Findings: - School Nutrition
A Foundation for the Future II:
Analysis of Local Wellness Policies from
140 School Districts in 49 States
December 2006
Conducted by:
School Nutrition Association
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A Foundation for the Future II:
Analysis of Local Wellness Policies from 140 School Districts in 49 States
Executive Summary
During 2006 the nation’s school boards approved local wellness policies that require nutrition education, add recess and tighten nutrition standards for foods and beverages available in schools. School nutrition professionals continue to play leadership roles in the ongoing trend toward healthy school environments and the development and implementation of mandated local wellness policies. Section 204 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 required that all school districts that participate in the National School Lunch Program approve a local wellness policy by July 1, 2006. The law mandates that these policies include goals for nutrition education, physical activity and other school-based activities, as well as nutrition guidelines for all foods and beverages available on school campuses.
A Foundation for the Future II outlines key characteristics of local wellness policies approved by a sample of 140 school districts in seven regions of the United States. These districts account for 3.5% of the nation’s K-12 students. This report follows the release in October 2006 by SNA of an analysis of the local wellness policies approved for the 100 largest school districts by enrollment.
Among the key findings of this second report on the local wellness policies approved by 140 school districts in 49 states:
• 98.6% address school meal nutrition standards. (Note that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has set federal nutrition standards for meals served through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.)
• 88.6% address nutrition standards for a la carte foods and beverages.
• 87% address nutrition standards for foods and beverages available in vending machines.
• 69% address nutrition standards/guidelines for fundraisers held during school hours.
• 65.7% address nutrition standards/guidelines for classroom celebrations or parties.
• 55% address nutrition standards/guidelines for teachers using food as rewards in the classroom.
• 72.5% of school districts address a recess requirement for at least elementary grade levels.
91.7% require physical activity for at least some grade levels.
• 95% require nutrition education for at least some grade levels.
• 89% outlined a plan for implementation and evaluation, utilizing the superintendent, school nutrition director or wellness policy task force as the entity responsible for monitoring the policy.
Background
Overweight and obesity in young children is an alarming health concern today. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 16% of U.S. children ages 6 to 19 (over 9 million) are overweight according to 1999-2002 data, or triple the proportion in 1980.[i] Experts attribute much of this increased prevalence of childhood overweight to decreased physical activity and over-consumption of high-calorie foods.
Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004
School nutrition professionals have long taken leadership roles in promoting nutritious food and physical activity during the school day in an effort to promote healthy childhood weight. The School Nutrition Association’s (SNA) 2004 Trends Survey found that school districts made significant efforts to offer healthy choices in the two years preceding the survey, including 25% of responding districts having established nutrition standards for vending machines, 39% for a la carte programs and 56% for school lunch meals.[ii]
That same year, on June 30, 2004, President Bush signed into law the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. SNA advocated for Section 204 of the Act, requiring that all school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program adopt local wellness policies by July 1, 2006. That Section of the law states that, at a minimum, local wellness policies should include:
• goals for nutrition education, physical activity and other school based activities and nutrition guidelines approved by the local school board for all foods available on each school campus;
• a plan for measuring implementation of the local wellness policy; and
• involvement by parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, the school board, school administrators and the public in the development of the school wellness policy.
Local wellness policies offer a comprehensive, community-driven approach to promoting a healthy childhood weight in schools. Commitment by parents, students and all in the school community to act as role models, follow the policy guidelines and offer suggestions for improvements to the policy are critical to the success of this policy approach. The nature of the local policy development process for schools suggests that parents and other stakeholders involved in the process are motivated to ensure that policies live up to their potential for creating even healthier school environments.
Local, State and Federal Nutrition Standards
While Section 204 of the law requires local wellness policies that set nutrition standards for all foods available on school campuses, state and federal policies also apply. Meals served as part of the National School Lunch Program must meet U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition requirements. These requirements state that a week’s worth of menus can have no more than 30% of calories from fat and less than 10% from saturated fat and one-third of the Recommended Daily Allowances for protein, vitamins A and C, iron and calcium.
Since the mid-1980’s, the USDA has set policies for foods and beverages available outside of the school lunch program, prohibiting the sale of “Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value” (FMNV) in the school cafeteria during the lunch period. Categories of FMNVs include soda water, water ices, chewing gum, certain candies, hard candy, jellies and gums, marshmallow candies, fondant, licorice, spun candy and candy coated popcorn.
Many states have established nutrition standards for foods and beverages outside of the federal school meals program that go beyond the USDA FMNV policy. Since 2003, 45 states introduced 287 bills related to school nutrition standards and the sale of food and beverages in schools. Twenty-one states successfully passed bills, resulting in 31 bills being enacted out of the 287 introduced.[iii] During the same time period, four states adopted school nutrition regulations distinct from the USDA regulations. All of the state policies vary with regard to the specific standards and extent to which they are required.
In addition to local, state and federal nutrition standards, several organizations have proposed or plan to propose voluntary nutrition standards for competitive foods. Those groups include the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity and the Institute on Medicine (guidelines expected in early 2007).
