Journals Information
Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 3(2), pp. 71 - 83
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2015.030204
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'It's not as Easy as just Saying 20 Minutes a Day': Exploring Teacher and Principal Experiences Implementing a Provincial Physical Activity Policy
Kristin M. Brown 1,*, Susan J. Elliott 2
1 School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Canada
2 Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, Canada
ABSTRACT
In 2005, the Ontario Ministry of Education implemented the Daily Physical Activity (DPA) Policy to provide every elementary student with at least 20 minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity each day. This exploratory research sought to understand the factors shaping DPA implementation in schools and classrooms, from the perspective of elementary school teachers and principals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Ontario grade 1-8 teachers (n=14) and elementary school principals (n=5) regarding DPA implementation, facilitators, barriers, perceived outcomes, and suggestions for change. The majority of participants stated that students were not meeting the requirements daily. However, participants shared activities and techniques for incorporating physical activity into instructional time. Facilitators and barriers to implementation were organized using the Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity (ANGELO) framework in order to identify factors acting at four environmental levels. The facilitators and barriers identified indicate that staff and resources within individual schools strongly influence implementation. Although many positive outcomes for students were identified, increased fitness was not mentioned, highlighting additional benefits above physical health. The findings suggest DPA is not being implemented as intended, as school staff are finding it difficult to meet the time and intensity requirements. Policy makers must consider the local school environment and the roles of school staff when designing school-based health policies.
KEYWORDS
Physical Activity, School Health, Health Policy, Daily Physical Activity, Social Ecological Theory, ANGELO Framework, Qualitative Methods
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Kristin M. Brown , Susan J. Elliott , "'It's not as Easy as just Saying 20 Minutes a Day': Exploring Teacher and Principal Experiences Implementing a Provincial Physical Activity Policy," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 71 - 83, 2015. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2015.030204.
(b). APA Format:
Kristin M. Brown , Susan J. Elliott (2015). 'It's not as Easy as just Saying 20 Minutes a Day': Exploring Teacher and Principal Experiences Implementing a Provincial Physical Activity Policy. Universal Journal of Public Health, 3(2), 71 - 83. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2015.030204.