Comparison of the Local Wellness Policy Implementation between 2006 and 2008

Purpose/Objective: The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 required all schools receiving funding for school meals to implement a Local Wellness Policy. However, there is little to no accountability related to the implementation of the policy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of implementation of nutrition components of the Local School Wellness policies in Mississippi in 2008. Methods: Data were collected through the 2008 Local School Wellness Policy Principal Survey which was sent to principals of all public schools in Mississippi. The survey was sent out through email; the survey content was based on the Local School Wellness Policy: "Guide for Development" and the Mississippi Healthy Students Act. Responses to each survey item related to implementation of the policy were tabulated and percentages were calculated. For items asked in both the 2006 and 2008 surveys, statistical significance of difference was determined through the calculation and comparison of confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Significant improvements have been made in the implementation of Local School Wellness Policies from 2006 to 2008. In 2008, 96.0% of the respondents reported that the Local School Wellness Policy was being partially or fully implemented in their school (significantly higher than 78.2% in 2006). The majority of schools (96.7%) reported implementing the minimum nutrition components of local wellness policy requirements. In 2008, 72.3% of the principals reported that 75-100% of the students were receiving nutrition education as compared to 35.2% in 2006. Applications to Child Nutrition Professionals: It is encouraging to see that schools are actively moving to stronger implementation of the local wellness policy, with significant improvements in nutrition-related activities. Child nutrition professionals are key in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the wellness policy. (Contains 2 tables.)