Health promotion efforts in pennsylvania schools

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe health promotion efforts within Pennsylvania public schools. A questionnaire was designed which addressed the following areas: demographics, health issues and concerns, health promotion programming, and variables pertinent to describe districts without programs. The sample consisted of 275 superintendents of public school districts, 41 of which indicated the existence of a health promotion program in their district. Superintendents of districts with health promotion programs indicated the following: the most frequently offered programs were physical fitness activities, stress management and weight reduction; programs were most frequently offered during the after school hours; many programs were not open to family and community; and the administration of the programs was most frequently the responsibility of a school administrator. The remaining 234 school districts did not have health promotion programs. The reasons cited by the superintendents included limited financial resources, an uninterested faculty and staff, and lack of school board support.