Recommended Strategies for Schools

HEAL's Recommended Strategies for Schools

• Adopt nutrition standards that support the sale and distribution of healthier nutrient-dense foods and beverages during the school day (i.e., meal menus, vending machines, birthday/holiday celebrations, fundraising events, concession stands)
• Restrict the sale, and limit advertising and promotions of less healthy foods and beverages during the school day
• Adopt and implement a policy to provide developmentally appropriate daily physical activity and exercise through physical education classes, recess, interscholastic sports, club or intramural sports, and integrating physical activity into the academic curriculum
• Support school wellness committees to implement school wellness policies and plans
• Conduct highly visible school-wide healthy eating active living campaigns with messages directed to students, staff and parents through various media

Before/After School Programs

• Adopt policies to serve and/or promote healthy snacks and provide for some physical activity each day
• Substitute non-educational screen time with active games and team building activities/exercises
• Include before and after school programs in school wellness policies and plans

Preschools/Early Child Care Programs

• Adopt policies that promote healthy snacks and physical activity, stimulation and limited sedentary time for children
• Provide skill based nutrition and physical activity learning opportunities for students staff and families