Food on the Run

A Program of the California Department of Health Services and Public Health Institute

California Schools: Influencing Local

Policymakers to Enact Policies

that Support Healthy Eating

Vicki Berends, Marketing Manager Food on the Run California Project LEAN

Food on the RunGoalsTo conduct an adolescent-focused program that:

Prompts adolescents, parents, local policymakers and community members to advocate for policies thatcreate environments in their schools and communitiesthat support healthy eating and physical activity.

Motivates adolescents to eat healthier and engage in more physical activity.

Strengthens statewide leadership and communicationon adolescents nutrition and physical activity issues.

Target Audience

PRIMARY:

Underserved high school students.

SECONDARY:

Families, school staff, community

leaders, and policymakers.

Reasons for Policy Work

Policies can affect large numbers of peopleby improving environments and encouraging individuals to change their behavior.

Policies remain long after program funding and program people are gone.

Shift to District Focus

Determine how policy-makers should be educated about school district policies that support healthy eating.

Conduct formative research

Target audience profile

Social Marketing Plan

Research Purpose

Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Methods Used to Better Understand: Factors that Motivate/Deter SBM to Develop

Healthy Food Choice Policies in Schools Effective Communication Channels &

Spokespersons Effective Strategies for Increasing SBM

Interest

in Healthy Food Choice Policies in Schools

Cancer Grant Research Purpose

Evaluate the effectiveness of a statewide

social marketing campaign to increase

school board interest in policies that

support healthy.

Cancer Grant Research Behavioral Objective

School board members will bring forth

nutrition-related policy issues to the

school board agenda

Formative Research

Literature Review/Environmental scan

Key Informant Interviews

Newscan of adolescent coverage of nutrition issues

Solicitation Survey

School Board and Superintendent Survey

KII: Key Findings

Healthy food choices are not issues of concernor brought to school board’s attention

Need unified community voice with repeatedcomplaints, interest and collective visibility toprove issue is worthy of review

School boards want solid background andresearch.

KII: Key FindingsMotivators/Concerns

Academic achievement and standards

By linking nutrition to learning and improved attendance, healthy eatingpolicies can become a higher priority

School Board SurveySchool Board Member Sample

404 Districts with High Schools1 SBM Randomly Selected From Each District = 404 SBM

Data CollectionMail Survey, 4 TimesSASEConfidential

181 Returned, 174 Used for Data Analysis

School Board Survey Results

Most Frequently Cited Issue on School Board Agenda:

Academic Standards School Food Programs

1/3 Reported a Nutrition-Related Policy 1/3 Reported an Exclusive Beverage Contract

with School District and 1/2 with Any School

School Board Survey Results

A Majority Supported (over 50%) Providing Healthy Food Options Establishing Minimum Nutritional Standards

for Fast Foods Banning Fast Food Sales in Elementary Schools Banning Food & Soda Advertisements Restricting Hours of a La Carte Food Availability Not Placing Soda Vending Machines in Heavily

Trafficked Areas

School Board Survey Results

Important Information When Considering a NR School Health Issue:

Advice from Health Expert

Link Between Nutrition and Academic Performance/Improved Attendance

Practical Benefits to Students

Support of Parents/Orgs

School Board Survey Results

Factors Influencing Decision-Making

Community and Family Factors:

Active Community Mobilization Cultural Issues Student Preferences Personal or Family Health Issues

School Board Survey Results

Factors Influencing Decision-MakingParent Factors:

Lack of Policy Education Apathy among Parents Uninformed about Health Issues

School Board Survey Results

Influential in Decision-Making:

Food Service Staff Superintendent Opinions Budget Considerations

School Board Survey Results

Organizations that should be more involved:

California School Boards Associaton

California Department of Education

Ca School Food Svc Assn/Ca Department

of Health Services

School Board Survey Results

Majority felt In-adequately Prepared to Develop Nutrition-Related Policies

Majority Want to Receive Training on Nutrition-Related Issues

School Board Survey Results

Learn More About NR School Health Issues:

Internet School Board Publications Email School Board Conferences School Board Seminars

Next Steps

Strategy Sessions Finalize Social Marketing Plan Develop and Pretest Concepts Develop Materials Implement Program Evaluate Interventions

Social MarketingCampaign Elements

Training and create community task forces tospeak on school nutrition policy

Utilize the CSBA and PTA and community taskforces to disseminate campaign materials

Conduct post school board survey

Social MarketingCampaign Elements

Handbook on nutrition policy

State, regional and local nutrition policyworkshops

Print ads and articles in trade publicationsand on Web Sites

Contact Information

P.O. Box 942732, MS-675P.O. Box 942732, MS-675Sacramento, CA 94234-Sacramento, CA 94234-73207320Phone:Phone: 916.323.4742 916.323.4742 Fax: Fax: 916.445.7571916.445.7571www.dhs.ca.gov/leanwww.dhs.ca.gov/lean

Teen Website:Teen Website:www.CaProjectLean.orgwww.CaProjectLean.org