Nutrition Policies, Practices, and Environments in Low‐Income Georgia Elementary Schools, United States, 2015‐2017.

BACKGROUND: A nutritious diet can prevent obesity and chronic disease and improve academic performance, yet many children have energy‐dense, nutrient‐poor diets. The objective of this study was to assess nutrition policies, practices, and environments in Georgia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP‐Ed) elementary schools and compare them across school‐level demographic characteristics. METHODS: We distributed a cross‐sectional online survey to administrators, grade level chairs, and nutrition managers from 113 Georgia SNAP‐Ed elementary schools during 2015–2017. Logistic regression, one‐way ANOVA, and Tukey's tests were performed to assess differences by free and reduced‐price lunch eligibility and percentage black. Fisher's exact and Rao‐Scott chi‐square tests were performed to assess differences by school size and geography. RESULTS: The majority of schools established wellness policies and committees, provided nutrition education, and offered fresh fruits and/or vegetables daily. Fewer schools had policies limiting sugar‐sweetened foods within classrooms or had established a school garden. There were minimal significant differences in survey responses across school‐level demographics. CONCLUSIONS: Georgia SNAP‐Ed elementary schools are providing healthy nutrition settings for their students in a number of areas, and can further improve by establishing more comprehensive wellness policies, a committee to enforce them, and engaging children in hands‐on nutrition education activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]