Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #120509

Jimmy Newkirk, NC Division of Public Health, 1915 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27609-1915, 919.715.3348, jimmy.newkirk@ncmail.net

Background: NC Division of Public Health has partnered with the NC Department of Public Instruction and others to seek passage of the NC Healthy Active Children Policy as well as the publishing of Move More: North Carolina's Recommended Standards for Physical Activity in Schools. Purpose: To increase opportunities for healthy living and physical activity in schools. Methods: Partnerships between the NC Deptartment of Public Instruction, NC Division of Public Health, NC Healthy Schools, NC Cooperative Extension and other state and local agencies, resulted in advocacy opportunities and ultimate passage of state school board policy and the creation of recommended standards for physical activity and physical education in schools. School policy addresses coordinated school health, school health advisory councils, physical activity, and physical education. Results: The NC Healthy Active Children policy passed the State Board of Education in January 2003, and was revised in April 2005, requiring at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity in grades K-8. The Move More School Standards were released in August 2005. Discussion: Students in NC Public Schools have increased opportunities for healthy lifestyles and physical activity as a result of partnership and consensus building.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of the session, participants will be able to
• • Describe the process of partnership and consensus building used for creating policy change and statewide standards
• • Discuss the components of the NC Healthy Active Children Policy and NC Recommended Standards for Physical Activity in Schools
• • Recognize lessons learned in developing policy and standards through partnerships

Keywords: School Health, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.