Scoping Review of Family and Community Engagement Strategies Used in School‐Based Interventions to Promote Healthy Behaviors

Abstract

BACKGROUNDSchool efforts to promote health among students are more successful when families and community members are involved.METHODSWe conducted a scoping review to summarize and categorize family and community engagement strategies used in US school and out‐of‐school time (OST) interventions to address physical activity (PA) and nutrition in kindergarten through 12th grade students.RESULTSThe National Network of Partnership Schools' Six Keys to Success framework was useful in organizing the types of family and community engagement strategies used in included interventions. Many interventions used multiple family and community engagement strategies, with the most common being communicating with families and community members; providing support or education to families; and collaborations among school/OST program and community to support students and their families.CONCLUSIONSThis review identified six common family and community engagement strategies used in school and OST interventions for PA and nutrition. Including family and community engagement strategies in school and OST interventions could play an important role in maximizing support, resources, and expertise to promote healthy behaviors among all students.

Opportunities in the Extended Day: Approaches for Promoting Physical Activity and Healthy Eating During Out‐of‐School Time

“… 24 Another manuscript in this special issue offers a robust description of parent/community engagement strategies. 88 CPSTF recommends park infrastructure improvements with additional activities, like structured programming for increasing PA. 89 CPSTF finds the economic benefits exceed the cost for park infrastructure interventions to increase physical activity and use. 90 Schools could partner with parks and recreation departments to provide transportation to afterschool PA programming in community-settings, which may increase MVPA more than school-based aftercare, 35 and confer cardiovascular benefits.…”

Transforming Evidence Into Action: A Commentary on School‐Based Physical Activity and Nutrition Intervention Research

“…Many interventions that reported positive results for at least 1 PA or nutrition outcome provided implementation-focused professional development or technical assistance and/or engaged family or community members frequently as part of a coordinated approach. 16 – 18 , 22 , 32 Family and community engagement strategies to support and promote PA and nutrition in school and OST settings included communicating with families and community members; providing classes and support for families; offering volunteer opportunities for family and community members; involving families and community members in decision making; reinforcing health knowledge and practices in the home and community; and promoting collaborations among school and community to support students and their families. 32 …”

“… 16 – 18 , 22 , 32 Family and community engagement strategies to support and promote PA and nutrition in school and OST settings included communicating with families and community members; providing classes and support for families; offering volunteer opportunities for family and community members; involving families and community members in decision making; reinforcing health knowledge and practices in the home and community; and promoting collaborations among school and community to support students and their families. 32 …”

Growth and development impact of sustainable nutrition education: An experimental study

“…), and protect against nutrition-related chronic diseases (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, some types of cancer, etc.) that may occur in adulthood (Michael et al, 2023;Weihrauch-Blüher & Wiegand, 2018). The World Health Organization (WHO) Commission to Ending Childhood Obesity has reported that "healthy food consumption," "weight management," "increasing physical activity," "a healthy," "nutritious and active school environment," and "healthy nutrition and physical activity at an early age" are key components and targets in the prevention of childhood obesity (Ongan et al, 2023).…”