Physical activity and nutrition programs improve children's health. However, cost and competition for resources between programs are common implementation challenges. Currently, no guidance exists for practitioners about how to spend money within various programs. This study examines spending patterns of schools that concurrently delivered multiple programs to help provide spending guidance. Middle schools (n = 8; 75% rural) that participated in the Healthy School Recognized Campus (HSRC) initiative were provided $3500. To achieve HSRC recognition, schools complete a school-wide walking program, a physical activity or nutrition program for students, and a physical activity or nutrition program for adults (teachers and parents). We tracked purchases, grouped receipts by categories and program, and analyzed spending using descriptive statistics. On average, schools spent $3383.26 ± $159.27. For both adult and teacher incentives, over half of the schools spent $0. Program equipment ($1145.14 ± $1139.10; e.g. cooking equipment and hydroponics kit) was the largest category of spending, followed by student incentives ($945.04 ± $946.62). Schools purchased 5031 items (628.88 ± 926.50 items/school) categorized as small student incentives (e.g. water bottles and gift cards), averaging $1.04 each, and 12 items (1.5 ± 2.78 items/school) on large student incentives (e.g. bike) averaging $124.72 each. On average schools completed 2.88 ± 0.83 (range 2-4) youth programs and 1.50 ± 0.93 (range 0-2) adult programs, which cost around $300-$1500 and $0-$700 per program, respectively. Schools spent almost all the money allocated for HSRC and made strategic spending decisions to maximize student engagement, specifically prioritizing student programs over adult ones. This information about how schools spend their money offers insights for decision-making in future programs.
Keywords: adolescent; health behavior; implementation science; physical education; program evaluation; school health services.
Plain language summary
Schools play a crucial role in promoting the health of students by implementing programs that encourage physical activity and healthy eating. This study explored how eight middle schools (75% rural) in Texas used $3500 each to run these health programs during one school year. The Healthy School Recognized Campus (HSRC) initiative required schools to participate in programs like Walk Across Texas, along with other youth and adult health programs. We examined how the schools spent their funds, categorizing purchases into equipment, supplies, and incentives for students, adults, and teachers. On average, schools spent most of their budget on equipment and student incentives. In contrast, spending on incentives for adults and teachers was minimal. The findings reveal that schools made strategic spending decisions to maximize student engagement, often prioritizing student programs over adult ones. This information can help future decision-makers allocate resources more efficiently, ensuring that health programs in schools are impactful. Understanding these spending patterns can improve the implementation and sustainability of school-based health initiatives, ultimately benefiting students and the broader community.
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Keywords：middle schools; physical activity; nutrition programs; spending patterns
体育活动和营养计划可以改善儿童的健康。然而，成本以及不同项目之间的资源竞争是常见的实施挑战。目前，没有针对从业人员如何在各种项目中使用资金的指导建议。本研究考察了同时开展多个项目的学校的支出模式，以提供有关支出的指导。参与“健康学校认可校园”（HSRC）倡议的八所中学（75%为农村地区）获得了3500美元的资金。为了获得HSRC的认可，学校需要完成全校范围内的步行计划、学生的体育活动或营养项目以及成人（教师和家长）的体育活动或营养项目。我们跟踪了学校的购买记录，并按类别和项目对收据进行了分组，然后使用描述性统计分析了支出情况。平均而言，学校花费了3383.26美元±159.27美元。对于成人和教师激励措施，超过一半的学校没有花费任何资金。设备（如烹饪器具和水培套装）的开支是最大的类别，为1145.14美元±1139.10美元；其次是学生激励措施，为945.04美元±946.62美元。学校购买了总计5031件物品（平均每个学校628.88±926.50件），归类为小型学生激励品（如水瓶和礼品卡），平均每件物品花费1.04美元，以及12件大型学生激励品（如自行车）（平均每个学校1.5±2.78件），每件平均花费124.72美元。平均而言，学校完成了2.88个±0.83（范围为2-4）的青少年项目和1.50个±0.93（范围为0-2）的成人项目，分别每个项目的成本约为300至1500美元和0至700美元。学校几乎花完了分配给HSRC的所有资金，并做出了战略性的支出决策以最大限度地提高学生的参与度，特别优先考虑学生项目而非成人项目。这些有关学校如何使用其资金的信息为未来项目的决策提供了见解。
关键词：青少年；健康行为；实施科学；体育教育；项目评估；学校卫生服务。
通俗摘要
学校在通过实施鼓励体育活动和健康饮食的项目来促进学生健康的方面发挥着关键作用。本研究探索了德克萨斯州八所中学（75%为农村地区）如何使用每年3500美元的资金来运行这些健康计划。HSRC倡议要求学校参与“跨越德州步行”等项目，以及其他青少年和成人健康项目。我们考察了学校的资金支出情况，并将购买物品分类为设备、用品以及学生、成人和教师的激励措施。平均而言，学校主要在设备和学生激励上花费预算。相比之下，对成人和教师激励的支出非常有限。研究发现表明，学校做出了战略性的支出决策以最大限度地提高学生的参与度，通常优先考虑学生项目而非成人项目。这些信息可以帮助未来的决策者更高效地分配资源，确保学校的健康计划具有影响力。了解这些支出模式可以改善基于学校的健康举措的实施和可持续性，最终使学生及其周边社区受益。
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