1. Implementation of a Statewide Policy Mandating School-Based Fitness Assessment Screening, Georgia: 2018.
- Author
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Corso PS, Ingels J, Rajbhandari-Thapa J, and Davis M
- Subjects
- Adult, Child, Female, Georgia, Humans, Male, Obesity prevention & control, Students statistics & numerical data, Surveys and Questionnaires, Health Policy, Mandatory Programs legislation & jurisprudence, Mandatory Programs organization & administration, Parents psychology, Physical Fitness physiology, Schools
- Abstract
Objectives. To evaluate the statewide implementation of childhood fitness assessment and reporting in Georgia. Methods. We collected survey data from 1683 (919 valid responses from a random-digit-dialed survey and 764 valid responses from a Qualtrics panel) parents of public school students in Georgia in 2018. Results. Most parents reported that their child participated in fitness assessments at school, yet only 31% reported receiving results. If a child was identified as needing improvement, parents were significantly more likely to change the diet and exercise of both the child and the family. Conclusions. A state-level mandatory fitness assessment for children may be successful in state-level surveillance of fitness levels; parental awareness of the policy, receipt of the fitness assessment information, and action on receiving the screening information require more efforts in implementation.
- Published
- 2020
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