School personnel’s comprehension and perceptions of school recruitment materials for Strong Teens for Healthy Schools

Recruiting for school health programs has become a challenge in recent years owing to multiple environmental, institutional, and logistical factors. The aims of this cross-sectional study, conducted at a professional health educators conference (K-12 schools), are to (1) assess comprehension of recruitment materials created for Strong Teens for Healthy Schools (STHS), a middle school-based program focused on physical activity and nutrition, and (2) understand perceptions of barriers to participating in STHS among school district administrators and staff. Participants ( n = 28) were assigned to review recruitment materials and provide feedback on a flyer ( n = 18) or two videos ( n = 10) that explain STHS research and program activities. Interviews were deductively coded and thematically analyzed. Participants were primarily non-Hispanic (93%), White (71%), and female (83%), with 19.8 ± 9.8 years of experience in health education. Five themes emerged. (1) Participants recognized that the flyer emphasized the program’s focus on empowering students to make changes in nutrition and physical activity. (2) Participants desired more information on the flyer about program logistics to help them make an informed decision. (3) Videos were perceived to showcase research activities clearly. (4) Concerns were raised regarding the curriculum content and the role of health assessments in program success. (5) Buy-in from administrators, teachers, parents, and students could be potential barriers to implementing STHS. Findings from this study help inform the creation of recruitment materials for future health promotion programs.