School-based

Briefs & Primers

Active Education: Physical Education, Physical Activity and Academic Performance [PDF]
Acting Living Research
Fall 2007
This research brief describes the findings of several recent studies that show that more time in physical education and other school-based physical activity programs does not adversely affect students' academic performance. The research found that not only can higher levels of physical fitness be linked with improved academic performance among children and teens, but physical activity can also improve cognitive performance and promote on-task classroom behavior.

Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities and Youth Obesity [PDF]
National Association of Counties
April 2007
This publication describes the insights gained from a series of dialogues between county and school district officials and community stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities of using school programs to improve youth health and fitness. This document contains practical, replicable information for community leaders who face a series of specific community and cultural challenges which, along with the obesity issue, compete for their attention, resources, and innovation.

Childhood Obesity: Legislative Policy Approaches and the Evidence Base to Date [PDF]
National Conference of State Legislatures
July 2006
Supported by charts and tables, this report describes proposed and enacted state-level school nutrition and wellness policies while discussing the evidence on which the policies were based.

Childhood Obesity: Update of Policy Options and Research [PDF]
National Conference of State Legislatures
June 2007
This comprehensive report examines the recent research and legislation related to the nation's growing obesity epidemic. Its state-by-state analysis details policies that are aimed at enabling a younger generation to balance healthy eating and a physically active lifestyle. Highlighted policy issues include school nutrition, BMI legislation, student fitness screening, physical activity and education as well as other efforts to raise awareness about the effects of obesity.

School Wellness Policies [PDF]
National Conference of State Legislatures
November/December 2006
This document profiles both federal and state-based efforts to promote school wellness policies that aim to counter the mounting trend of childhood obesity. It examines the basic goals that future policies must satisfy in order to achieve increased wellness as well as some best practices in schools that have been undertaken at the state level.

Preventing Obesity in Youth through School-Based Efforts [PDF]
NGA Center for Best Practices
February 2003
This issue brief describes how states, school districts and schools can be part of the solution to the epidemic of childhood obesity. Sprinkled with compelling facts, strategies and best practices from around the country, it illuminates daily physical activity standards, nutrition policies and other school-based policies and programs.

Discussion of School Wellness Policies, LHC Partner Call
May 2006
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation organized a discussion of school wellness policies with guest speakers from the United States Department of Agriculture, the California Department of Health and California Project Lean, and the California School Boards Association.
Reducing Childhood Obesity in Schools [PDF]
May 2006
Peggy Agron, California Department of Health and California Project Lean
and Martin Gonzalez, California School Boards Association
School Wellness Policies: A National Perspective [PDF]
May 2006
Yibo Wood, PhD, Child Nutrition Division, United States Department of Agriculture

Leadership Action Strategies [PDF]
Leadership for Healthy Communities National Office
January 2003
This guide features 25 strategies and nearly 100 tactics that local and state governments can use to support active living. A range of step-by-step approaches to improve community health and vitality is organized under eight broad strategies, and includes interactive examples of long-and short-term, expensive and inexpensive, and broad based or targeted efforts supporting healthy community and school environments.

www.actionforhealthykids.org
Action for Healthy Kids
Leadership action on children's nutrition and physical activity. A nonprofit organization formed specifically to address the epidemic of overweight, undernourished and sedentary youth by focusing on changes at school.
www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/
CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health
CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health Web site includes a number of resources related to school wellness, physical education and nutrition, as well as information about the School Health Index.
www.schoolnutrition.org
School Nutrition Association
The School Nutrition Association is the membership organization of school food service providers. Information about school wellness policies is among the topics featured.
www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Healthy/wellnesspolicy.html USDA's Food and Nutrition Service has a wealth of information about school wellness policies and other school nutrition issues.
www.healthiergeneration.org The American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation formed the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to combat the spread of childhood obesity. The Web site includes information and resources for schools, children and parents, as well as healthcare professionals, the media, and companies.