The Whole-of-School Approach to Physical Activity

Abstract

Introduction The IOM recommends schools adopt a Whole-of-School (WOS) approach—one that is comprehensive, coordinated, and provides opportunities for students to be active before, during, and after school. This study examined, in a nationally representative sample of secondary students in the conterminous U.S.: (1) the degree of implementation of a WOS approach; and (2) the association between WOS implementation and student physical activity. Methods A WOS index—based on six school practices—was calculated using self-reported school administrator data gathered in 2010 and 2011 (N=1,031). Student-level data were obtained from nationally representative samples of eighth, tenth, and 12th grade students during the same years (eighth grade, nschools=96, nstudents=3,689; tenth/12th grades, nschools=178, nstudents=4,670). Multilevel Poisson models were estimated in 2013–2014 to examine the relationship between the WOS index and self-reported physical activity. Results Few students attended schools with high WOS index scores. Middle school students attending schools with higher WOS index scores were physically active for at least 60 minutes on more days than students attending schools with lower WOS index scores (exp[β]=1.031, 95% CI=1.008, 1.054). The WOS index score was not associated with physical activity among high school students. Conclusions This study finds that many schools are not offering the full array of practices comprising a WOS approach to physical activity, especially at the high school level. Yet, middle school students could have increased physical activity levels if schools were to implement a WOS approach to physical activity.

Where are Children Active and Does it Matter for Physical Activity? A Latent Transition Analysis

“…For example, a national study found that, on average, middle school students attend schools that implemented only 4 out of the 6 physical activity policies and practices that were examined (i.e., shared use, intramural sports, interscholastic sports, active transport, activity breaks, recommended amounts of PE). 27 Importantly, middle school students who attended schools that implemented more physical activity practices and policies were physically active for at least 60 minutes on more days compared to students who attended schools with fewer physical activity practices and policies in place . 27 …”

“…27 Importantly, middle school students who attended schools that implemented more physical activity practices and policies were physically active for at least 60 minutes on more days compared to students who attended schools with fewer physical activity practices and policies in place . 27 …”

Relationship Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Weight Status, and Academic Performance: Longitudinal Evidence From 1 School District

“…The results support school programs designed to maintain or improve CRF among students and suggest that such programs should be continued throughout the duration of middle school. The Institute of Medicine promotes a whole‐of‐school approach to increasing opportunities for physical activity . Research has shown that middle school students attending schools with greater implementation of the whole‐of‐school approach had higher rates of physical activity than students attending schools where the approach was implemented to a lesser extent .…”

“…The Institute of Medicine promotes a whole‐of‐school approach to increasing opportunities for physical activity . Research has shown that middle school students attending schools with greater implementation of the whole‐of‐school approach had higher rates of physical activity than students attending schools where the approach was implemented to a lesser extent . However, where a whole‐of school approach is not feasible, studies have shown that effective physical activity interventions can occur during: Recess Classroom‐based physical activity breaks PE classes After‐school programs …”

Changes in school-day step counts during a physical activity for Lent intervention: a cluster randomized crossover trial of the Savior’s Sandals

“…Thus, for students to achieve recommended levels of PA at school, a whole-of-school (WOS) approach to PA curriculum was developed, which promotes PA opportunities outside PE class—including recess, classroom PA time, active transport, before- and after-school programming, and intramural and extramural sports [3]. Researchers using a WOS index (scored 0–6), comprised of six school practices for promoting/providing PA, found that 66% of middle schools in a national sample scored ≤4 [8]. Thus, such schools have room for improvement and should identify missing practices to increase students’ PA level.…”