Legislative Update and the School Nutrition Environment May 2004

In the 2004 session, Washington State legislators passed Senate Bill 5435. This bill directs the State School Directors Association (WSSDA) to develop a model policy for nutrition and physical activity in schools. WSSDA will seek input from diverse partners in order to develop a policy that enhances access to nutritious foods and opportunities for physical activity. The policy must address:

• Nutritional content of foods and beverages sold throughout the school day and in competition with the federal school meal programs
• Developing of a physical education and fitness curriculum for students
• Availability of health, nutrition and physical education curriculum
• Full text: www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2003-04/Senate/5425-5449/5436-s_pl.pdf

Once WSSDA has formed the policy local school boards will be required to adopt the policy or to form their own policy by August 2005. This means that each school board will have to 1) talk about these issues and 2) decide how they want to address them.

WSSDA is holding a meeting May 20th to get input on the content of the policy from a variety of groups. WSSDA is inviting all interested parties to be present at this meeting. Meeting participants will be asked to review a draft policy and provide feedback to WSSDA before the final policy is drafted. To attend this meeting, email Martharose Laffey at: M.Laffey@wssda.org. Include name, position and organization name.

Dietitians are uniquely qualified to bring credibility to the issue of prevention of childhood obesity through school nutrition and physical activity standards in local schools. Here’s how:

Familiarize yourself with the issue:

• See what the nutrition and physical activity environments are like in schools in your area. Find out what the current policies are regarding vending machines, competitive foods, cafeteria foods and physical activity
• Contact your local health department to find out what, if any, existing activities are already underway surrounding this issue
• Review the literature on policies and practices that help to promote healthy eating and physical activity

Generate interest:

• Talk about these issues in your circle of health professionals, parents, kids, PTA members and other community members
• Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper
  

Involve yourself in the decision making process:

• Testify to the local school board on the importance of setting standards for nutrition and physical activity in schools
• Attend one of the Community Forums on this topic already planned in the following counties: Benton-Franklin, Clark, Island, King, Pierce, and Thurston. For more information see the Washington State Board of Health website: www.doh.wa.gov/sboh
• If a Community Forum is not planned in your area, encourage the local Board of Health and Health Department to convene a meeting with the local School Board and community members to discuss this issue
• Consider running for a seat on the school board - the health interests of our children should be represented!

Check out resources on the internet:

• www.actionforhealthykids.org
• www.HealthySchoolsWA.org
• www.frac.org
• www.vusd.k12.ca.us/cns/healthyvending.htm
• www.childrensalliance.org
• www.aap.org (Policy Statement on Soft Drinks in Schools, January 2004)
• www.wspha.org/Resolution_02-03.htm (Washington State Public Health Association Policy Statement on Nutrition and Physical Activity in Schools)
• www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/SHI/index.htm (School Health Index Assessment tool)

Information provided by: Nicole Campbell, University of Washington MPH in Nutrition Student and Kara Ludlow, RD, Children’s Alliance