The anti-obesity Alliance for a Healthier Generation named 323 schools across the country as “America’s healthiest schools,” based on offering healthy school meals and ensuring physical activity each day. Nearly half of the schools were from Texas, California, Georgia and Arizona.
“Schools earned the distinction by successfully meeting a rigorous set of criteria for serving healthier meals and snacks, getting students moving more, offering high-quality physical and health education, and empowering school leaders to become healthy role models,” said the alliance. The requirements include meeting USDA school-meal standards, offering breakfast daily, having a wellness program and providing at least 60 minutes of physical education per week and physical activity throughout the school day.
More than 35,000 schools with an enrollment topping 20 million students have taken part in the Healthy Schools Program, one of the nation’s largest school-based childhood obesity prevention initiatives, since 2006, said the alliance. The CDC says 17 percent of youth aged 2-19 are obese, “putting children at risk of poor health.”
For the list of healthiest schools, click here.