Healthy School Environment
Washington, D.C.
The District of Columbia Action for Healthy Kids state team has done extensive work in the area of healthy vending. The team has supported the "Healthy Vending Policy," which aims to positively impact 86 schools in the D.C. public school system, beginning with an AFHK Healthy Vending Pilot Project. The team will assist seven D.C. schools with implementation and will continue to disseminate nutrition information and conduct marketing activities, like product sampling days, student-designed posters and customized poetry magnets that promote healthy choices.
In addition, pilot schools will implement Teen Health and Nutrition Councils, while health classes will work with students to complete Teen Nutrition Journals to determine long-term nutrition intake and physical activity. The pilot project uses a comprehensive approach to nutrition education and making healthy choices.
By the conclusion of the pilot in February 2005, all junior, middle and high schools will have replaced foods of minimal nutritional value with healthy snacks and beverages.
D.C. Action for Healthy Kids is working with schools to achieve three goals from the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity:
- Provide age-appropriate and culturally sensitive instruction in health education and physical education that help students develop the knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors to adopt, maintain and enjoy healthy eating habits and a physically active lifestyle.
- Provide food options that are low in fat, calories and added sugars, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lowfat or nonfat dairy foods.
- Encourage the use of school facilities for physical activity programs offered by the school and/or community-based organizations outside of school hours.