TY - JOUR
T1 - State Agency Support of Weight-Related School Policy Implementation
AU - Grannon, Katherine Y.
AU - Larson, Nicole
AU - Pelletier, Jennifer
AU - O'Connell, Michael J.
AU - Nanney, Marilyn S.
PY - 2018/9
Y1 - 2018/9
N2 - BACKGROUND: In this study, we describe state agency strategies to support weight-related policy implementation in schools, and examine the association among state support, obesity prevalence, and strength of state policies governing school nutrition and physical education. METHODS: The 2012 School Health Policies and Practices Study describes prevalence of implementation support state agencies provided to schools/districts. Implementation support items were analyzed by weight-related policy area (eg, advertising, wellness policy) and by type of support (eg, technical assistance). Results were summed to create a total weight-related policy support score. Linear regression was used to examine associations between policy support and state youth obesity prevalence (2011-2012 National Survey for Children's Health), overall and stratified by state policy strength (2012 Classification of Laws Associated with School Students). RESULTS: States provided support most commonly for school meals and wellness policies (89% and 81%, respectively) and least often for after-school PE (26%). Most states (80%) provided technical assistance. The total weight-related policy support score had a significant positive association with state-level youth overweight/obesity prevalence (p =.03). CONCLUSION: State agencies appear to be responding to their youth obesity prevalence with technical support. Schools and state agencies should work in collaboration to provide a healthy school environment for all students.
AB - BACKGROUND: In this study, we describe state agency strategies to support weight-related policy implementation in schools, and examine the association among state support, obesity prevalence, and strength of state policies governing school nutrition and physical education. METHODS: The 2012 School Health Policies and Practices Study describes prevalence of implementation support state agencies provided to schools/districts. Implementation support items were analyzed by weight-related policy area (eg, advertising, wellness policy) and by type of support (eg, technical assistance). Results were summed to create a total weight-related policy support score. Linear regression was used to examine associations between policy support and state youth obesity prevalence (2011-2012 National Survey for Children's Health), overall and stratified by state policy strength (2012 Classification of Laws Associated with School Students). RESULTS: States provided support most commonly for school meals and wellness policies (89% and 81%, respectively) and least often for after-school PE (26%). Most states (80%) provided technical assistance. The total weight-related policy support score had a significant positive association with state-level youth overweight/obesity prevalence (p =.03). CONCLUSION: State agencies appear to be responding to their youth obesity prevalence with technical support. Schools and state agencies should work in collaboration to provide a healthy school environment for all students.
KW - school health
KW - school policy
KW - technical assistance
KW - youth obesity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85051423048&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85051423048&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/josh.12673
DO - 10.1111/josh.12673
M3 - Article
C2 - 30133777
AN - SCOPUS:85051423048
VL - 88
SP - 685
EP - 692
JO - Journal of School Health
JF - Journal of School Health
SN - 0022-4391
IS - 9
ER -