Methodology
Collection of Policies
The School Nutrition Association has collected more than 800 local wellness policies from across the nation. Policies were collected via the following methods:
1. Searching for policy on school district’s website
2. Contacting the district’s school nutrition director
In order to understand the local school wellness policies being implemented across a range of school districts, the analysis for this report includes 20 school districts from each of seven geographic regions. The districts in each region were divided into five large districts, five medium districts, and ten small districts. Small district are defined as enrollment of under 5,000; medium districts had enrollments between 5,001 to 25,000; and large districts had enrollment between 25,001 to 46,000.[1] Enrollments were determined from the National Center for Education Statistics website.
Using the criteria mentioned above, local school wellness policies were collected via the following methods:
1. Searching for policy on school district’s website
2. Contacting the district’s school nutrition director
3. Contacting the school district’s central office
Analysis of Policies
Based on the elements of the law and our objectives, SNA developed an analysis tool that identified the specific areas that were to be analyzed, as well as the criteria for each area. See Appendix A for the areas analyzed and criteria used.
Five individuals with backgrounds in nutrition, policy analysis and/or research received training to use the analysis tool. Two people independently analyzed each policy. Results of both analyses were compared for each policy, and any differences were discussed and resolved by group consensus.
All of the policies were collected and analyzed between May 2006 and December 2006. See Appendix B for a list of the policies analyzed.
Findings:
These findings are based on the analysis of 140 school districts.
School Characteristics:
SNA chose to focus on 140 randomly selected school districts in seven geographic regions designated by SNA. The districts selected represent approximately 3.5% of total public school student enrollment of the United States. Approximately 73% of all regular school districts have fewer than 2,500 students enrolled and serve only 17% of all students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average school district has 5.6 schools. Nationally, approximately 37% of students are eligible for free and reduced price lunch.[iv]
The regional breakdown used in this study is based on the regional breakdown used by the United States Department of Agriculture. The map below shows the 140 districts analyzed in this report.
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Policy Characteristics:
The earliest adoption of a local wellness policy by these school districts was August 2004. The most recent adoption of a policy was October 2006. The districts’ school boards passed the majority of the policies between May 2006 and July 2006.
The format of these policies ranges from detailed to broad. Additionally, some of the broad policies have more specific procedures and details of the program attached, but not part of the main policy. The most common format for a policy, used by 37% of districts, is a broad policy with no procedures. Another 35% of districts’ policies are broad with more specific procedures and details of the wellness program attached, and 26.4% have passed detailed policies that include the specific procedures and detail in the main text.
Policies range in length from less than 1 page to 20 pages, with the average length of a policy being 5 pages.
Nutrition Guidelines
Reimbursable School Meals
Ninety-nine percent of the policies establish nutrition guidelines for the reimbursable school meal program, either directly or indirectly. Of the districts that establish nutrition guidelines, 98% mandate that these guidelines be followed. (See Appendix C for definitions)
Note: Meals served under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) must, by federal law, meet nutrition guidelines based on the goals of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. No more than 30% of calories can come from fat and less than 10% from saturated fat. School lunches provide one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium and calories. These guidelines apply over the course of one week of school lunch menus. The 2001 School Nutrition and Dietary Assessment II (SNDA II) study, based on research by the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the 1998-1999 school year, found that students in 91% of secondary schools and 82% of elementary schools had the opportunity to select lunches that were consistent with dietary standards for fat and saturated fat.[v]
A la Carte and Vending
A vast majority of districts establish nutrition guidelines for food and beverages available in a la carte (89%) and vending machines (87%). Only 11% of districts do not address food and beverages available in a la carte and only 13% do not address choices for vending machines.
Of districts that establish nutrition guidelines for a la carte, 93% make these guidelines mandatory, while 7% encourage schools to follow the guidelines. Similarly for vending guidelines, 94% of districts make these guidelines mandatory, and 6% encourage.
The types of nutrition guidelines for a la carte and vending foods and beverages vary.
• 16% of districts lay out prescriptive/specific nutrition standards for a la carte and vending. Policy standards limit the percentage of calories from fat or saturated fat for individual food items sold through a la carte or vending, or they set a combination of specific fat-gram or calorie limits.
Note: Since the mid-1980’s, the USDA has set policies for foods and beverages available outside of the school lunch program, prohibiting the sale of “Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value” (FMNV) in the school cafeteria during the lunch period. Foods that are considered FMNVs under current regulations include soda water, water ices, chewing gum, certain candies, hard candy, jellies and gums, marshmallow candies, fondant, licorice, spun candy and candy coated popcorn.
Many states have established nutrition standards for foods and beverages outside of the federal school meals program that go beyond the USDA FMNV policy. Since 2003, 45 states introduced 287 bills related to school nutrition standards and the sale of food and beverages in schools. Twenty-one states were successful in passing bills, resulting in 31 bills out of the 287 being enacted. During the same time period, four states adopted school nutrition regulations. All of the state policies vary with regard to the specific standards and extent to which they are required.
Fundraising Standards
Sixty-nine percent of the districts include recommendations and standards for the types of food that can be sold for fundraisers. Of these districts just over half make these standards mandatory, while the other districts encourage the use of the standards. Many of these policies require that fundraising activities involving food must follow the a la carte and/or vending nutrition standards set by the particular district’s wellness policy.
Classroom Celebrations
Sixty-six percent of districts include guidelines for food and beverages available at classroom celebrations. Of these districts, 49% make these guidelines mandatory, while 51% encourage using the guidelines.
