Will web-based research suffice when collecting U.S. school district policies? The case of physical education and school-based nutrition policies

Table 1 Local pilot state selection

State	State Policy Extensiveness*	Geographic Area
California	High	West
Georgia	Middle	Southeast
Illinois	Middle/Low	Midwest
Massachusetts	Low	Northeast (township oriented)
New York	High	Northeast (not township oriented)
Texas	Middle	South Central

* The classification of state policy extensiveness was based on a review of state physical education and school-based nutrition policies as of December 31, 2003 published in a supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.[9, 10] These data were the only state policy classification data available at the time of the local sample selection. "High" state policy extensiveness indicated that the state law contained more in-depth policy provisions in the areas of PE and school-based nutrition. "Low" state policy extensiveness indicated that the state law contained little, if any, details relative to state guidelines governing PE and/or school-based nutrition issues.

ISSN: 1479-5868