Objective
To determine the usefulness of the WellSAT 2.0 to provide guidance in revising Local Wellness Policies (LWP) in SNAP-Ed schools.
Study Design
Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program are required to have a LWP. The SNAP-Ed in Arizona used the WellSAT 2.0 to assess 42 LWPs from schools serviced by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in seven counties: Apache (3), Cochise (9), Greenlee (1), La Paz (1), Maricopa (11), Pima (5), Pinal (6), and Santa Cruz (3).
Outcome Measures and Analysis
The WellSAT 2.0 contained 78 policy items relating to nutrition, physical activity, and environment that were categorized into six sections. The tool provided two scores: a comprehensive score indicated whether an item was addressed, while a strength score communicated how well an item was addressed. Both scores ranged from 0-100, with 100 representing the optimum score. Each LWP was scored by at least two trained staff using the WellSAT 2.0 online assessment. Scorecards and recommendations were disseminated to the schools by SNAP-Ed staff that provided targeted technical assistance to encourage LWP revisions.
Results
Forty-two LWPs were assessed; the overall comprehensive scores ranged from 28 to 95 (median: 63) and the overall strength scores ranged from 7 to 82 (median: 36). Ten schools (24%) revised their LWP since results were shared and thirteen (31%) planned to revise their LWP in the following school year.
Conclusions and Implications
The use of the WellSAT 2.0 enabled the SNAP-Ed in Arizona to communicate results and to provide effective technical assistance that encouraged SNAP-Ed school LWP revisions.
Funding
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education
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Copyright
© 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc.
