School Wellness Policies

In the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, U.S. Congress established a new requirement that all school districts with a federally-funded, USDA school meals program develop and implement wellness policies that address nutrition and physical activity by the start of the 2006-2007 school year.

The Guidance for the Development of California School Wellness Policies was created by the Local School Wellness Policy (LSWP) collaborative group that included the California Department of Education and other state and local agencies. This resource provides recommendations for meeting LSWP requirements.

California Healthy Kids Resource Center website provides a wealth of guidance, experiences, examples, and resources from within and outside California for developing and implementing successful Local School Wellness Policies.

USDA's Local Wellness Policy.  The USDA's Team Nutrition has compiled several examples of policies already developed by schools and State agencies and other resources  Schools must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness.  View samples of local wellness policies throughout the nation.

Model School Wellness Policies.   In order to develop such policies, the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (NANA, www.nanacoalition.org) convened a work group of health, physical activity, nutrition, and education professionals  to develop a set of model policies for local school districts.  This is a comprehensive set of model nutrition and physical activity policies that school districts may choose to use as written, or revise as needed to meet local needs and reflect community priorities.

Food Research and Action Center's (FRAC) Local School Wellness Policy.  FRAC discusses local school wellness policy topics and the next steps in developing policies.  FRAC also  provides various resources relating to the topic of school wellness policies and fact sheets on current child nutrition programs.

The Action for Healthy Kids Wellness Policy Tool  allows you to build your own policy by cutting and pasting language from existing or model policies that have been gathered from states and districts around the country. Follow the steps and use the searchable database to find ideas for policy options that meet your district's needs.

Other School Policies

California's Obesity Crisis: Focus on Solutions: What Schools Can Do  - Public Health Institute  March 2004. The California Public Health Institute provides four policy briefs related to competitive food sales, marketing to youth and children, fundraising at school, and physical activity in schools.

National Evaluation & Measurement Meeting on School Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies, Dec. 2004.  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation along with The California Endowment recognized the need for evidence and models for developing effective nutrition and physical activity policies in schools.  At a meeting held in summer of 2004, experts aimed to develop standard evaluation designs and measures for assessing school nutrition and physical activity policies and their impact on the school environment, and the resulting impact on student consumption and physical activity patterns, and obesity rates.

The School Health Index, 2004.  Schools can use the Index as a self-assessment and planning tool to improve the effectiveness of their health and safety policies and programs. The Index is a self-assessment and planning guide that will enable you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your school’s policies and programs for promoting health and safety; develop an action plan for improving student health and safety; and involve teachers, parents, students, and the community in improving school policies, programs, and services.  

Soft Drinks in Schools: Committee on School Health  Jan 2004. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school districts should consider restricting the sale of soft drinks to safeguard against health problems that result from over-consumption.  The policy recommends that pediatricians work to eliminate sweetened soft drinks in schools. This entails educating school authorities, patients and parents about the health ramifications of soft drink consumption.

Successful Students Through Healthy Food Policies--Healthy Food Policy Resource Guide was developed by the California School Boards Association and California Project LEAN. The Guide provides school governance leaders with a step-by-step approach to enhance the school environment so students can develop and practice healthy eating habits. The Guide outlines the link between nutrition, physical activity and learning; addresses the health status of children and youth; highlights school districts that successfully offer healthy foods and beverages; offers recommendations for a comprehensive nutrition and physical activity policy; and provides sample policies and resources.

Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn: A School Health Policy Guide - The National Association of State Boards of Education was asked by the Division of Adolescent and School Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help states, districts, and schools develop policies that would help prevent long-term chronic diseases.  Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn provides direction on establishing an overall policy framework for school health programs and specific policies on various topics. It is designed for use by states, school districts, and individual schools, public or private.