Harmonizing Ratings From Different School Environment Assessment Methods: A Simplified Approach. (18th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Xue; Lee, Rebecca E.; Ledoux, Tracey A.; Hoelscher, Deanna M.; McKenzie, Thomas L.; O'Connor, Daniel P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of school health. Volume 92:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 92
• Page End: 98
• Publication Date: 2021-11-18
• Subjects: environmental health -- evaluation -- health policy; School health services -- Periodicals; School children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; School Health Services -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; 371.71
• DOI: 10.1111/josh.13108
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4391

Abstract

Abstract: Background: This study describes a method for harmonizing data collected with different tools to compute a rating of compliance with national recommendations for school physical activity (PA) and nutrition environments. Methods: We reviewed questionnaire items from 84 elementary schools that participated in the Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (CORD) project, which was 3 distinct childhood obesity prevention projects in 7 communities in California, Massachusetts, and Texas. Each project used tools specific to its programs, schools, and communities. While this approach increased the feasibility of data collection, it created a challenge with the need to combine data across projects. We evaluated all questionnaire items and retained only those items that assessed one or more recommendations and constructed several items to indicate compliance or noncompliance with the respective associated recommendations. Results: Ten constructed items covered 11 of the 20 recommendations. Analysis indicated that the scores detected variability in compliance both among communities and among school within communities. Conclusions: The scores captured differences in compliance with the national recommendations at multiple levels. Our method, designed for creating common scores, may be useful in integrated data analysis, systematic reviews, or future studies requiring harmonizing of data collected via different tools.