Guidelines For Comprehensive Programs To Promote Healthy Eating And Physical Activity

Poor diet and inadequate physical activity cause more than 300,000 deaths each year in America and are major contributors to disabilities that arise from diabetes, obesity and strokes. This guide explains how to create or improve nutrition, physical activity and obesity programmes.

During the last 3 decades, the prevalence of obesity has tripled among persons aged 6-19 years. Multiple chronic disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and high blood glucose levels are related to obesity. Schools have a responsibility to help prevent obesity and promote physical activity and healthy eating through policies, practices, and supportive environments. This report describes school health guidelines for promoting healthy eating and physical activity, including coordination of school policies and practices; supportive environments; school nutrition services; physical education and physical activity programs; health education; health, mental health, and social services; family and community involvement; school employee wellness; and professional development for school staff members. These guidelines, developed in collaboration with specialists from universities and from national, federal, state, local, and voluntary agencies and organizations, are based on an in-depth review of research, theory, and best practices in healthy eating and physical activity promotion in school health, public health, and education. Because every guideline might not be appropriate or feasible for every school to implement, individual schools should determine which guidelines have the highest priority based on the needs of the school and available resources.

Continuing advances in the science of nutrition and the study of infectious disease require that nutritionists be skilled in the behavioral sciences and social marketing in order to impact the preventable etiologies of obesity and chronic diseases. Add to that a new understanding of the social and environmental effects on health and illness that will further require nutritionists to expand their expertise and assume new roles in the generation of public policy affecting all areas of society. This important new book covers all aspects of developing and delivering nutrition related services in the community. Grounded in the science of nutrition, it offers simple, practical guidance and tools for nutritionists--whether working in clinical or public health venues--to develop and implement effective public nutrition programs. Each chapter begins with reader objectives and ends with "Points to Ponder" and a listing of helpful websites.

This tool can help a school to assess its physical activity and nutrition policies and programs based on national standards and guidelines.

This second edition of a bestseller, Nutrition in Public Health: Principles, Policies, and Practice focuses on the role of the federal government in determining nutrition policy and influencing practice. Beginning with an overview of public health principles, the book examines the application of nutritional policy to dietary guidance, health promotion, and the practice of public health nutrition. Highlights of New Coverage in the Second Edition: Legislation such as Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010; Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill); and proposals for the next Farm Bill Discussions of study designs, the SEED-SCALE model for health promotion, health disparities and health equity, worksite wellness, Let’s Move!, and other initiatives Impact of the ACA on menu labeling policies, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Act, and legislation regarding breastfeeding Examination of health disparities, demographic trends, and health literacy; sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression; and the role of social media in tailored health communications 2010 Dietary Guidelines with analysis of potential upcoming changes in 2015 Dietary Guidelines, Healthy Eating Index 2010, MyPlate, and Harvard Healthy Eating Plate Best Bones Forever! Campaign, text messaging for tailored health communication, and 4 Day Throw Away study assessing the use of social media for education regarding food safety The book explores the importance of nutrition as a component of the broad field of public health. The authors review the principles of public health nutrition, examining nutritional epidemiology and programs that deal with health disparities, weight control challenges, and the needs of special populations. The text addresses the practice of public health nutrition through tools for conducting a food and nutrition assessment of a community, designing and carrying out a social marketing campaign, and developing large and small grant proposals. Nutrition in Public Health provides an integrated view of nutrition needs and the policies and political mechanisms that affect the delivery of quality food and nutrition services. It gives students a thorough understanding of the federal government’s role in determining nutrition policy and influencing practice.