From best practice to next practice: implementing Comprehensive School Health in rural and remote northern communities

• DOI: 10.24095/hpcdp.42.8.04
• Publication Date: 2022-08-15T12:08:22Z
• Authors: Paul J. Veugelers; Julia Dabravolskaj; Mohammad K.A. Khan; Truc (Trudy) Tran; Jenn Flynn; Katerina Maximova
• Keywords: Disadvantaged; Screen Time

<sec> <title>Introduction</title> Northern communities in Canada experience a disproportionate burden of chronic diseases including mental illness. To mitigate the growing health inequalities, an ongoing Comprehensive School Health program promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours and well-being was expanded to rural remote northern communities. We report on program’s impact knowledge, attitudes, (healthy eating, physical activity, screen time), weight status elementary school students during first four years implementation. </sec> <title>Methods</title> Following repeated cross-sectional design, we surveyed 440, 352 384 Grade 4 6 (9–12 old) from eight schools 2016, 2018 2020/21, respectively. Students were approximately equally represented by girls boys. <title>Results</title> Between 2016 2018, reported modest increases vegetable fruit consumption dietary variety; declines time; no changes activity; attitudes toward well-being. deteriorated substantially, while continued decline. <title>Conclusion</title> A that successful socioeconomically disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods had favourable, though modest, selected behaviours, but not well-being, In light cultural differences logistical challenges Canada’s North, systematic proactive adaptations local contexts, increased intensity, longer delivery are essential facilitate sustainable improvements