Abstract
Problem. The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes and perceptions of stakeholders (teachers, principals, nutrition service directors, nutrition service supervisors, school nurses, and nutrition specialists) toward the implementation of the local school wellness policy in public schools within the county of Riverside. The information collected provided valuable information for future health policy implementation in Riverside County. The study also explored whether there is a perception that school employees/staff responsibilities were impacted by the local wellness policy. Theoretical framework. The theoretical framework of this study was based on research foundations of: Interest Group Theory, Social Construction Theory, and Policy Implementation Theory. Methodology. The subjects in the study were 140 stakeholders consisting of principals, teachers, directors/supervisors of nutrition services, nutrition specialists/dietitians, and school nurses from 24 school districts in the county of Riverside. Subjects responded to a 22-item survey assessing their perspectives regarding the implementation of the local school wellness policy. Findings. Examination of the quantitative data from the 24 school districts indicated that respondents who were very familiar with the local wellness policy were also familiar with the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, SB12, and SB965. The findings also revealed that there was a strong, useful correlation between enforcement of the local wellness policy and having a positive impact on students and the obesity epidemic. In addition, the greatest disparity in responses occurred between directors/supervisors of child nutrition and teachers for the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, district local wellness policy, SB12, and SB965. Conclusions and recommendations. The research data provided by this study illustrate that stakeholders agree that there is justification for the implementation of the local wellness policy, yet there has been no apparent support to implement the policy. The local wellness policy had been in place since the start of the first day of the school year beginning June 2006; it would be appropriate to conduct additional research on the compliance of the local wellness policy and its impact on the obesity epidemic. The new data will provide school district constituents with compelling reasons for instituting these policies.