A Fast Track Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
Authors:
Heather F. Terral, PhD
Gina Williamson, PhD
Elizabeth L. Budd, PhD, MPH
Nichole R. Kelly, PhD
Objective:
In this paper, we evaluated barriers and facilitators of implementing a recess before lunch (RBL) schedule in a rural Oregon elementary school.
Methods:
School staff planning a transition to RBL agreed to participate in a qualitative evaluation of implementation feasibility. The Active Implementation Frameworks Exploration Stage and Hexagon Discussion and Analysis Tool informed semi-structured interviews by establishing a priori themes of need, fit, resources/support, readiness, and capacity which were integrated with deductive themes. Data were collected pre-post RBL transition.
Results:
The school principal, 3 teachers, one recess aide, and one food service manager completed interviews (N = 6). Emergent subthemes included: (1) linking RBL with existing health initiatives; (2) identifying a champion; (3) communicating clearly and regularly with teachers and staff; (4) identifying handwashing strategies; and (5) considering modifying school schedule to increase total student eating time.
Conclusions:
Interviewees found implementing RBL to be both feasible and acceptable with a leader to champion the transition. Perceived positive changes associated with RBL included increased student food consumption and improved behavior. School administrators may consider suggesting an RBL modification to their school wellness policy. With proper planning informed by case studies, schools can implement RBL, a relatively simple, low-cost intervention for supporting student behavior.
Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review, Volume 11, Number 5, October 2024, pp. 32-45(14)
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/psp/hbpr/pre-prints/content-psp_hbpr_1154