It is the primary responsibility of schools to foster academic achievement. Schools do this by providing a high-quality instructional program, but also by paying attention to the needs of the whole child that influence academic achievement. To better prepare students to learn, schools should provide education in an environment that gives students the skills, opportunities and encouragement they need to adopt healthy lifestyles. This requires more than educating youth on the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. Students should have access to healthy foods and beverages throughout the school day. Check out these resources to help your district develop a comprehensive nutrition and physical activity policy.

Related Research and Reports

Upcoming trainings

• CSBA Wellness Policy Trainings
• Workshop: Fed-up with Childhood Obesity
• Individual District Policy Workshops

Link to learning

• Links between nutrition, physical activity and learning
• The Learning Connection: The Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools

Youth health and obesity statistics

• Obesity trends
• Tool Kit on Trends and Policy Solutions for Youth Obesity
• The Economic Costs of Physical Inactivity, Obesity and Overweight in Adults
• California's Obesity Crisis: Focus on Solutions, What Schools Can Do

Surveys and reports

• California High School Fast Food Survey
• Improving Meal Quality in California’s Schools
• The State of the Plate: A school meal primer for California