A Statewide Evaluation of Oregon District School Wellness Policies

43 pagesPhysical inactivity and unhealthy eating among U.S. adolescents increase their risk for chronic diseases and many types of cancer. Schools have been identified as effective settings to promote adolescents’ healthy behaviors. This promotion starts with the development of local school wellness policies (LSWP). LSWP are written documents designed to guide a school’s effort in promoting health and well-being. Studies show that the quality of LSWP matter, for example, LSWP quality predicts policy implementation in schools, and in turn, healthier student behaviors. The quality of Oregon’s LSWP is unknown. Also, unknown are the high school-level social and environmental factors associated with the quality of the LSWP. Thus, the aims of the project include describing the quality of a statewide sample of Oregon LSWP, identifying ways to improve the LSWP, as well as determining social and environmental factors (i.e.., racial/ethnic makeup of the school, percent receiving free/reduced-price lunch at the school, rurality of school setting, walkability of area surrounding school) associated with the quality of LSWP. These research questions are answered through the evaluation of each LSWP using the Wellness School Assessment Tool (WellSAT: 2.0). The tool assesses how each policy addresses 78 policy items across six categories. The overall assessment shows the strength of language and comprehensiveness of content of each LSWP in creating school environments that promote students’ health. Based on the evaluation, this study found that the Physical Education & Physical Activity and Wellness Promotion & Marketing categories of LSWP across Oregon need the most improvement. Also, this study found a positive, weak correlation between the strength scores for the Nutrition Standards for Competitive & Other Food/Beverages and Physical Education & Physical Activity LSWP categories, and the percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. The findings can guide state leaders and school districts on next steps in improving their LSWP in order to ultimately improve the health of Oregon students