Urban-Rural Differences in School Districts' Local Wellness Policies and Policy Implementation Environments

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 T...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nutrients 2024-03, Vol.16 (6), p.801
Main Authors: Iyer, Swati, Walker, Timothy J, MacMillan Uribe, Alexandra L, Rethorst, Chad D, Seguin-Fowler, Rebecca A, Szeszulski, Jacob
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adolescent
children
Chronic illnesses
Cross-Sectional Studies
exercise
Health Education
Health Policy
Health Promotion
Humans
Meals
nutrition
Nutrition Policy
Obesity
physical activity
Public health advisory groups
School districts
School Health Services
Schools
Students
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Summary: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 goals (B = -2.281, = 0.014), nutrition education goals (B = -0.654, = 0.005), and other school-based activity goals (B = -0.675, = 0.001) in their LWPs, compared to urban districts. Rural districts also had lower odds of having a wellness plan (OR = 0.520, 95% CI = 0.288-0.939), = 0.030) and a SHAC (OR = 0.201, 95% CI = 0.113-0.357, < 0.001) to support LWP implementation, compared to urban districts. More resources may be needed to create effective SHACs that can help develop and implement LWPs in rural areas. Important urban-rural differences exist in Texas LWPs and LWP implementation environments.
ISSN:2072-6643
2072-6643
DOI:10.3390/nu16060801