title: Strength and comprehensiveness of district school wellness policies predict policy implementation at the school level.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2006, all local education agencies in the United States participating in federal school meal programs were required to establish school wellness policies. This study documented the strength and comprehensiveness of 1 state's written district policies using a coding tool, and tested whether these traits predicted school-level implementation and practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  School wellness policies from 151 Connecticut districts were evaluated. School principal surveys were collected before and after the writing and expected implementation of wellness policies. Sociodemographic variables were assessed for each district, including enrollment, population density, political climate, racial composition, and socioeconomic status. Changes in school-level policy implementation before and after the federal wellness policy mandate were compared across districts by wellness policy strength; policies were compared based on district-level demographics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statewide, more complete implementation of nutrition and physical activity policies at the school level was reported after adoption of written policies. Districts with stronger, more comprehensive policies were more successful in implementing them at the school level. Some sociodemographic characteristics predicted the strength of wellness policies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Written school wellness policies have the potential to promote significant improvements in the school environment. Future regulation of school wellness policies should focus on the importance of writing strong and comprehensive policies.
authors.affiliation: Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, Yale University, 309 Edwards Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8369, USA. Marlene.Schwartz@yale.edu
authors.forename: Marlene B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Falbe
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Novak
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Wharton
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Meghan L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: Susan S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Fiore
mesh_terms: D003237:Connecticut; D004032:Diet; D005843:Geography; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D009043:Motor Activity; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*