From policy to practice: Examining the role of recess in elementary school

Janelle Thalken; William V Massey; Alexandra Szarabajko; Isabella Ozenbaugh; Laura Neilson

doi:10.1016/j.puhip.2021.100091

From policy to practice: Examining the role of recess in elementary school

Public Health Pract (Oxf). 2021 Feb 5:2:100091. doi: 10.1016/j.puhip.2021.100091. eCollection 2021 Nov.

Authors

Janelle Thalken¹, William V Massey¹, Alexandra Szarabajko¹, Isabella Ozenbaugh¹, Laura Neilson¹

Affiliation

¹ College of Public Health and Human Sciences, School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, Kinesiology Program, Oregon State University, United States.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the relationship between school recess policies, the quality of the recess environment and body mass index (BMI) among elementary school children.

Study design: Observational.

Methods: Data were collected at 23 schools across four geographically distinct regions of the United States. Measures included recess observations using the Great Recess Framework-Observational Tool (GRF-OT), recess policies were collected with the School Physical Activity and Policy Assessment, and BMI was obtained through height and weight measurements among 429 students in third and fifth grade.

Results: Results showed that school policies related to recess access significantly predicted children's BMI, and school policies related to investment in recess significantly predicted recess quality as measured by the GRF-OT.

Conclusions: Results from this study can be used to help inform future research regarding how school recess policies can impact child-level outcomes and the recess environment.

Keywords: Physical health; Play; School policy.