title: Validity of a self-report survey tool measuring the nutrition and physical activity environment of primary schools.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Valid tools measuring characteristics of the school environment associated with the physical activity and dietary behaviours of children are needed to accurately evaluate the impact of initiatives to improve school environments. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of Principal self-report of primary school healthy eating and physical activity environments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary school Principals (n = 42) in New South Wales, Australia were invited to complete a telephone survey of the school environment; the School Environment Assessment Tool - SEAT. Equivalent observational data were collected by pre-service teachers located within the school. The SEAT, involved 65 items that assessed food availability via canteens, vending machines and fundraisers and the presence of physical activity facilities, equipment and organised physical activities. Kappa statistics were used to assess agreement between the two measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost 70% of the survey demonstrated moderate to almost perfect agreement. Substantial agreement was found for 10 of 13 items assessing foods sold for fundraising, 3 of 6 items assessing physical activity facilities of the school, and both items assessing organised physical activities that occurred at recess and lunch and school sport. Limited agreement was found for items assessing foods sold through canteens and access to small screen recreation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SEAT provides researchers and policy makers with a valid tool for assessing aspects of the school food and physical activity environment.
authors.affiliation: Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Area Health Service, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Nicole.Nathan@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nathan
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wolfenden
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiggers
mesh_terms: D000288:Administrative Personnel; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D004032:Diet; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D005178:Faculty; D005509:Food Dispensers, Automatic; D005522:Food Services; D005653:Fund Raising; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D062409:Lunch; D009517:New South Wales; D011998:Recreation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012574:Schools; D057566:Self Report; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*