Ensuring safe, accessible drinking water in schools is a national health priority. Students in schools that provide free water consume more water, potentially replacing sugar-containing beverages and promoting a healthy weight. The aims of this study are to: 1) identify whether practices related to school water quality, availability, and education are being implemented in schools nationally; 2) examine whether there are differences in practices by social and demographic characteristics of schools; and 3) communicate and disseminate findings to inform policy and technical assistance strategies. This study will use data on water quality, water access, and water-related education from the School Health Policies and Practices (SHPPS) study, a nationally-representative school-based survey conducted to assess school health policies and practices. Data will be weighted to produce national estimates, and logistic regression will be used to test whether school practices vary by school-level social and demographic variables.
Examining Differences by Social and Demographic Characteristics of Schools in the Implementation of Water-Quality Practices and Water-Access Policies
Start Date: February 2017
ID #: 74374
Principal Investigator: Angie Cradock, ScD, MPE
Organization: Harvard College
Funding Round: Round 10
Focus Areas: Beverages, School & After School
State: National
Age Groups: Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8), Adolescents (grades 9 to 12)
Resource Type: Grant Summary
Keywords: Nutrition standards, School meal programs, Vending machines, Water
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