Food as Rewards
Fifty-five percent of districts include guidelines for using food as a reward for student performance or behavior. Of these districts, 47% make following these guidelines mandatory while 53% encourage following these guidelines.
Nutrition Education
Ninety-five percent of the districts establish goals for nutrition education. Almost all of these districts (96%) make following these goals mandatory.
Physical Activity
Ninety-four percent of the districts establish goals for physical education. Of these districts, 92% make following these goals a mandatory requirement, while 8% encourage the use of these guidelines.
Forty-eight percent of districts establish a recess requirement for at least elementary grade levels, with 72% mandating the requirement.
Other School-Based Activities
Many districts incorporate additional elements and approaches aimed at promoting wellness among students. The following list outlines some of these elements:
Cafeteria Environment & Programs
• Emphasizing a pleasant eating environment for students (17)
• Ensuring adequate time to eat lunch (35)
• Requiring school breakfast service (23)
• Offering summer foodservice programs (3)
Scheduling recess before lunch (10)
• School gardens (4)
• Addressing meals provided for field trips (12)
• Staff wellness programs encouraging teachers and school staff to serve as role models in regard to wellness behaviors (24)
Implementation and Evaluation
Eighty-nine percent of these districts outline a plan for implementation and evaluation, utilizing the superintendent, school nutrition director or wellness policy task force as the entity responsible for monitoring the policy. Fifty-five policies assign the district school nutrition director with all or part of the responsibility for implementation and evaluation. Seventy-seven policies (55%) specifically give a wellness coordinator or the wellness taskforce the charge of overseeing implementation and evaluation of the wellness policy. Superintendents and principals are also commonly mentioned as ultimately responsible for evaluation of the policy at the district or school level.
Evaluation sections describe the use of the Coordinated Review Effort (CRE), Centers for Disease Control School Health Index and School Meals Initiative (SMI) review, conducted by state agencies of local child nutrition programs as one tool for evaluating the nutrition components of local wellness policies.
Conclusions and Next Steps
This analysis of local school wellness policies across a sample of district sizes and geographic regions provides insights into the types of policies that have been developed and are being implemented across the United States. The following points summarize the types of guidelines and elements being included in these policies.
• Components required by law (nutrition guidelines, nutrition education and physical activity) are included in over 94% of policies.
• Nutrition guidelines commonly extend beyond the reimbursable meal program to include a la carte and vending (in over 87% of policies). While not as common, guidelines for fundraising and classroom parties are included in over 65% of district policies. At least 56% of policies include guidelines regarding the use of food rewards, although these are more often encouraged than mandated.
• The nutrition guidelines cover a wide range of standards. Many policies emphasize whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods and beverages. The policies also limit portion sizes and calories from fat and sugar.
• Nearly all school districts included guidelines for some form of nutrition education. Districts made these guidelines mandatory over 96% percent of the time.
• Goals for physical education are established in almost all of the districts policies and almost half are including a recess requirement for elementary grade levels.
• Many district policies are incorporating additional elements related to wellness. Ensuring adequate time to eat lunch, staff wellness programs, and requiring school breakfast service are the most common types of additional programs being included.
• Most district policies include a plan for implementation and evaluation. More than half of all policies designate the wellness coordinator or wellness taskforce as the leader of overseeing implementation and evaluation.
Few differences exist between the findings from the analysis of the local school wellness policies of the largest 100 districts by enrollment and this regional/size analysis, with most of the findings being fairly consistent. The differences that do exist tend to be related to the manner in which the guidelines will be implemented (i.e. mandated versus encouraged).
• Overall, the regional picture/sample of local school wellness policies tend to be slightly more likely to directly address a la carte and vending guidelines and these guidelines are more likely to be mandated.
• Regional sample is also more likely to encourage versus mandate guidelines for fundraising, classroom parties, and the use of food as rewards. Fewer from the regional sample are addressing the use of food as rewards.
• The regional sample is also more likely to include adequate time to eat as a requirement.
Implementation of local school wellness policies is critical to the success of efforts to promote healthy childhood weight. Therefore the School Nutrition Association is compiling and sharing school nutrition professional resources, such as Policy in Action: A Guide to Implementing Your Local School Wellness Policy, released in September by California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition) (CPL,) a joint program of the California Department of Health Services and the Public Health Institute. Additionally, SNA will continue to highlight successful implementation examples from school districts of all sizes through the Association magazine, website and as part of SNA conferences.
While supportive of the comprehensive nature of local wellness policies, SNA remains an ardent supporter of one national school nutrition standard for foods and beverages sold outside of the school meal programs. The Association continues to call on Congress to give the United States Department of Agriculture the authority to develop national nutrition standards for all competitive foods in schools. A national, science-based, mandated school nutrition standard that is enforceable at the local level is needed. For this reason, SNA continues to call for the passage in Congress of the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act, S. 2592 and HR 5167, introduced during the 109th Congress.
Finally, SNA will continue to collect wellness policies approved by school districts of all sizes and in a variety of geographic locations in order to present an even more comprehensive picture of the state of local school wellness policies. SNA also plans to evaluate the implementation phase of local wellness policies in the coming year.
