School Nutrition
Overview
Most US children attend school for 6 hours a day and consume as much as half of their daily calories at school. The school nutrition environment and services is part of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model and can help shape lifelong healthy eating behaviors. CDC recommends that schools implement policies and practices to create a nutrition environment that supports students in making healthy choices. A healthy school nutrition environment provides students with nutritious and appealing foods and beverages, consistent and accurate messages about good nutrition, and ways to learn about and practice healthy eating. |
Figure 1. Components of the School Nutrition Environment and Services Click to Enlarge |
Comprehensive Framework for Addressing the School Nutrition Environment and Services
Key Resources
- CDC School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity [PDF – 973KB]
- CDC Tips for Teachers—Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in the Classroom [PDF – 3.57MB]
- CDC School Health Index (online self-assessment and planning tool)
- The Healthier US School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms
- Voices for Healthy Kids resources
- Action for Healthy Kids resources
- Alliance for a Healthier Generation resources
- WellSAT 2.0
- Page last reviewed: September 5, 2017
- Page last updated: September 5, 2017
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