Department of Public Health and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts; Program in Nutrition, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York.
Anchorage School District, Anchorage, Alaska.
J Acad Nutr Diet. 2022 Jun;122(6):1174-1181.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2021.12.002. Epub 2021 Dec 8.
Teachers are uniquely poised to support students' healthy eating habits and physical activity. However, research is needed to examine the successes and challenges teachers face when implementing a school wellness initiative. The purpose of this study was to examine teachers' experiences implementing and managing a pilot school wellness initiative where students had longer lunch and recess, and more physical activity throughout the day.
Using a grounded theory approach, transcripts were analyzed qualitatively using principles of content analysis to identify themes and domains. Application of the codes and interrater reliability were conducted with a trained research assistant.
Focus groups were conducted to understand the challenging and successful experiences of teachers as they implemented and managed a school wellness initiative. The participants were teachers (N = 39) from six purposively selected elementary schools participating in a school wellness initiative. Focus groups were conducted in-person at participating schools.
Teachers observed calmer students who ate more lunch with longer lunch periods. In addition, teachers observed improved focus in the classroom and fewer behavior issues with more physical activity opportunities. Successful strategies included reversing lunch and recess and implementing physical activity into daily lessons. However, some teachers had difficulty managing the extra time in the cafeteria and scheduling physical activity throughout the day, particularly in schools where administrators were not as supportive of the initiative. In the schools with greater administrative buy-in and support, teachers had easier, more positive experiences implementing the wellness initiative.
School wellness initiatives in which teachers play a large role have the potential to support teachers and students. This study found that teachers value student health and understand students need to be nourished to learn, but teachers' experiences suggest they need support and buy-in from their administrators to be successful.
教师在支持学生养成健康饮食习惯和积极参加体育活动方面具有独特的优势。然而，需要研究教师在实施学校健康促进计划时所面临的成功经验和挑战。本研究的目的是探讨教师在实施和管理试点学校健康促进计划方面的经验，该计划旨在增加学生的午餐和课间休息时间，并增加全天的体育活动。
采用扎根理论方法，通过内容分析的原则对转录本进行定性分析，以确定主题和领域。使用经过培训的研究助理对代码进行应用和内部一致性检验。
进行焦点小组讨论，以了解教师在实施和管理学校健康促进计划时遇到的挑战和成功经验。参与者为来自六所参与学校健康促进计划的小学的教师（N=39）。在参与学校进行现场焦点小组讨论。
教师观察到午餐时间延长后，学生们更平静，午餐吃得更多。此外，教师观察到课堂注意力集中，行为问题减少，因为有更多的体育活动机会。成功的策略包括颠倒午餐和课间休息时间，并将体育活动纳入日常课程。然而，一些教师在管理食堂的额外时间和安排全天的体育活动方面存在困难，特别是在行政管理人员不太支持该倡议的学校。在行政管理人员更支持和支持的学校，教师在实施健康促进计划方面有更轻松、更积极的体验。
在教师发挥重要作用的学校健康促进计划有可能支持教师和学生。本研究发现，教师重视学生的健康，理解学生需要营养才能学习，但教师的经验表明，他们需要得到行政管理人员的支持和认可才能取得成功。