Appendix A: Section 204 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004
Section 204 of Public Law 108-265—June 30, 2004
Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004
SEC. 204 LOCAL WELLNESS POLICY
(a) IN GENERAL - Not later than the first day of the school year beginning after June 30, 2006, each local education agency participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.1751 et seq.) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42
U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) shall establish a local school wellness policy for schools under the local educational agency that, at a minimum—
1) Includes goals for nutrition education, physical activity and other school- based activities that are designed to promote student wellness in a manner that the local educational agency determines is appropriate;
2) Includes nutrition guidelines selected by the local educational agency for all foods available on each school campus under the local educational agency during the school day with the objectives of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity;
3) Provides an assurance that guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than regulations and guidance issued by the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of section 10 of the Child Nutrition Act (42 U.S.C. 1779) and section 9(f)(1) and 17(a) of the Richard B Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(f)(1), 1766(a)0, as those regulations and guidance apply to schools;
4) Establishes a plan for measuring implementation of the local wellness policy, including designation of 1 or more persons within the local educational agency or at each school, as appropriate, charged with operational responsibility for ensuring that the school meets the local wellness policy; and
5) Involves parents, students, and representatives of the school food authority, the school board, school administrators, and the public in the development of the school wellness policy.
(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND BEST PRACTICES. -
(1) IN GENERAL. - The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Education and in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, shall make available to local educational agencies, school food authorities, and State educational agencies, on request, information and technical assistance for use in—
(A) Establishing healthy school nutrition environments;
(B) Reducing childhood obesity; and
(C) Preventing diet-related chronic diseases.
(2) CONTENT. - Technical assistance provided by the Secretary under this subsection shall—
(A) Include relevant and applicable examples of schools and local educational agencies that have taken steps to offer healthy options for foods sold or served in schools;
(B) Include such other technical assistance as is required to carry out the goals of promoting sound nutrition and establishing healthy school nutrition environments that are consistent with this section;
(C) Be provided in such a manner as to be consistent with the specific needs and requirements of local educational agencies; and
(D) Be for guidance purposes only and not be construed as binding or as a mandate to schools, local educational agencies, school food authorities, or State educational agencies.
(3) FUNDING. –
(A) IN GENERAL. – On July 1, 2006, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the
Secretary of Agriculture to carry out this subsection $4,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2009.
(B) RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE. – The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this subsection the funds transferred under subparagraph (A), without further appropriation.
Appendix B: 140 School Districts Analyzed
|State |District |Region |Enrollment |Size |
|AK |Alaska Gateway School District |Northwest |502 |Small |
|AK |Fairbanks North Star Borough School District |Northwest |14810 |Medium |
|AL |Cullman City School District |Southeast |2681 |Small |
|AL |Shelby County School District |Southeast |22541 |Medium |
|AR |Brinkley School District |Southwest |993 |Small |
|AR |Fayetteville School District |Southwest |8061 |Medium |
|AZ |Amphitheater Unified School District |West |16868 |Medium |
|AZ |Kayenta Unified School District |West |2570 |Small |
|AZ |Page Unified School District |West |3017 |Small |
|AZ |Paradise Valley Unified School District |West |34884 |Large |
|CA |Alpine Union School District |West |2329 |Small |
|CA |Jefferson School District |West |1850 |Small |
|CA |Kernville Union School District |West |975 |Small |
|CA |Palo Verde Unified School District |West |3677 |Small |
|CA |San Jose Unified School District |West |32314 |Large |
|CA |Sweetwater Union High School District |West |39228 |Large |
|CA |Weaver Union School District |West |1683 |Small |
|CO |Canon City School District |Southwest |4025 |Small |
|CO |Park (Estes Park) School District R-3 |Southwest |1260 |Small |
|CT |Ansonia School District |Northeast |2691 |Small |
|CT |Canton School District |Northeast |1638 |Small |
|CT |Hartford School District |Northeast |22296 |Large* |
|CT |Norwalk School District |Northeast |11109 |Medium |
|DE |Cape Henlopen School District |Mideast |4311 |Small |
|DE |Seaford School District |Mideast |3375 |Small |
|DE |Smyrna School District |Mideast |3311 |Small |
|FL |Collier County School District |Southeast |40157 |Large |
|FL |Hernando County School District |Southeast |19596 |Medium |
|FL |Leon County School District |Southeast |32194 |Large |
|FL |Osceola County School District |Southeast |43911 |Large |
|GA |Coweta County School District |Southeast |19035 |Medium |
|GA |Muscogee County School District |Southeast |33055 |Large |
|IA |Davenport Community School District |Midwest |16366 |Medium |
|IA |De Moines School District |Midwest |31086 |Large |
|IA |Durant Community School District |Midwest |692 |Small |
|IA |Nevada Community School District |Midwest |1486 |Small |
|ID |Boise Independent District |Northwest |26286 |Large |
|ID |Idaho Falls School District |Northwest |10385 |Medium |
|IL |Bloomington School District |Midwest |5674 |Medium |
