FOR SCHOOLS

Active Living in Schools

Children and adolescents should spend 60 minutes a day being physically active.  Comprehensive
school-based physical activity programs can help students meet most of their physical activity needs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), physical activity can affect academic achievement.  For example:

• Elementary school girls who participated in more physical education had better math and reading test scores than girls who had less time in physical education.
• Physical activity can help students improve concentration, memory, and classroom behavior.

Schools can improve physical activity by providing:

• Quality Physical Education
• Daily Recess
• Physical Activity Breaks
• Intramural Sports
• Interscholastic Sports
• Walk and Bike-to-School Programs

Learn More:

CDC:Healthy Schools
CDC:Healthy Schools

Healthy Eating in Schools

For most American children and adolescents, school is not only a place of learning, but also a place of eating. Many students participate in the school-lunch and school-breakfast programs. Schools are in a unique position to support nutritious eating and influence the eating habits of children. By offering healthier food and beverage options schools are empowering students to make healthy choices – a skill that will benefit students long after they graduate.

Schools can support healthy eating in the following ways:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate healthy eating policies and practices
• Establish a school environment that supports healthy eating
• Provide a quality school meal plan
• Ensure students only have appealing, healthy food and beverage choices offered outside of meals
• Employ qualified individuals for health education and nutrition services
• Implement an education program providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to make healthy eating decisions
• Partner with families and community members to develop healthy eating policies, practices and programs
• Offer alternative breakfast programs, like breakfast after the bell, to improve school breakfast participation

Source:
CDC:Healthy Schools

Mental Wellness in Schools

Mentally healthy children have a positive quality of life and can function well at home, in school, and in their communities. Physical and mental wellness are both important to a child's success in school. When children are physically healthy, they are better able to perform academically. Additionally, children who are overweight or obese risk becoming targets of social discrimination and stigmatization which can result in stress, lowered self-esteem, and decreased academic and social success. School health programs play a vital role in promoting healthy behaviors in children and youth. They can have positive effects on educational outcomes and help maintain physical and mental wellness.

Source:
CDC