Adapted intervention mapping: a strategic planning process for increasing physical activity and healthy eating opportunities in schools via environment and policy change.
BACKGROUND
School environment and policy changes have increased healthy eating and physical activity; however, there has been modest success in translating research findings to practice. The School Environment Project tested whether an adapted version of Intervention Mapping (AIM) resulted in school change.


METHODS
Using a pair randomized design, 10 rural elementary schools were assigned to AIM or the School Health Index (SHI). Baseline measures were collected fall 2005, AIM was conducted 2005-2006, and follow-up measures were collected fall 2006 and 2007. Outcome measures included number and type of effective environment and policy changes implemented; process measures included the extent to which 11 implementation steps were used.


RESULTS
AIM schools made an average of 4.4 effective changes per school with 90% still in place a year later. SHI schools made an average of 0.6 effective changes with 66% in place a year later. Implementation steps distinguishing AIM from SHI included use of external, trained facilitators; principal involvement; explicitly stating the student behavior goals; identifying effective environment and policy changes; prioritizing potential changes based on importance and feasibility; and developing an action plan.


CONCLUSIONS
The AIM process led to environment and policy changes known to increase healthy eating and physical activity.
Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, East 17th Place, Campus Box C-245, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. elaine.belansky@ucdenver.edu
Elaine S
ES
Belansky
Nick
N
Cutforth
Robert
R
Chavez
Lori A
LA
Crane
Emily
E
Waters
Julie A
JA
Marshall
D003120:Colorado; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D015438:Health Behavior; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D011050:Policy Making; D016730:Program Development; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards