An assessment of Australian school physical activity and nutrition policies
Abstract Objective: This study's objective was to identify and assess existing physical activity and nutrition policies for Australian schools. Methods: Policies were identified through a search of the websites of national and state/territory education departments and school associations, and w...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2018-02-01
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| Series: | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12751 |
| _version_ | 1797727241821487104 |
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| author | Michalis Stylianou Jacqueline L. Walker |
| author_facet | Michalis Stylianou Jacqueline L. Walker |
| author_sort | Michalis Stylianou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective: This study's objective was to identify and assess existing physical activity and nutrition policies for Australian schools. Methods: Policies were identified through a search of the websites of national and state/territory education departments and school associations, and were subsequently assessed against specific criteria. Results: Policies were identified for government schools, but only for one non‐government school association. Physical activity policies were identified at the national level and for six of eight state/territories. The national policy was mandated, and most state/territory physical activity policies were mandated and consistent with the national policy. Several physical activity policies did not meet expert recommendations for time and instructor qualifications. Nutrition policies were identified at the national level and all eight states/territories. The national policy was not mandated, but all state/territory nutrition policies were mandated and consistent with the national policy and relevant guidelines. Most physical activity and nutrition policies lacked information about implementation monitoring. Conclusions: To improve school practices, policies are needed that are mandated and consistent with expert recommendations, use clear language, and specify monitoring and accountability mechanisms. Implications for public health: Improvements in school policies can promote physical activity and healthy eating behaviours to positively influence student outcomes across Australia. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T10:57:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fb7b21f217b44786a9ae7692a53a6b87 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1326-0200 1753-6405 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T10:57:01Z |
| publishDate | 2018-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-fb7b21f217b44786a9ae7692a53a6b872023-09-02T06:20:03ZengElsevierAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health1326-02001753-64052018-02-01421162110.1111/1753-6405.12751An assessment of Australian school physical activity and nutrition policiesMichalis Stylianou0Jacqueline L. Walker1School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences The University of QueenslandSchool of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences The University of QueenslandAbstract Objective: This study's objective was to identify and assess existing physical activity and nutrition policies for Australian schools. Methods: Policies were identified through a search of the websites of national and state/territory education departments and school associations, and were subsequently assessed against specific criteria. Results: Policies were identified for government schools, but only for one non‐government school association. Physical activity policies were identified at the national level and for six of eight state/territories. The national policy was mandated, and most state/territory physical activity policies were mandated and consistent with the national policy. Several physical activity policies did not meet expert recommendations for time and instructor qualifications. Nutrition policies were identified at the national level and all eight states/territories. The national policy was not mandated, but all state/territory nutrition policies were mandated and consistent with the national policy and relevant guidelines. Most physical activity and nutrition policies lacked information about implementation monitoring. Conclusions: To improve school practices, policies are needed that are mandated and consistent with expert recommendations, use clear language, and specify monitoring and accountability mechanisms. Implications for public health: Improvements in school policies can promote physical activity and healthy eating behaviours to positively influence student outcomes across Australia.https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12751physical activitynutritionschoolpolicy |
| spellingShingle | Michalis Stylianou Jacqueline L. Walker An assessment of Australian school physical activity and nutrition policies Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health physical activity nutrition school policy |
| title | An assessment of Australian school physical activity and nutrition policies |
| title_full | An assessment of Australian school physical activity and nutrition policies |
| title_fullStr | An assessment of Australian school physical activity and nutrition policies |
| title_full_unstemmed | An assessment of Australian school physical activity and nutrition policies |
| title_short | An assessment of Australian school physical activity and nutrition policies |
| title_sort | assessment of australian school physical activity and nutrition policies |
| topic | physical activity nutrition school policy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12751 |
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