NASBE Releases Two Critical New School Health Policy Guides

New Chapters of Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn Series Focus on Physical Activity and Healthy Eating

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As states and districts mobilize to fight childhood obesity, the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) is releasing two new chapters in its Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn series of school health policy guides. Developed with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these updates to chapters on physical activity and healthy eating are especially timely given recent and coming changes to federal policies and initiatives.

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Leadership from education policymakers is critical to ensuring that education policies support healthy school environments, and Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn is a valuable resource for them to use. The updated chapters Policies to Promote Physical Activity and Physical Education and Polices to Promote Healthy Eating can aide state and local policymakers and administrators as they create these environments.

"Research has repeatedly shown that healthy students have a greater chance at academic success than those who are not," said NASBE Executive Director Jim Kohlmoos. "While families naturally have primary responsibility for their children's well-being, schools also have a vital role to play, and effective programs begin with sound policy. Physical activity and healthy eating need to be looked at as complementary policy areas to best help students lead healthier, more active lives."

The guides are rich with recent scientific data, analysis, examples of state and local best practices, and evidence-based model policies that can be adapted by schools, districts, and states. The guides also cover a wide array of topics, ranging from creating healthy eating environments and nutrition-related school services to what makes a quality physical education program, promoting active commuting to school and the importance of recess and other physical activity breaks. These chapters, which have been completely revised since their first editions were published in 2000, are essential tools for education leaders and school health professionals at all levels.

Publication of Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn was made possible with support from the CDC. For more information about how to order these chapters and for downloads, go to www.nasbe.org/fhrtl. Orders for hard copies will be shipped in early December.

The National Association of State Boards of Education represents America's state and territorial boards of education. NASBE exists to strengthen State Boards as the preeminent educational policymaking bodies for citizens and students. For more, visit www.nasbe.org.

SOURCE National Association of State Boards of Education