Implementation of a Statewide Policy Mandating School-Based Fitness Assessment Screening, Georgia: 2018.

Abstract

<i>Objectives.</i> To evaluate the statewide implementation of childhood fitness assessment and reporting in Georgia.<i>Methods.</i> We collected survey data from 1683 (919 valid responses from a random-digit-dialed survey and 764 valid responses from a Qualtrics panel) parents of public school students in Georgia in 2018.<i>Results.</i> Most parents reported that their child participated in fitness assessments at school, yet only 31% reported receiving results. If a child was identified as needing improvement, parents were significantly more likely to change the diet and exercise of both the child and the family.<i>Conclusions.</i> A state-level mandatory fitness assessment for children may be successful in state-level surveillance of fitness levels; parental awareness of the policy, receipt of the fitness assessment information, and action on receiving the screening information require more efforts in implementation.