Key Strategies for Schools to Prevent Obesity

Schools are an essential part of the solution to the obesity epidemic among U.S. children. Through strong school-based policies and programs—including nutrition standards, quality health education, quality physical education, and opportunities for physical activity—schools can help students adopt and maintain healthy eating and physical activity behaviors.

The Impact of Childhood Obesity

Obesity is a serious health problem in the United States, affecting adults and children of all races, ethnicities, and income levels. Childhood obesity is associated with numerous physical and mental health problems.

Among children aged 6 to 11 years, the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled over the past three decades, rising from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.0% in 2006. The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years has more than tripled during the same period, increasing from 5.0% to 17.6%. Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term health impacts:

• Young people who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems and sleep apnea.
• Obese children and adolescents can suffer social and psychological problems, such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.
• Young people who are obese are more likely than children of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults.
• Six in ten obese young people have at least one additional risk factor for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

Good eating habits and regular physical activity are critical for maintaining a healthy weight. Unfortunately, less than 25% of adolescents eat enough fruits and vegetables, and only a third of adolescents get the recommended 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily.

The Role of Schools in Preventing Childhood Obesity

Reversing the obesity epidemic requires a long-term, well-coordinated approach to reach young people where they live, learn, and play. Schools are key partners in this effort:

• More than 95% of young people in the United States are enrolled in schools.
• Students have the opportunity both to eat a large portion of their daily food intake at school and to be physically active there.
• Schools are an ideal setting for teaching young people how to adopt and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.
• Research shows that well-designed, well-implemented school programs can effectively promote physical activity and healthy eating.
• Emerging research documents the connections between physical activity, good nutrition, physical education and nutrition programs, and academic performance.

Working with other public, voluntary, and private sector organizations, schools can help reshape children's social and physical environments and provide information, tools, and practical strategies to help students adopt healthy lifestyles.

To assist schools in these efforts, CDC reviews scientific evidence to determine which school-based policies and practices are most likely to improve key health behaviors among young people, including physical activity and healthy eating. On the basis of these reviews, CDC has identified 10 strategies to help schools prevent obesity by promoting physical activity and healthy eating. CDC and its partners have also developed user-friendly tools that can help schools implement each of the strategies effectively.

More Information

Schools and Obesity Prevention

• Make a Difference at Your School!  Key Strategies to Prevent Obesity ( 1.64MB, 8 pages)
• The Role of Schools in Preventing Childhood Obesity ( 162KB, 9 pages)
• Childhood Obesity, CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health

Download a Podcast

• School Health Policies and Programs Study 2006: Physical Education and Physical Activity (4:28 mins)
• School Health Policies and Programs Study 2006: Healthy Eating (5:33 mins)

Additional Resources

• Guidelines for School Health Programs to Promote Lifelong Healthy Eating. These school health guidelines identify strategies most likely to be effective in promoting healthy eating among young people. Information includes the full text as published in MMWR and more.
• Guidelines for School and Community Programs to Promote Lifelong Physical Activity among Young People. These school health guidelines identify strategies most likely to be effective in promoting physical activity among young people. Information includes the full text as published in MMWR, a summary of the guidelines, and more.
• Local Wellness Policy Tools and Resources. This Web site provides links to tools and resources for school districts to assist with the development of local wellness policies in accordance with the June 2004 Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act (Sec 204).
• 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Guidelines from the US Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services provide authoritative advice for people 2 years and older about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases. The Guidelines serve as the basis for federal food and nutrition education programs.
• 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. These guidelines, the first to be issued by the federal government, present science-based recommendations to help persons aged 6 years or older improve their health through physical activity.
• Childhood Overweight and Obesity. This Web section provides information about childhood overweight and obesity, including how obesity is defined for children, the prevalence of obesity, the factors associated with overweight and obesity, and the related health consequences.
• Tips for Parents – Ideas to Help Children Maintain a Healthy Weight. This Web page provides information and tips to parents or guardians to help prevent childhood overweight and obesity.