A Novel Policy Alignment and Enhancement Process to Improve Sustainment of School-Based Physical Activity Programming

Bibliographic Data

ID15484304
AuthorsPenelope Friday (0000-0002-7049-358X, University of Michigan), Lexie R Beemer (0000-0002-1064-1798, University of Michigan), Diane Martindale (Birch Run Area Schools, Birch Run, MI 48415, USA), Amy Wassmann (Saginaw Valley State University), Andria B Eisman (0000-0002-4100-6543, Wayne State University), Thomas Templin (0000-0002-9602-8686, University of Michigan), Thomas J Templin (0000-0001-5936-0009, University of Michigan), Ronald F Zernicke (0000-0003-3898-9507, University of Michigan), Lynn Malinoff (0000-0001-5468-838X, Eastern Michigan University), Audrey James Schwartz (0009-0005-8485-0612, University of Michigan), Anna Schwartz (0000-0001-6893-0261, University of Michigan), Tiwaloluwa A Ajibewa (0000-0001-5756-5975, University of Michigan), Michele W Marenus (0000-0001-9737-8920, University of Michigan), Rebecca E Hasson (0000-0003-4526-2656, University of Michigan, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume20
Issue3
Pages1791-1791
Publication date2023-01-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph20031791
PMID36767157
OpenAlexW4317510133
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited27

The purpose of the current study was twofold: (1) to evaluate the strength and comprehensiveness of district wellness policies in one central Michigan intermediate school district (ISD; 16 districts), and (2) to pilot a novel policy alignment and enhancement process in one district within the ISD to improve sustainment of district-wide physical activity (PA) programming. Policy evaluation and alignment were determined using WellSAT 3.0. The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework was used to guide a seven-step policy alignment and enhancement process. Initial evaluation of the PA policy for the ISD revealed a strength score of 19/100 (i.e., included weak and non-specific language) and 31/100 for comprehensiveness (i.e., mentioned few components of the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program). For the pilot school district, initial strength scores were 19/100 and 38/100 for comprehensiveness (exploration). An alignment of the tailored PA policy with current practices resulted in a 100% increase in strength (score of 38/100), and 132% increase in comprehensiveness (score of 88/100; preparation). However, district administrators encountered barriers to adopting the tailored policy and subsequently integrated the PA requirements into their curriculum guide and school improvement plan (implementation and sustainment). Future research should examine the effectiveness of our EPIS-informed policy evaluation, alignment, and enhancement process to promote widespread increases in student PA

Business · Curriculum · Geography · Mathematics education · Medical education · Operations management · Pedagogy · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Plan (archaeology · Process (computing · Process management · School district · Community Health and Development · Computer Science · Engineering · Health Policy Implementation Science · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology