Session: School Wellness Policy: Its Time Has Come!


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

5042.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005: 8:30 AM-10:00 AM

Oral

School Wellness Policy: Its Time Has Come!

In June 2004, Congress passed Section 204 of Public Law 108-265, of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. This law requires local education agencies to establish a local school wellness policy that contributes to healthy school nutrition environments, addresses childhood obesity and prevents the onset of diet related diseases. The Act outlined minimum components of local school wellness policy including: goals for nutrition education & physical activity; nutrition guidelines and standards; a plan for measuring implementation and involvement of parent, students, school officials and the public. While some jurisdictions have policies and programs in place, other State and local schools districts are examining ways to meet this new requirement. This session provides an overview of the legislative requirements and shares different points of view from the Federal, State, local and community perspective, outlines models polices and some of the results from efforts that have been implemented.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will be able to: 1. Communicate the rationale and purpose of the local wellness policy outlined in the Reauthorization Act; 2. Apply, modify and implement models policies outlined in the session; 3. Diagnose and resolve potential challenges and build on the opportunities inherent in public law 108-265.

Moderator(s):

Judy Wilson, RD, MSPH

8:30 AM

Introductory Remarks

8:35 AM

Policy, Practice, and Promotion: The National Perspective