Date of Award
Spring 5-10-2012
Degree Type
Honors College Thesis
Department
Nutrition and Food Systems
First Advisor
Elaine Molaison
Advisor Department
Nutrition and Food Systems
Abstract
In recent years, rates of overweight and obesity have increased dramatically in America due to nutritionally poor diets and more sedentary lifestyles. Research has shown that obesity is a risk factor for numerous other conditions such as stroke, heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea. Unfortunately, overweight and obesity do not only affect the adults in our nation. Rates of overweight and obesity have also increased among American children. Approximately 17% of American children are obese, which is three times the rate of 1980 (Menifield, Doty, & Fletcher, 2008). In order to improve the overall health of America’s children, national, state, and local governments have implemented various wellness policies into public schools that address the physical, emotional, and mental health of children. Since the implementation of these programs and policies, researchers across the nation have been monitoring the effectiveness of these programs in improving the health of American children (Belansky, Cutforth, Delong, Litt, & Gilbert, 2010; Coffield, Metos, Utz, & Waitzman, 2011; Kolbo et al., 2006; Kolbo et al., 2008; Molaison et al., 2010; Probart, McDonnell, Weirich, Schilling, & Fekete, 2008; Rodney, O’Meara, Hepburn, & Potter, 2011; Serrano et al., 2007).
Copyright
Copyright for this thesis is owned by the author. It may be freely accessed by all users. However, any reuse or reproduction not covered by the exceptions of the Fair Use or Educational Use clauses of U.S. Copyright Law or without permission of the copyright holder may be a violation of federal law. Contact the administrator if you have additional questions.
Recommended Citation
Masters, Rebecca, "The Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Local School Wellness Policy Implementation in Mississippi Public Schools" (2012). Honors Theses. 81.
https://aquila.usm.edu/honors_theses/81