Public Health Commons^™

Urban-Rural Differences In School Districts' Local Wellness Policies And Policy Implementation Environments, Swati Iyer, Timothy J Walker, Alexandra L Macmillan Uribe, Chad D Rethorst, Rebecca A Seguin-Fowler, Jacob Szeszulski

Journal Articles

Higher rates of obesity in rural compared to urban districts suggest environmental differences that affect student health. This study examined urban-rural differences in districts' local wellness policies (LWPs) and LWP implementation environments. Cross-sectional data from two assessments in Texas were analyzed. In assessment one, each district's LWP was reviewed to see if 16 goals were included. In assessment two, an audit was conducted to identify the presence of a wellness plan (a document with recommendations for implementing LWPs), triennial LWP assessment, and school health advisory councils (SHACs) on the district website. Rural districts' LWPs had a smaller number of total …

Observed And Perceived Benefits Of Providing Physical Activity Opportunities In Elementary Schools: A Qualitative Study, Timothy J Walker, Derek W Craig, Christopher D Pfledderer, Michael C Robertson, Paula Cuccaro, Keisey Fumero, John B Bartholomew

Journal Articles

INTRODUCTION: Schools play an important role in promoting physical activity for youth. However, school-based physical activity opportunities often compete with other academic priorities, limiting their implementation. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore elementary school teacher and staff perspectives on providing physical activity opportunities and how they impact students and learning.

METHODS: We partnered with a school district in Texas to conduct semi-structured individual interviews. We used a purposeful sampling approach to recruit elementary teachers and staff knowledgeable about the physical activity opportunities provided at their school. Interviews included questions about participant opinions of providing physical activity opportunities …