School environments can help students develop and practice healthy eating habits by increasing healthy food options and eliminating foods that are high in fat and sugar. Many schools adopt nutrition policies because research shows that healthy, well-nourished students are more prepared to learn, have better attendance rates, visit the school nurse less often, and have fewer behavioral problems. Project LEAN encourages schools to adopt nutrition policies and is able to help schools navigate through the policy process.
How can you help?
There are many tools that can help a school community (teachers, school board members, administrators, parents, students, and concerned community members) improve the nutrition and physical activity environment in your school district:
School Health Index:
The Center for Disease Control’s School Health Index is a tool to help schools assess their nutrition and physical activity programs. Completing modules 1, 3, 4, 8 can help schools identify the strengths and weakness in the nutrition and physical activity programs. Click here to download the assessment tool:
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/shi/
School Foods Tool Kit:
http://www.cspinet.org/schoolfood/
Sample Policies
Several school districts on the Northcoast have adopted comprehensive school nutrition policies:
For additional "Bright Ideas" look at the California Project LEAN website for successful, healthy changes in school environments:
http://www.californiaprojectlean.org/