|IL |Rockford School District |Midwest |28887 |Large |
|IN |Jennings County School District |Mideast |5315 |Medium |
|IN |Mount Vernon Community School Corporation |Mideast |3029 |Small |
|KS |Atchison County Community School District |Southwest |759 |Small |
|KS |Blue Valley School District |Southwest |19055 |Medium |
|KS |Olathe School District |Southwest |22917 |Medium |
|KS |Osawatomie Unified School District #367 |Southwest |1238 |Small |
|KS |Washington County School District |Southwest |372 |Small |
|KY |Breckenridge County School District |Southeast |2769 |Small |
|KY |Elizabethtown Independent School District |Southeast |2400 |Small |
|LA |Iberville Parish School District |Southwest |4286 |Small |
|MA |Lynn School District |Northeast |14618 |Medium |
|MA |Springfield School District |Northeast |25976 |Large |
|MA |Uxbridge School District |Northeast |2236 |Small |
|MD |Caroline County School District |Mideast |5400 |Medium |
|MD |Carroll County School District |Mideast |28792 |Large |
|MD |Dorchester County School District |Mideast |4788 |Small |
|MD |Frederick County School District |Mideast |39489 |Large |
|MD |Harford County School District |Mideast |40200 |Large |
|MD |Worcester County School District |Mideast |6783 |Medium |
|ME |Augusta School District |Northeast |2611 |Small |
|ME |Caribou School District |Northeast |1667 |Small |
|MI |East Detroit School District |Mideast |6731 |Medium |
|MI |Haslett School District |Mideast |2941 |Small |
|MI |Portage School District |Mideast |9145 |Medium |
|MN |Big Lake School District |Midwest |3211 |Small |
|MN |Paynesville Area School District |Midwest |1110 |Small |
|MN |St. Paul School District |Midwest |42510 |Large |
|MN |Willmar School District |Midwest |4287 |Small |
|MO |Columbia School District |Midwest |16498 |Medium |
|MO |Kansas City School District |Midwest |37524 |Large |
|MO |Mexico School District |Midwest |2433 |Small |
|MO |Poplar Bluff School District |Midwest |4853 |Small |
|MS |Houston School District |Southeast |1974 |Small |
|MS |Lincoln County School District |Southeast |2959 |Small |
|MT |Townsend K-12 School District #1 |Northwest |745 |Small |
|NC |Edenton-Chowan School District |Southeast |2574 |Small |
|NC |New Hanover School District |Southeast |22268 |Medium |
|ND |Grand Forks School District |Midwest |7932 |Medium |
|ND |Valley City School District |Midwest |1215 |Small |
|NE |Ralston School District |Midwest |3112 |Small |
|NH |Merrimack School District |Northeast |4745 |Small |
|NJ |Hopewell Valley Regional School District |Northeast |3879 |Small |
|NJ |West Windsor - Plainsboro Regional School District |Northeast |9238 |Medium |
|NM |Carlsbad Municipal School District |West |6212 |Medium |
|NM |Gadsden Independent School District |West |13796 |Medium |
|NM |Las Cruces Independent School District |West |23101 |Large* |
|NV |Churchill County School District |West |4553 |Small |
|NV |Douglas County School District |West |7190 |Medium |
|NV |Humboldt County School District |West |3461 |Small |
|NY |Liverpool Central School District |Northeast |8629 |Medium |
|NY |Rochester City School District |Northeast |34598 |Large |
|NY |Yonkers School District |Northeast |26201 |Large |
|OH |Cincinnati School District |Mideast |40374 |Large |
|OH |Poland School District |Mideast |2514 |Small |
|OH |Toledo School District |Mideast |34468 |Large |
|OH |Upper Arlington School District |Mideast |5597 |Medium |
|OK |Bixby School District |Southwest |4016 |Small |
|OK |Salpulpa School District |Southwest |4231 |Small |
|OR |Beaverton School District |Northwest |35333 |Large |
|OR |Eugene School District |Northwest |18476 |Medium |
|OR |Forest Grove School District #15 |Northwest |5798 |Medium |
|OR |Neah-Kah-Nie School District |Northwest |811 |Small |
|OR |Oregon Trail School District 46 |Northwest |4201 |Small |
|PA |Avonworth School District |Northeast |1339 |Small |
|PA |Easton Area School District |Northeast |8728 |Medium |
|PA |Pittsburgh School District |Northeast |34658 |Large |
|RI |Exeter - West Greenwich School District |Northeast |2204 |Small |
|SC |Abbeville County School District |Southeast |3812 |Small |
|SC |Berkley County School District |Southeast |28387 |Large |
|SD |Meade School District |Midwest |2664 |Small |
|TN |Dayton City School District |Southeast |708 |Small |
|TN |Rhea County School District |Southeast |4020 |Small |
|TX |Allen Independent School District |Southwest |13864 |Medium |
|TX |Amarillo Independent School District |Southwest |29881 |Large |
|TX |Birdville Independent School District |Southwest |22507 |Medium |
|TX |East Chambers Independent School District |Southwest |1196 |Small |
|TX |Ector Independent School District |Southwest |26090 |Large |
|TX |Midland Independent School District |Southwest |20921 |Medium |
|TX |Socorro Independent School District |Southwest |32241 |Large |
|TX |Spring Branch Independent School District |Southwest |33005 |Large |
|UT |Iron County School District |West |7457 |Medium |
|UT |Park City School District |West |4268 |Small |
|UT |Washington County School District |West |20482 |Medium |
|VA |Alexandria City School District |Southeast |10996 |Medium |
|VA |Buckingham County School District |Southeast |2244 |Small |
|VT |Essex Town School District |Northeast |1359 |Small |
|WA |Bainbridge Island School District |Northwest |4211 |Small |
|WA |Deer Park School District |Northwest |2214 |Small |
|WA |Evergreen School District |Northwest |25345 |Large |
|WA |Federal Way School District |Northwest |22609 |Medium |
|WA |Griffin School District |Northwest |683 |Small |
|WA |Kent School District |Northwest |27293 |Large |
|WA |San Juan Island School District |Northwest |964 |Small |
|WA |Spokane School District |Northwest |31068 |Large |
|WI |Kettle Moraine School District |Midwest |4417 |Small |
|WI |Madison Metropolitan School District |Midwest |24894 |Large* |
|WV |Calhoun County School District |Mideast |1216 |Small |
|WV |Morgan County School District |Mideast |2574 |Small |
|WY |Converse County School District #2 |Northwest |755 |Small |
|WY |Sweetwater County School District #1 |Northwest |4318 |Small |
* - Classified as “large” school districts for this study.
