Massachusetts School Wellness Needs Assessment

The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs and the Food and Nutrition Department at Framingham State University partnered to conduct the Massachusetts School Wellness Needs Assessment (MSWNA). The purpose of the MSWNA is to determine what factors enable schools to implement wellness policies and what factors act as barriers to implementation. This information will help to inform the development of wellness-related resources for schools throughout Massachusetts.

Executive Summary

Full Report

Research Article
School Wellness – It’s Everyone’s Job! Findings From the Massachusetts School Wellness Needs Assessment

Journal of Child Nutrition & Management; Volume 44, Issue 2, Fall 2020. Catherine A. Wickham, PhD, RDN, CDN; Michael Crosier, PhD, RD; Megan Lehnerd, PhD, MS; Karen McGrail, MEd, RDN, LDN; Denise Courtney, MS, RD, SNS; and Nicole Good

Video Presentation
Massachusetts School Wellness Needs Assessment Presentation: Background, Results and Next
Steps
Presented by Dr. Catherine Wickham, PhD, RD, CDN, Assistant Professor, Food and Nutrition at Framingham State University and Nicole Good, School Wellness Specialist at Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

This video presentation shares an overview of the MSWNA, including how the data was collected, results from the research, and most importantly how this project will be used to help schools across the Commonwealth. School wellness is an exciting movement that aims to support and engage everyone. Whether you are watching this presentation as an administrator or school professional, a parent, a student, or a community member, we encourage you to jump on board and join the movement.