Addressing health issues in New Zealand schools

Abstract

In New Zealand, schools implement a variety of strategies in an attempt to address health factors that influence students' learning. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which schools were able not only to identify health issues influencing learning but also to use a health promoting schools approach to address these issues. A questionnaire was posted to a randomly selected sample of 1000 New Zealand primary and secondary schools. Questions were asked about the school's strategic responses to the health issues that were identified as barriers to learning as well as respondents' knowledge of health promoting schools. The health issues that respondents most frequently perceived as affecting learning were related to food choices, lack of food, and physical activity and fitness. The piecemeal approach to addressing the issues suggests schools do not have a clear understanding of the concept of health promoting schools and that there is a need for professional development and a comprehensive national strategy.