Appendix C: SNA Local School Wellness Policy Analysis Criteria
Analysis Criteria:
|Category of |Area of Assessment |Criteria |
|Information | | |
|School Characteristics|State |None |
| |District Name |None |
| |District Size |Enrollment number |
|Policy Characteristics|Policy adoption date |Date, if available |
| |Length of Policy |Number of pages, rounded |
| |Format of Policy |What was the level of detail in the policy? |
| | |Detailed policy (i.e. policy included specific goals) |
| | |Broad Policy with Procedures (i.e. policy wording is general/broad, but |
| | |includes an attached document with strategies for achieving these goals) |
| | |Broad Policy without Procedures (i.e. General statements with little to no |
| | |specifics |
|Nutrient Guidelines |School Meals |Was it addressed? (yes/no/indirectly referenced) |
| | |Type of guideline: |
| | |Mandated (i.e. language must, will, shall) |
| | |Encouraged (i.e. language should, may recommend, encourage) |
| | |DGA (mentioned Dietary Guidelines for Americans) |
| | |Prescriptive (i.e. specific nutrient guidelines/limits) |
| | |Ideas (provided examples and/or ideas) |
| | |Comments (clarifications or additional comments on this topic within policy) |
| |A la Carte |Was it addressed? (yes/no/indirectly referenced) |
| | |Type of guideline: |
| | |Mandated (i.e. language must, will, shall) |
| | |Encouraged (i.e. language should, may recommend, encourage) |
| | |DGA (mentioned Dietary Guidelines for Americans) |
| | |Prescriptive (i.e. specific nutrient guidelines/limits) |
| | |Ideas (provided examples and/or ideas) |
| | |Comments (clarifications or additional comments on this topic within policy) |
| |Vending |Was it addressed? (yes/no/indirectly referenced) |
| | |Type of guideline: |
| | |Mandated (i.e. language must, will, shall) |
| | |Encouraged (i.e. language should, may recommend, encourage) |
| | |DGA (mentioned Dietary Guidelines for Americans) |
| | |Prescriptive (i.e. specific nutrient guidelines/limits) |
| | |Ideas (provided examples and/or ideas) |
| | |Comments (clarifications or additional comments on this topic within policy) |
| |School Fundraisers |Was it addressed? (yes/no/indirectly referenced) |
| | |Type of guideline: |
| | |Mandated (i.e. language must, will, shall) |
| | |Encouraged (i.e. language should, may recommend, encourage) |
| | |DGA (mentioned Dietary Guidelines for Americans) |
| | |Prescriptive (i.e. specific nutrient guidelines/limits) |
| | |Ideas (provided examples and/or ideas) |
| | |Comments (clarifications or additional comments on this topic within policy) |
| |Classroom Parties |Was it addressed? (yes/no/indirectly referenced) |
| | |Type of guideline: |
| | |Mandated (i.e. language must, will, shall) |
| | |Encouraged (i.e. language should, may recommend, encourage) |
| | |DGA (mentioned Dietary Guidelines for Americans) |
| | |Prescriptive (i.e. specific nutrient guidelines/limits) |
| | |Ideas (provided examples and/or ideas) |
| | |Comments (clarifications or additional comments on this topic within policy) |
| |Food as Rewards |Was it addressed? (yes/no/indirectly referenced) |
| | |Type of guideline: |
| | |Mandated (i.e. language must, will, shall) |
| | |Encouraged (i.e. language should, may recommend, encourage) |
| | |DGA (mentioned Dietary Guidelines for Americans) |
| | |Prescriptive (i.e. specific nutrient guidelines/limits) |
| | |Ideas (provided examples and/or ideas) |
| | |Comments (clarifications or additional comments on this topic within policy) |
| |Field Trips |Was it addressed? (yes/no/indirectly referenced) |
| | |Type of guideline: |
| | |Mandated (i.e. language must, will, shall) |
| | |Encouraged (i.e. language should, may recommend, encourage) |
| | |DGA (mentioned Dietary Guidelines for Americans) |
| | |Prescriptive (i.e. specific nutrient guidelines/limits) |
| | |Ideas (provided examples and/or ideas) |
| | |Comments (clarifications or additional comments on this topic within policy) |
|Nutrition Education |Nutrition Education |Was it addressed? (yes/no/indirectly referenced) |
| | |Type of Guideline: |
| | |Mandated (i.e. language must, will, shall) |
| | |Encouraged (i.e. language should, may recommend, encourage) |
| | |Ideas (provided examples and/or ideas) |
| | |Comments (clarifications or additional comments on this topic within policy) |
|Physical Activity |Recess |Was it addressed? (yes/no/indirectly referenced) |
| | |Type of Guideline: |
| | |Mandated (i.e. language must, will, shall) |
| | |Encouraged (i.e. language should, may recommend, encourage) |
| | |Ideas (provided examples and/or ideas) |
| |Physical Education |Was it addressed? (yes/no/indirectly referenced) |
| | |Type of Guideline: |
| | |Mandated (i.e. language must, will, shall) |
| | |Encouraged (i.e. language should, may recommend, encourage) |
| | |Ideas (provided examples and/or ideas) |
| |Other School Based |Was it addressed? (yes/no/indirectly referenced) |
| |Activities |Type of Guideline: |
| | |Mandated (i.e. language must, will, shall) |
| | |Encouraged (i.e. language should, may recommend, encourage) |
| | |Ideas (provided examples and/or ideas) |
