Longitudinal evaluation of the impact of school characteristics on changes in physical activity opportunities

Abstract

Background Even as many states adopt physical activity policies to promote physical activity and prevent childhood obesity, little is known about differences in policy implementation based on school characteristics. We studied association of school characteristics and changes in physical activity opportunities at the school level during the implementation of a statewide physical activity policy in the state of Georgia.

Physical activity environment inside and outside school and youth fitness: A spatial analysis at the level of elementary school attendance zone in Georgia

“…Recent research based in Georgia found a similar result in which geographical location of schools acted as a predictor of PA opportunities inside school, highlighting the importance of supplementing withinschool policy and environmental interventions to improve health disparities. 28 Lastly, our research could guide interventions to promote PA among youths. In 2021, Georgia ranked 14th in the nation for childhood obesity among youth aged 10 to 17-yearolds.…”

“…Recent research based in Georgia found a similar result in which geographical location of schools acted as a predictor of PA opportunities inside school, highlighting the importance of supplementing within-school policy and environmental interventions to improve health disparities. 28…”

“…Data for school-related PA opportunities were obtained from a web-based school survey conducted by the Georgia Department of Public Health, explained in detail in Rajbhandari-Thapa et al 28 The survey assesses PA opportunities for students in Georgia’s elementary schools as reported by administrators and grade-level teachers. The survey was conducted during the 2013–2014 and 2016-2017 school years; data was averaged across both years; 948 out of 1232 (76%) ESAZs provided data on PA opportunities at schools.…”