A Qualitative Study of CDC's School Health Index

The School Health Index for Physical Activity and Healthy Eating (SHI)is
a self-assessment and planning tool designed by CDC to help schools:

• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of their nutrition and
  physical activity policies and programs,
• Develop an action plan for improving student nutrition and
  physical activity, and
• Involve teachers, parents, students, and the community in
  creating an environment that supports healthy nutrition and
  physical activity.

This is a two-year study with two major aims. In the first year of the
study, we aim to learn about the experience of school staff using
the SHI. In the second year of the study, we aim to learn how the
SHI implementation process affects school programs and policies
related to nutrition and physical activity.

Key questions we address include:

• How do schools decide to use the SHI?
• What are the facilitators and barriers to using the SHI?
• What are different ways schools use the SHI?
• What are short-term outcomes in schools as a result of SHI use?

This qualitative study involves conducting in-depth interviews with
staff from six New England schools and one school district in the
Midwest. Key informants include principals, school nurses, social
workers, food service managers, PE teachers, other teachers, and
students. We hope our findings will contribute toward a greater
understanding of how the SHI can facilitate schools' efforts to
evaluate their nutrition and physical activity programs and policies
toward improving the health of school aged children and adolescents.

Principal Investigator: Lilian Cheung, ScD, RD
Funder: Cooperative Agreement with Association of Schools of Public
Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Funding Dates: October 1, 2001 - September 30, 2004