| |Physical Activity Comments |Provided specifics and clarifications on guidelines, if needed |
|Implementation and | |Was it addressed? (yes/no) |
|Evaluation | |Who was mentioned? (Administration/CN Director/Wellness Committee) |
|Elements Beyond the |Innovative Programs |Included any innovative programs in the areas of: |
|law | |Nutrition Education |
| | |Physical Activity |
| | |Other |
| |Parental Involvement |Were parents mentioned in policy? |
| | |Comments: |
|General Comments | | |
-----------------------
[1] For the purposes of this report, Hartford School District, CT; Las Cruces Independent School District, NM; and Madison Metropolitan School District, WI are considered “large” school districts.
-----------------------
[i] Obesity Still a Major Problem, New Data Show CDC Fact Sheet 2004
[ii] 2004 ANC Trends Survey. School Nutrition Association. Alexandria, VA
[iii] Summary of State School Nutrition Standards, School Nutrition Association, October 2006
[iv] Dalton, B. Sable, J., and Hoffman, L. (2006). Characteristics of the 100 Largest Public Elementary and Secondary School Districts in the United States: 2003-04 (NCES 2006-329).
U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.
[v] US Department of Agriculture. School Nutrition and Dietary Assessment II, April 2001
-----------------------
Data based on districts that directly or indirectly addressed reimbursable school meals in policy.
Data based on districts that directly or indirectly addressed a la carte foods and beverages in policy.
Data based on districts that directly or indirectly addressed vending foods and beverages in policy.
Data based on districts that directly or indirectly addressed classroom celebrations in policy.
Data based on districts that directly or indirectly addressed fundraising in policy.
Data based on districts that directly or indirectly addressed food as rewards in policy.
Types of Prescriptive Nutrition Standards for
A la Carte and Vending
• 30% or 35% calories from fat / 10% calories from saturated fat / 35% sugar by weight (14 districts)
• Emphasizing whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and lowfat dairy foods and beverages
• Portion sizes limits by ounces per serving
Types of Physical Activity Provisions
• Following state physical education requirements, including afterschool athletic activities
• Incorporating physical activity into classroom activities
• Professional development for physical education instructors
• Making the athletic facilities available after school hours for students and community
Types of Nutrition Education Provisions
• Following state-specified nutrition and health education curriculum requirements
• Integrating nutrition education into traditional curriculum/courses
• Utilizing the cafeteria and school menu for nutrition education
• Professional development of those required to teach nutrition education
• Providing nutrition education to parents
Policy Spotlight: Fundraisers
Food items such as candy, chocolate, and flavored popcorn long have been fundraising staples in many school districts. The money from these sales helps support athletics, music programs, clubs, scholarships and a variety of other student activities. With healthy foods and good nutrition the focus of local school wellness policies, many school districts are rethinking how to regulate food-related fundraisers.
Cullman City (Alabama) School District
Enrollment: 2,681
Policy Overview: Cullman City has a very detailed policy that covers nearly every aspect of nutrition and physical activity during the school day. The policy lists very detailed guidelines regarding foods and beverages sold through the National School Lunch Program, as well as sold through a la carte, vending, and fundraising. Sections on lunches brought from home, field trips, and classroom instruction are included.
Fundraising Rules: Mandated
The policy has detailed rules for fundraising activities conducted by students. Students can only sell healthy foods as a fundraiser on school grounds between student arrival and dismissal. Foods of minimal nutritional value or excess portion size cannot be sold during the school hours. The policy states that any fundraising that occurs during school hours “should be designed to support children’s health and school nutrition-education efforts, school fundraising activities will not involve food or will use only foods that meet … nutrition and portion size standards for foods and beverages sold individually.” Schools are also encouraged to use activities that promote physical activity. While the policy regulates fundraisers during the school day, organizations such as booster clubs are free to sell items of their choosing outside of the school day.
Policy Spotlight: Classroom Celebrations and Parties
Nearly all of us have a fond memory of a classroom party from our childhood. Whether it involves bringing cupcakes to school to celebrate a birthday, sharing candy on Valentine’s Day, savoring a Thanksgiving feast or enjoying the tastes of a foreign culture in a high school language class, food plays an integral role in many schools.
