Preventing Childhood Obesity in Early Care and Education, by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association and the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education, is the new set of evidence-based national standards for best practices in nutrition, physical activity and screen time in early care and education programs.

This document provides up to date, evidence-based, practical Quality Standards for providing children with healthy food, beverages and physical activity in out-of-school time (OST). The charge to this project, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, was to recommend healthy eating and physical activity (HEPA) standards that foster the best possible nutrition and physical activity outcomes for children in grades K-12 attending OST programs.

The U.S. National Physical Activity Plan has a vision: One day, all Americans will be physically active and they will live, work, and play in environments that facilitate regular physical activity. The Plan aims to create a national culture that supports physically active lifestyles. Its ultimate purpose is to improve health, prevent disease and disability, and enhance quality of life.

Nutrition and wellness guidelines for child care professionals from the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity. 

Guidance from the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) on developing comprehensive, integrated policy aimed at promoting lifelong healthy eating among students and school staff. The sample policy addresses all aspects of the school setting that influence a person’s eating patterns.

This guide, produced by the Food Research and Action Center, is designed to help schools respond to the special nutrition concerns of low-income students in their wellness policies. It is intended for anyone who wants to be an active participant in the process of developing a wellness policy – such as a teacher or school staff person, school administrator, nutritionist, parent, student, health professional or community member.

An Action for Healthy Kids research project identified a number of critical barriers that prevent youth from making better food choices, particularly from the Food Groups to Encourage. In this guide, nutrition, health and public health professionals share strategies and approaches that they are using to combat these barriers.

The framework outlines 4-H’s goals, objectives, strategies, tactics, outcomes and indicators in healthy living in seven key areas: program development and design, professional development, curriculum, evaluation and research, marketing and communications, funding, and partnerships and collaborations.

A review of individual nutrition and physical activity requirements for child care licensing, listed alphabetically by state, from the National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center.

Best practices and policies in child care nutrition and physical activity for creating a healthy child care environment, published by the Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Health/Nutrition, Family Services and Adult Education, in June 2010.

Schools can help promote a healthy learning environment by using nonfood rewards. Suggestions from the Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Health and Nutrition Services and Child/Family/School Partnerships.

The Committee on Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools outlines their purpose of developing nutritional standards, based on their review of nutrition science, for foods provided in school. Their 13 standards apply to both during-school and after-school settings.

Provided by the Department of Education, this curriculum framework outlines the guidelines for learning, teaching, and assessing health in Massachusetts’s public school system. Aimed at enhancing physical, social & emotional, personal & community health and safety and prevention, the framework includes charts and tables alongside its text to ensure proper application of the curriculum.

Defines afterschool snacks and provides explanations for their benefits and different types. The fact sheet provides information on eligibility of a program for receiving afterschool snacks and how to apply.

Provides criteria for developing a healthier school environment.

This framework outlines the ways schools can create healthier environments. The Healthy Schools Programs recognizes through awards schools that reach particular healthy living and physical activity criteria. This document provides a criteria checklist for schools to determine whether they’re meeting certain policies, goals, and guidelines.

Standards created by Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina for after-school physical activity programs.

This document focuses on physical activity standards for North Carolina after-school programs. Outlining the basic facts and benefits of physical activity, this document provides programs with the information necessary for establishing successful after-school physical activity programs.

Links to California After School Physical Activity guidelines and information.