Identifying key determinants influencing the sustainment of physical activity and nutrition programs in Australian primary schools.

Abstract

Background: To ensure the large number of school-based physical activity and nutrition programs have a lasting positive impact on the health and wellbeing of students, it is essential that such programs are sustained long-term. However, there is limited research assessing the duration of such programs and the determinants that are related to their sustainment. This study investigates the duration of, and determinants to the sustainment of physical activity and nutrition programs in Australian primary schools.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with 207 Principals (one from each school) from a nationally representative sample of randomly selected Australian primary schools. Principals completed a survey online or via telephone, which included items assessing the determinants of program sustainment categorised based on the domains of the Integrated Sustainability Framework (inner contextual factors; outer contextual factors; characteristics of the intervention; and processes). Schools were randomised to answer survey items relating to either physical activity or nutrition programs. We collected data on the number and type of programs, their duration, and factors influencing the sustainment of one selected program. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the duration and prevalence of programs. Regression analysis was used to assess the association between sustainment determinants and the duration of program delivery.

Results: Schools randomised to physical activity programs implemented on average, 5.4 of the nine physical activity programs assessed. Schools randomised to nutrition implemented on average, 2.8 of the seven nutrition programs assessed. Physical activity programs had a mean duration of 6.9 years and nutrition programs had 7.4 years. Nutrition programs had 3.27 times the odds of being sustained longer than physical activity programs (95% CI: 1.57, 6.83; p = 0.002). The only domain from the Integrated Sustainability Framework that was statistically significantly associated with the sustainment for both physical activity and nutrition programs was outer contextual factors. This domain includes the alignment of the program with the priorities of the school, partnerships between the school and external organisations, and the existence of a governing body policy or guideline related to the program. The highest ranked determinant from this domain for both physical activity and nutrition programs was the alignment of the program with the priorities of the school.

Conclusion: This study highlights the need for targeted strategies to support the sustainment of health programs in schools, particularly focusing on outer contextual factors. Specifically, the alignment of the program with the priorities of the school. Policymakers and practitioners should prioritise targeting these outer contextual determinants to enhance the sustainment of physical activity and nutrition programs, ultimately promoting better long-term population health outcomes.