Policies and practices of high-performing Let’s Go! schools

Abstract

Background: Let’s Go! is a Maine-based, nationally recognized childhood obesity prevention program. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify specific program and school characteristics, policies, and practices associated with schools achieving Let’s Go!’s priority strategies for increasing opportunities for healthy eating/active living in schools and suggest areas for program improvement. Methods: A serial cross-sectional design over 3 years was used to identify characteristics of higher-performing Let’s Go! schools and suggestions for program improvement. Logistic regressions used data from Let’s Go! school surveys and Common Core of Data. Results: Outcome variables were the 5 priority strategies for each year (2013, 2014, and 2015). Strongest predictors were having a Let’s Go! team at the school (P < .01), having enforced district policy on the priority strategy (P < .05), and educating families in adopting a lifestyle supporting healthy eating/active living (P < .01). Discussion: Enforced district wellness policies, school wellness teams, and family involvement are crucial components to the success of Let’s Go!. Translation to Health Education Practice: Child health programs must adjust to the context in which they will be administered and will be more successful when supported by additional efforts including district wellness policies, collaborative wellness teams, and strong communication between parents and teachers.