2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

331635
Disparities in school wellness: A mixed methods study of school administrators


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Brittany Schuler, MSW, LSW, School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Brit I. Saksvig, PhD, MHS, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD
Joy Nduka, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC
Erin Hager, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Growth and Nutrition Division and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Maureen Black, PhD, Department of Pediatrics and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Chief, Division of Growth and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
School wellness policies (SWP) are mandated to enhance nutrition and physical activity environments. Prior research notes disparities in SWP implementation related to marginalized student bodies. This study examined barriers/enablers to SWP implementation, and whether they vary by majority low-income student-body.  

School administrators from 24 school systems in Maryland (n=757/56%) participated in an online survey including a list of possible barriers/enablers to SWP implementation (top 3 selected in order, selections weighted). Qualitative semi-structured interviews (n=21) were conducted to describe barriers/enablers. Quantitative and qualitative responses were compared by majority of low-income students (>50% Free/Reduced Price Meals, data provided by state) using independent t-tests and qualitative coding (AtlasTi).

Low-income schools were more likely to report understanding the health/achievement link as a barrier (t=-2.59, p=.01) and enabler (t=-2.08, p=.04) and were more likely to report parents (t=-2.12, p=.04), a la cart snack items (t=-2.55, p=.01), and food at parties (t=-2.13, p=.04) as enablers, compared to higher income schools.  In qualitative analyses, administrators of low-income schools discussed parents and the community as barriers, while those in higher income schools discussed barriers related to time, funding, food service, and staff. Administrators in low-income schools discussed funding as an enabler, giving specific examples of funding provided for wellness activities.  Higher income schools discussed school system support, wellness committees, students, and parents as enablers.

Findings suggest that low-income schools may benefit from supports that differ from schools with higher income students. Results will be used to provide targeted implications to improve the implementation of wellness policies and practices.

Learning Areas:

Administration, management, leadership
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe existent barriers and enablers to the implementation of wellness policies and practices in schools. Discuss how to reduce disparities in school health and wellness policies to promote nutrition and physical activity. Formulate ideas of how social workers can collaborate with public health officials and school administrators/staff to bridge the gap between parents/families, the community, and the school to promote wellness policies and practices.

Keyword(s): Wellness, Health Disparities/Inequities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a 3rd year doctoral student who has had ample training in research, worked on multiple research projects and been responsible for maintaining the IRB and human subject protections of multiple projects. I am also the project coordinator for a childhood obesity prevention intervention and served as an intern on the Maryland Wellness Policies and Practices Project. As a student, I have worked closely under the supervision and mentorship of faculty members.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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