A systematic review of existing observational tools to measure the food and physical activity environment in schools.

Hannah G Lane, Hannah G Calvert, Rachel Deitch, Ryan Harris, Oyinlola T Babatunde, Lindsey Turner, Erin R Hager, Stephanie Jilcott Pitts

Journal: Health & place 2021;66():102388

PMID: 32905981

Abstract

Objective measures of schools' wellness-promoting environments are commonly used in obesity prevention studies; however, the extent to which findings from these measures translate to policy and practice is unknown. This systematic review describes the comprehensiveness and usability (practicality, quality, and applicability) of existing objective measures to assess schools' food and physical activity environments. A structured keyword search and standard protocol in electronic databases yielded 30 publications reporting on 23 measures that were deemed eligible to include in this review. Findings provide details to guide researchers and practitioners in selecting the best tool for use in policy and program evaluations.

Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Address: Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Population Health Sciences, Durham, 27701, NC, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].; Boise State University, College of Education, Boise, ID, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].; University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Growth and Nutrition(a), Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].; University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].; East Carolina University, Department of Nutrition Science, College of Allied Health Sciences, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].; Boise State University, College of Education, Boise, ID, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].; University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Growth and Nutrition(a), Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].; East Carolina University, Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
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