Publication Date

11-7-2013

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Local wellness policy, Physical education

Abstract

Introduction
The federally mandated Local Wellness Policy (LWP) was intended to promote student health in schools. This study assesses the 5-year effects of the LWP on the health practices of rural elementary schools in Colorado.

Methods
One year before and 5 years after the LWP mandate, a survey was administered to a random sample of principals, physical education (PE) teachers, and food-service managers in 45 rural, low-income elementary schools in Colorado. Response rates were 71% in 2005 and 89% in 2011.

Results
Minutes for PE and recess did not increase, nor did offerings of fresh fruits and vegetables. More schools adopted policies prohibiting teachers from taking recess away as punishment (9.7% in 2005 vs 38.5% in 2011, P = .02) or for making up missed instructional time, class work, or tests in other subjects (3.2% in 2005 vs 28.2% in 2011, P = .03). More schools scheduled recess before lunch (22.6% in 2005 vs 46.2% in 2011, P = .04) and developed policies for vending machines (42.9% in 2005 vs 85.7% in 2011, P = .01) and parties (21.4% in 2005 vs 57.9% in 2011, P = .004).

Conclusion
Changes in school practices are modest, and arguably the important school practices such as increased PE and recess time and increased offerings of fruits and vegetables in the lunch line have not changed in the 5 years since the mandate went into effect. Further investigation is needed to identify the knowledge, skills, and attitudes as well as financial and physical resources required for school administrators to make changes in school practices.

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Publication Statement

Copyright held by the author or publisher. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Elaine S. Belansky, Nicholas J. Cutforth, Lynn Gilbert, Jill Litt, Hannah Reed, Sharon Scarbro, Julie A. Marshall

Provenance

Received from author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

10 pgs

File Size

516 KB

Publication Title

Preventing Chronic Disease

Volume

10

First Page

1

Last Page

10

Comments

Originally published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Preventing Chronic Disease. View published version here: https://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd10.130002



Share

COinS