Increasing physical activity in schools through a model schools program in Hawaii

BACKGROUND: The State of Hawaii Departments of Health and Education developed a three-year Model Schools program in which seven schools agreed to enhance their physical education (PE) curricula and increase opportunities for physical activity (PA) during non-instructional time. The objective was to assess the amount of PA in schools and to identify if PA policies and guidelines are being implemented in schools. METHODOLOGY: This study utilizes standardized observation tools (SOFIT/SOPLAY), a pre/post student survey, and an annual survey for principals to determine students' activity levels during PE and non-instructional time (e.g., recess). RESULTS: Principals at all seven schools reported meeting the recommended instructional minutes for PE. Only one school did not offer 20 minutes of daily supervised recess and one school withheld PA as punishment. Baseline student surveys (n~1000) indicated that most students enjoy PE and feel good about themselves after working hard in PE. SOFIT results showed that three out of seven schools met the recommended minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in Year 1, but this decreased to two schools in Year 2. SOPLAY data revealed that most students were sedentary during non-instructional time. CONCLUSION: Although students' attitudes towards PE were positive and principals self-reported meeting instructional minutes, observational data showed that most schools did not meet recommended MVPA levels. No major changes were identified in PA levels over time, but it is hoped that at the end of the Model Schools program, these schools will be able to share their best practices for increasing PA opportunities.