Translational behavioral medicine
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Prevalences of childhood overweight and obesity represent major public health concerns. School-based policy strategies represent one approach to increasing access to healthy foods; however, overall health impact of such initiatives is often overlooked. We undertook program evaluation of a school wellness policy focused approach in low-income, multiracial communities in southeast Los Angeles. ⋯ We use this application of the REAIM framework to extract lessons learned from districts and after school programs that participated throughout the grant period. Through our partnership with schools we learned that our program evaluation filled an information gap for districts working to meet USDA's wellness policy requirement. Finally, while the wellness policy is an important lever in striving towards health equity in districts disproportionately impacted by obesity, additional policy, system, and environmental approaches are required to build a culture of health.