Research: PLAN - Center for Public Health Nutrition, University of Washington

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Activities:

Policy Legislation and Nutrition (PLAN): What Works to Improve Student Health?
Evaluation Team	Donna B. Johnson, PhD, RD - Center for Public Health Nutrition Victor Colman, JD - WA State Department of Heath Anne Lund, RD, MPH - Center for Public Health Nutrition Social Development Research Group Staff Bob Lutz MD, MPH - Spokane Public School District Marian Neuhouser PhD, RD - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
PLAN Partners	Center for Public Health Nutrtion, WA Action for Healthy Kids, WA State Department of Health, STEPS to a Healthier WA, King County STEPS to Health, USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program, Coordinated School Health Program, Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy Leadership Group
Project Dates	2006 - 2009
Project Summary	Current legislation about school nutrition policies is intended to improve the diet of students and so prevent obesity. However, the implementation and impact of such policies remains to be evaluated. The Policy Legislation and Nutrition (PLAN) study will take advantage of the passage of recent state and federal mandates that require school nutrition and physical activity policies. Washington State Senate Bill 5436 required all school districts develop nutrition policies and the WIC Reauthorization Act required all schools participating in the national USDA School Meal Program have a Wellness Policy. PLAN will examine the impact of local policies on the school nutrition environment and on the students’ dietary behaviors. The goals of the project are to: (1) learn about strategies used to develop local school nutrition policies, the content of the policies, and how the policies are implemented and enforced; and (2) determine how school nutrition policies change school nutrition environments and students’ diets. Results will be disseminated to local school districts, staff at the state health and education agencies, policy advocates, and elected officials to support implementation of the best policies and practices to improve student health.
Funding	Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Healthy Eating Research Program

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