All school districts in King County and Washington State are developing new Nutrition and Physical Activity policies as required by Senate Bill 5436 passed in 2004. Schools can play an important role in providing healthy environments that help students establish healthy eating and exercise habits that will follow them throughout their lives. The new policies will reflect the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for nutrition and physical activity.

The Washington State Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan published by the Washington State Department of Health provides objectives that provide a strong framework with specific strategies to help promote healthy lifestyles in schools to help change our youth’s behavior by having nutritious food and beverage choices and more opportunities for physical activity.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is available to provide technical assistance and resources for developing and implementing strong nutrition and physical activity policies for school districts in King County.

Additional links and resources:

• Washington State Senate Bill 5436 (PDF)
  An act relating to the sales of competitive foods and beverages sold and served on public school campuses; and creating new sections.
  
  
• Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) Sample Nutrition Policy (PDF)
  
  
• Washington State Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan
  
  
• Healthy School Food Policies: A Checklist – June 2005 (PDF)
  
  
• Healthy Schools in Washington
  
  
• Schools Can Play a Role in Preventing Childhood Obesity (PDF)
  
  
• School Nutrition Campaign
  
  
• Healthy Schools in Washington
  
  
• Farm to School