Researchers asked school principals across Australia about their physical activity and nutrition programs to understand what makes these programs stick around long-term. They found that schools running nutrition programs kept them going longer than physical activity programs. The most important factor for keeping both types of programs going wasn’t fancy equipment or special training—it was making sure the program matched what the school already cared about. Schools that connected their health programs to their main goals, worked with outside organizations, and had official policies supporting the programs were much more likely to keep them running year after year.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: What helps schools keep their physical activity and nutrition programs running for many years instead of stopping them after just a year or two?
  • Who participated: 207 school principals from randomly selected primary schools across Australia answered questions about their health programs
  • Key finding: Nutrition programs lasted about 7.4 years on average while physical activity programs lasted 6.9 years. Schools that aligned their health programs with their main school priorities were much more likely to keep the programs going long-term.
  • What it means for you: If you’re involved in school health programs, focusing on how the program fits with what your school already values may be more important than having the fanciest resources. This suggests schools should think carefully about how new health programs connect to their existing goals.

The Research Details

Researchers sent surveys to 207 school principals from across Australia, asking them about their physical activity and nutrition programs. Half the principals answered questions about physical activity programs, and the other half answered about nutrition programs. The survey asked about how long programs had been running and what factors helped them continue. The researchers looked at things like whether the program matched the school’s main goals, if the school worked with outside organizations, and whether there were official policies supporting the program.

This type of study is called a cross-sectional study, which means researchers collected information from schools at one point in time rather than following them over many years. The schools were randomly selected to represent all Australian primary schools, which helps make the findings more reliable for the whole country.

Understanding what makes school health programs last is important because starting a program is one thing, but keeping it going year after year is what actually helps students stay healthy. If researchers can figure out which factors help programs survive, schools can focus their efforts on those areas instead of wasting time and money on things that don’t matter as much.

This study included a large, nationally representative sample of schools, which is a strength. However, the information came only from principals’ answers, not from direct observation of the programs. The study was also a snapshot in time rather than following schools over many years, so we can’t be completely certain about cause and effect. The researchers used proper statistical methods to analyze the data, which adds to the reliability of the findings.

What the Results Show

Schools in the study were running multiple health programs at once. Schools with physical activity programs had an average of 5.4 different programs running, while schools with nutrition programs had an average of 2.8 different programs. This suggests schools are trying to tackle health from multiple angles.

When it came to how long programs lasted, nutrition programs had a slight edge. Nutrition programs lasted an average of 7.4 years compared to 6.9 years for physical activity programs. More importantly, nutrition programs were 3.27 times more likely to keep running long-term compared to physical activity programs—meaning if a nutrition program started, it was much more likely to still be there years later.

The most important discovery was about what actually keeps programs going. The researchers looked at four different categories of factors: things inside the school, things outside the school, what the program itself was like, and how the program was managed. Only one category showed up as truly important for both types of programs: outer contextual factors—basically, things outside the school that affect it.

Within that category, the single most important factor was whether the program matched up with what the school already cared about. Schools that made sure their health programs fit with their main priorities were much more likely to keep those programs running.

The study also found that partnerships between schools and outside organizations helped programs last longer. When schools worked with community groups, health organizations, or other outside partners, their programs were more likely to continue. Additionally, having official school policies or guidelines that supported the program made a big difference. Schools with written policies backing their health programs kept them going longer than schools without such policies.

This research adds important new information to what we already know about school health programs. Previous studies have shown that many school programs don’t last very long, but this is one of the first studies to specifically look at what helps Australian schools keep their programs going. The finding that alignment with school priorities matters most is practical and actionable—it suggests schools don’t need to reinvent themselves to add health programs, but rather connect new programs to what they’re already doing.

This study has some important limitations to keep in mind. First, the information came only from principals’ answers to surveys, not from independent verification of whether programs were actually running as described. Second, the study looked at schools at one point in time, so we can’t be completely sure that the factors identified actually caused programs to last longer—they might just be associated with longer-lasting programs. Third, the study couldn’t measure everything that might affect program success, so there may be other important factors not captured in the survey. Finally, because this is Australian data, the findings might not apply exactly the same way in other countries with different school systems.

The Bottom Line

If you’re starting or maintaining a school health program, make sure it connects clearly to your school’s main goals and priorities (high confidence). Work to build partnerships with outside organizations that can support the program (moderate confidence). Develop official school policies or guidelines that back up the program (moderate confidence). These steps appear to be more important than having fancy equipment or special resources.

School principals, teachers, and school board members should pay close attention to these findings. Health program coordinators and community organizations working with schools will also find this useful. Parents who want their children’s schools to have lasting health programs should encourage schools to follow these recommendations. However, this research is specifically about Australian primary schools, so schools in other countries may need to adapt these findings to their own situations.

Don’t expect changes overnight. The programs studied had been running for an average of 7 years, suggesting that building sustainable programs takes time. Schools should expect to invest in alignment with school priorities and partnerships for at least the first year before seeing whether a program will truly stick around long-term. The benefits of sustained programs—better student health and fitness—would likely show up over several years of consistent implementation.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track how well your school’s health program aligns with school priorities by rating alignment on a scale of 1-10 each month. Also track the number of active partnerships supporting the program and whether written policies exist and are being followed.
  • If you’re involved in school health programs, use the app to set a specific goal: identify your school’s top three priorities, then document how your health program connects to each one. Create a simple one-page document showing these connections and share it with staff.
  • Every quarter, review whether your program’s alignment with school priorities is still strong, whether partnerships are active, and whether policies are being followed. Use the app to track program participation rates and note any changes in school leadership or priorities that might affect the program’s future.

This research describes factors associated with school health programs lasting longer in Australian primary schools based on principals’ reports. It does not provide medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. School administrators should consult with education specialists, health professionals, and their school boards before implementing new programs. Individual school circumstances vary, and what works in one school may need adjustment in another. This study identifies associations, not definitive proof of cause and effect. Always consult with qualified education and health professionals before making significant changes to school health programs.