Reporting of Validity from School Health Promotion Studies Published in 12 Leading Journals, 1996–2000

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Abstract
A targeted review was conducted of school‐based, controlled intervention studies that promoted good nutrition, physical activity, or smoking cessation/prevention, and were published in one of 12 leading health behavior journals between 1996 and 2000. The RE‐AIM framework was used to evaluate the extent to which each paper reported on elements of reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance. Thirty‐two publications were reviewed. Reporting rates across the RE‐AIM dimensions varied substantially: Reach = 59.3%; Efficacy = 100%; Adoption = 14.8%; Implementation = 37%; Maintenance = 25.9% for individuals, 0% for schools. Few studies reported if characteristics of the study sample were representative of those found in the broader population of students or schools. Among studies reporting on the RE‐AIM dimensions, participation rates generally were high (median 82%), adoption rates were moderate (median 72.5%), and reports of implementation were high (87%). To increase the potential to translate controlled research to “real‐world” practice conditions, a stronger emphasis should be placed on reporting the representativeness of the sample of students and schools.