Public Health and School Health Partnership for a Web-Based Physical Activity Resource.

Abstract

Background: With physical activity levels in children and youth decreasing as their obesity rates rise, collaborations between public health and school health professionals for physical activity interventions are recommended. Physical activity interventions at the school site and those with community involvement in program planning have demonstrated positive outcomes.

Methods: As schools are a vital part of community physical activity promotion for students, public health and school health partners in one state created a brain energizers/movement integration website to support 2 components of a comprehensive school physical activity program: "Physical activity integrated into the school day" and "Staff involvement." This study presents a process evaluation and level of utilization assessment of a public health, web-based resource for physical activity promotion in the elementary school for students aged 6-12 years. Web links were sent to all members of a statewide school nurse association, and 269 school nursing staff responded to an online survey evaluating the website.

Results: About 40% of respondents used and shared the site with other teachers/staff at their schools, and the activities and videos were stated as the greatest benefits.

Conclusions: Public health and education sectors can collaborate within comprehensive school physical activity programs to provide movement integration resources for students to meet physical activity goals. School nurses can encourage physical activity during the school day and staff involvement by promoting both the health promotion and educational benefits of movement integration and physically active learning.