 6 classrooms LWP best-practice items (fully/not fully implemented: restricting food celebrations or rewards, incorporating PA breaks or integrating PA in curricula, restricting withholding or using PA as punishment). A sum score (alpha = .71; elementary and middle/high examined separately) was used to examine associations with student body income (free-and-reduced priced meals (FARMS): [less than or equal to] 40%, 41-75%, [greater than or equal to] 75%), race/ethnicity, and school location (rural/urban/suburban), accounting for district-level clustering, with moderation examined. Results: Classroom implementation scores were: elementary = 3.1 ± 1.8 (range: 0-6/6 items) and middle/high = 2.3 ± 1.6 (range:0-5/5 items). Among elementary and middle/high schools, 65% and 55% had >40% FARMS, 39% and 46% had [greater than or equal to] 50% white student body, and 24% and 23% were urban, respectively. Elementary schools with >40% of FARMS-eligible students and middle/high schools with <25% white students reported implementing fewer items. Location was not associated with classroom practices nor was moderation observed. Conclusions: Disparities in classroom-specific LWP best practices implementation were observed by income and race/ethnicity. Tailored support may be needed to improve classroom LWP implementation in schools serving low-income students.
Descriptors: School Policy, Board of Education Policy, Educational Environment, Nutrition, Physical Activity Level, Administrator Attitudes, Program Implementation, Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Socioeconomic Status, Racial Differences, Ethnicity, Geographic Location
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) (DHHS/NIH); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (DHHS/PHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Maryland
Grant or Contract Numbers: F32DK115146