Overcoming Childhood Obesity: Barriers to the Implementation of Obesity Prevention Policies in Elementary Schools
Abstract
Childhood obesity rates in the United States have been increasing at alarming rates.
Schools must play an integral role in obesity prevention efforts to reverse current
trends. In order to understand how schools can improve wellness policies, it is important
to determine what obstacles they face in implementing such policies and programs.
Interviews with stakeholders at the district- and school-levels indicate four main
barriers to the implementation of wellness policies: finances, institutional support,
participation, and involvement and education at home. The study further concludes
that physical activity policies are weaker than nutrition policies. Schools are also
found to have greater discretion over physical activity polices than nutrition polices.
The key recommendation of the study is that schools strengthen physical activity policies
and programs in order to improve obesity prevention efforts.
Description
Public Policy Honors Thesis
Type
Honors thesisDepartment
Public Policy StudiesPermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/6210Citation
Patel, Komal (2012). Overcoming Childhood Obesity: Barriers to the Implementation of Obesity Prevention
Policies in Elementary Schools. Honors thesis, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/6210.Collections
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