The regulation of classroom celebrations and parties is perhaps one of the most contested aspects of local school wellness policies. For parents and students alike, there is a strong emotional attachment to sharing treats with friends and classmates at holidays and birthdays.
Mexico (Missouri) School District
Enrollment: 2,433
Policy Overview: This central Missouri school district implemented a fairly detailed policy that covers a variety of wellness related issues, including the cafeteria environment, parental involvement, and staff wellness. The nutrition guidelines stress the goals of the Missouri Eat Smart Guidelines.
Celebration Rules: Mandated
Mexico’s policy regarding classroom celebrations and parties allows some flexibility. Mexico does not ban parties outright, rather it asks schools to consider limiting the frequency of celebrations. The district is developing a list of healthy food and drink options that will be distributed to parents and room mothers. The wellness committee strongly recommends that “food and drink items be prepared and packaged commercially”, rather then home baked. The policy also requires that all celebrations be held following the scheduled lunch.
Policy Spotlight: Classroom Rewards
For years, teachers used pizza parties and candy treats as rewards for reaching classroom academic goals or incentives for good behavior. What makes a better motivator then a sweet treat? With the implementation of local wellness policies, many school districts are changing the items teachers are allowed to provide for the classroom. Instead of handing out candy, school districts are looking to classroom rewards as one way of creating a less food conscious culture.
Eugene (Oregon) School District
Enrollment: 18,476
Policy Overview: The Eugene School District implemented a detailed policy that covers a wide breadth of nutrition and physical education goals. Apart from creating nutrition standards and regulating physical activity, the policy strongly solicits community support and involvement with activities such creating school gardens and developing safe walking routes to schools.
Rewards Rules: Mandated
Eugene’s policy prohibits school staff from distributing foods of minimal nutritional value as a reward for academic performance or good behavior. The use of candy as an incentive is strongly discouraged. The policy states, “other food as an incentive, or reward … should be used judiciously, taking into consideration the nutritional value of the food being served and the frequency of use.”
Policy Spotlight: Physical Education
Physical education is back! Recently, many districts cut P.E., as they faced tight budgets and schedules, as well as pressure to focus on other classes. Now, many are adding P.E. to their Local School Wellness Policies. From a proscriptive approach to none at all, schools from coast to coast are determining their levels of responsibility for children’s physical education. With studies showing a sharp decrease in physical activity among children, could P.E. turn the tide? Here is one example:
Lynn (Massachusetts) Public Schools
Enrollment: 14,618
Policy Overview: The Lynn Public Schools policy states, ”A progressive and sequential approach to nutrition and physical activity promotes healthy weight maintenance and reduces the risk of many chronic diseases including hypertension, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and asthma.” The LSWP covers nutrition guidelines for school meals, competitive foods, cafeteria atmosphere, time for eating, food safety, nutrition education for both students and their families, physical activity, fundraisers, food in the classroom and staff wellness.
Physical Education Rules: Mandated.
The LSWP calls for the district to make physical activities available before, during and after school. Physical education is a required subject for grades K-10 and offered to grades 11-12. The LSWP explains, “Physical education classes should be taught by state-certified teachers in an environment where students learn, practice and are assessed on developmentally appropriate motor skills, social skills and knowledge in accordance with the MA Health Curriculum Frameworks. Physical education will include the instruction of individual activities, fitness, team activities and dance to encourage life-long physical activity.”
Not only must faculty teach physical education, they are encouraged to model healthy physical activity. In addition, the LSWP discourages all teachers from using physical activity as reward or punishment and from canceling recess to make up lost classroom time. Students should not be sedentary for more than two consecutive hours and should receive encouragement to stand and stretch. The LSWP also states that physical education information will be provided to students’ families.
Policy Spotlight: Staff Wellness
Not only are school districts focusing on student wellness and nutrition, many districts also are incorporating staff wellness into their policies. School administrators recognize the importance of healthy employees and the value of having staff serve as role models to the students. Many districts encourage their employees to be physical active through out the school day, as well as model healthy eating habits for their students.
Leon County (Florida) School District
Enrollment: 32,194
Policy Overview: Leon County Schools’ LSWP “encourages a holistic approach to staff and student wellness that is sensitive to individual and community needs.” The policy draws specific attention to nutrition standards and education, health education and life skills, physical activity and education, social and emotional well being, health services, family, school and community partnership, and staff wellness.
Staff Wellness: Proscriptive
LCSB’s policy on staff wellness is a multi-faceted plan involving the establishment of a staff wellness committee to assist in “identifying and supporting the health, safety, and wellbeing of site staff.” Additionally, each school is directed to “be in compliance with drug, alcohol and tobacco free policies, provide an accessible and productive work environment free from physical danger or emotional threat that is as safe as possible and consistent with applicable occupation and health laws, policies and rules, and to engage in daily physical activity during the workday as part of work breaks and/or lunch periods, before or after work hours in site sponsored programs or as part of discounted membership in local fitness facilities.”
Data based on districts that directly or indirectly addressed vending in policy.
Data based on districts that directly or indirectly addressed classroom celebrations in policy.
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