title: The role of family and community involvement in the development and implementation of school nutrition and physical activity policy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although there are several evidence-based recommendations directed at improving nutrition and physical activity standards in schools, these guidelines have not been uniformly adopted throughout the United States. Consequently, research is needed to identify facilitators promoting schools to implement these recommendations. Therefore, this study analyzed the 2008 School Health Profiles Principal Survey (Profiles) to explore the role of family and community involvement in school nutrition and physical activity standards.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey data on nutrition and physical activity policies, as well as family and community involvement, were available for 28 states, representing 6732 secondary schools. One-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA), 2-sample t-tests, Pearson's chi-square tests, and multiple logistic and linear regression models were employed in this analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Family and community involvement were associated with schools more frequently utilizing healthy eating strategies and offering students healthier food options. Further, involvement was associated with greater support for physical education staff and more intramural sports opportunities for students.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though family and community involvement have the potential to have a positive influence on school nutrition and physical activity policies and practices, involvement remains low in schools. Increased efforts are needed to encourage collaboration among schools, families, and communities to ensure the highest health standards for all students.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55414.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kehm
authors.forename: Cynthia S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.forename: Marilyn S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Nanney
mesh_terms: D003256:Community Participation; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005190:Family; D005522:Food Services; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012572:School Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012574:Schools; D014481:United States
keywords: adolescent obesity; family and community involvement; school nutrition policy; school physical activity policy