Assessing a novel application of web-based technology to support implementation of school wellness policies and prevent obesity

Abstract

Childhood obesity is one of the most pressing public health concerns in the United States. Because schools are a critical site to promote wellness and prevent obesity, extensive policy and legislative efforts have focused on school-based food services, nutrition education, physical education, and overall physical activity. Unfortunately, research indicates that most of these policies prove ineffective due to insufficient implementation. A small number of web-based programs have emerged that are designed to support the implementation of school wellness policies. The purpose of the current study is to present and interpret findings from an evaluation of the web-based portion of a program implemented throughout the state of Pennsylvania. In total, 192 registered users completed a survey designed to evaluate their utilization and perceptions of the web-based features of the Health eTools for Schools program. Participants represented the following stakeholder groups: school nurses, teachers, wellness coordinators, administrators, and food service directors. Findings indicate the web-based portion of the Health eTools for Schools program is comprehensive, well-designed, and has the potential to support implementation of school wellness policies geared toward obesity prevention. At present, the webbased features are most effective in providing school nurses with tools and resources

Use of Data Mining to Reveal Body Mass Index (BMI): Patterns Among Pennsylvania Schoolchildren, Pre‐K to Grade 12

“…A second implication involves eTools as a de facto surveillance system. Intended to help school nurses be more efficient and designed to produce routine utilization reports, when employed on a large scale eTools compiles accurate mineable data that can generate actionable results using few additional resources . The current study demonstrated the efficacy of this eTools function, which could conceivably be expanded to investigate many other health issues including diabetes, asthma, allergies, immunizations, screening results, and injuries.…”

“…Previous evaluation found eTools to be a comprehensive, well‐designed program with the potential to support school wellness policies. Web‐based features provide school nurses with tools and resources for working more efficiently . Owing to eTools' proven benefits and ongoing support from InnerLink, school nurses across Pennsylvania routinely collect and report expansive amounts of potentially valuable student health information that can be subjected to data‐mining techniques…”

Trends in Body Mass Index and Prevalence of Extreme High Obesity Among Pennsylvania Children and Adolescents, 2007–2011: Promising but Cautionary

“…10 Along with unique identifiers, gender, and date of birth, medical data were compiled in a data repository maintained by InnerLInk (Lancaster, PA), the company that provides Health eTools at no cost to schools through funding from the Highmark Foundation. 9 All applicable federal and state safeguards of family and student rights, both medical and educational, were followed in the compilation of these data. Access was provided to deidentified data on the InnerLink server via a password-protected Internet link.…”

Evaluation of a community-based positive youth development program based on Chinese junior school students in Hong Kong

“…The attention given to youth problems such as substance use and violence on or off campus is growing (1) and numerous studies have been done to understand such adolescent development issues (2,3). In response to the growing adolescent problems, many prevention and intervention programs have been designed and implemented, with some of them proven to be effective (1,4). Shek (2) investigated and reviewed adolescent developmental problems in Hong Kong, including substance abuse, adolescent crime especially shoplifting and stealing, adolescent mental health problems such as psychosis and anxiety, unhealthy life styles such as smoking and early sexual behaviors, family problems, and the growing number of those living in poverty or unemployed.…”