AbstractsMedical & Health Science

Assessment of School Administrator and Teacher Perspectives of School Nutrition and Health: Opportunities for Going Further

by Jacquelyn Nickel




Institution: Oklahoma State University
Department:
Year: 2015
Posted: 02/05/2017
Record ID: 2077052
Full text PDF: http://hdl.handle.net/11244/45289


Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is an increasing concern for youth. What was once considered an adult onset disease is now impacting younger generations, especially Native American youth. Because youth spend the majority of their day at school, this project aimed to explore policy, system, and environmental factors influencing healthy school environments, foods offered at school, and fundraising policies. The goal of this research was to improve and expand the Eagle Adventure program to have influence at additional levels of the socioecological model so we can work in coordination with schools to expand the levels of influence necessary to prevent type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions in Indian Country.Methods: The sample population included teachers and school administrators at an elementary school in the Chickasaw Nation�s jurisdictional boundaries with intent to include the Eagle Adventure program in the upcoming year. All teachers and administrators were invited to participate in a group discussion, dyad, or individual interview. The semi-structured script was developed by senior team members and reviewed by additional team members prior to use. Reviewers made suggestions related to flow and clarity of questions to address face validity. Discussions, interviews, and dyads were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Overall, limited knowledge of school wellness policies was expressed. The primary concern related to foods offered in the school environment was addressing hunger. The need to address food insecurity/hunger superseded healthy school food offerings. There was an overall consensus recommending the need for kid friendly food options and snacks; widely implemented wellness policy; and the need to address funding shortages. Conclusions: Increased communication to relate awareness and adaptation of school policies is needed. Funding shortages were identified as a major factor impeding the adoption of healthy school policies. Awareness related to funding demands attention of policy makers who have influenced in funding recommendations. Implications for research and/or practice: The results from this study cannot be generalized due to the limited sample size and geographic representation. Additional studies at the local level are recommended to identify factors influencing the adaptation and utilization of school policies. Advisors/Committee Members: Parker, Stephany P. (advisor), Hermann, Janice (committee member), Gates, Gail (committee member).