Statement from Joe Thompson, MD, MPH,
Director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity on the release of: School Policies and Practices to Improve Health and Prevent Obesity: National Elementary School Survey Results

“We have received a sobering call to action from the most recent findings in Bridging the Gap’s study on how wellness policies and nutrition standards are not being implemented in schools. The report explicitly demonstrates how we are failing America’s children, leaving them vulnerable to the epidemic of childhood obesity.

“Even with an increased emphasis on wellness policies and obesity prevention, millions of elementary school children continue to have access to junk food and soda, and have limited opportunities to be physically activity. These findings from the report underscore the urgent need to strengthen policies that promote a healthy school environment and prove, yet again, the need for Congress to reauthorize important child nutrition programs and incorporate new standards.” 

School Policies and Practices to Improve Health and Prevent Obesity: National Elementary School Survey Results reviews nutrition, physical activity, and obesity prevention practices, and surveys elementary school administrators over a two-year period. The study found that many schools have not implemented the required wellness policy provisions from the Child Nutrition and WIC Authorization Act of 2004.

Along with its findings, the study highlights available opportunities to change these policies and practices to support better school nutrition and physical activity. All of the report results and recommendations support the RWJF Center’s position that policy change is necessary to improve the food and physical activity environments of schools.

To view the full report click here.

Read the RWJF Center’s one-page fact sheet on the Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization.