Question

• Evaluate the policy for completeness and clarity versus ambiguity according to the USDA elements discussed at Local School Wellness Policy Process - Child Nutrition Sharing Site (theicn.org):

• ○ Nutrition education

• ○ Nutrition promotion

• ○ Physical activity

• ○ All foods available on the school campus/property

• ○ Other school-based activities

• ○ Identify 3 areas for improvement/clarification in the policy and provide specific recommendations. If the policy is considered strong, and weaknesses are not observed, students should instead identify 3 areas of strength and provide rationale.

• ○ Consider the usefulness and practicality of the school wellness policy that was evaluated. Does the policy meet the intentions of the legislation requiring school wellness policies? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Local wellness policy is a document which is written and that guides a School Food Authority to provide school environment that promotes students health,well being, and ability to learn.It is an essential tool for parents,local educational agencies and school districts in promoting student wellness,preventing and reducing the childhood obesity and enhancing the assurance that school meal nutrition guidelines meet the minimum federal school meal standards.This is aimed to evaluate how district wellness policies alligned to practice for physical activity implementation in 40 schools with high obesity rates.

The three areas were the improvement is needed is first on in physical activity because health of our younger generation is at risk .To address the growing prevelance of obesity in children ,a priority of healthy people 2020 is to increase physical activity in childrens and adolescents.The health benefits of physical activity in childrens and adolescents have been well documented and regular physical activity has been positively associated with improved health and behavioural outcomes including reducing the risk of chronic disease,weight control and improved the cognittion.And secondly integrating the OST programme guildelines with school wellness policy and involving OST staff in school wellness planning and implementation process will extend the reach of wellness policy to a large proportion of children .Third one is following guidelines provided before school and after school programming such as out of school hour childcare and programmes will provide and encourage verbally and through the provision of space,equipment and activites that daily periods of moderate to vigorous physical activity for all participants. Snack served during the school day or in after school care or enrichment programme will make a positive contribution to childrens diet and heallth. School shall work with recreation agencies and other community organisation to coordinate and enhance the oppurtunities available to students and staffs for physical activity during their out pf school time.

The usefull ness and practality for OST programmes with local wellness policy and that was adreesing the physical activity and nutrition components of OST programme in local school wellness policies can effectively reach many children,it is important to recognise that school wellness policy donot reach children in all OST settings. Mnay OST programme are held in community ,libraries,or other non school facilities. Although school districts can do work in off site OST programme to develop oppurtunities for nutritious food and active play. There can be significant advantage for OST programme is not affiliated with public schools to allign themselves with local wellness policy .After school and health oppurtunity for advocacy to encourage after school programme to become involved in school wellness policy efforts to advance a holistic approach to childhood obesity prevention in their communities and become part of infrastucture of students health promotion activities.The focus on strengthening OST programme link to school wellness policy could dilute other efforts that are designed to improve access to healthy food and physical activity in OST programme for low income children. Efforts to strengthen federal funded snack and meal program guidelines are also very important and stand to reach high proportion of disadvantaged children because of thae eligibily requirement for these programme are need based.

As such holistic approach that incorporates multiple strategies my be most effective.Identifying wellness policy leadership of one or more school official who have the authority and responsibility to ensure each school complies with policy. All these must assess at leat once three years on the extend to which the school are in compliance with the district policy,the extent to which the local wellness policy compares to model school wellness policy and the progress made in attaining the goals of the local wellness policy. These must make this assessment available to thr public.