Infographic: Evidence-based Strategies for School Nutrition and Physical Activity
![CDC-HSB JOSH Infographic_081023_banner Banner Image - Transforming Evidence Into Action: A Collection of Strategies for School Nutrition and Physical Activity](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/CDC-HSB-JOSH-Infographic_081023_banner-large.png?_=36987)
Schools can create supportive environments for eating healthy and being physically active by teaching students about healthy behaviors, modeling those behaviors, and giving them opportunities to practice these behaviors. This review highlights evidence-based nutrition and physical activity strategies to advance health equity for all students in all schools.
This review focused on school-based PA and nutrition programs across the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model that promote positive health behaviors, positive health and educational outcomes, and greater academic achievement.
![CDC-HSB JOSH Infographic_081023_methods_banner methods banner image](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/CDC-HSB-JOSH-Infographic_081023_methods_banner-large.png?_=37016)
![purple_clipboard purple clipboard image](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/purple_clipboard-thumbnail.png?_=75546)
Included over 300 articles in systematic reviews.
![blue_books books](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/blue_books-thumbnail.png?_=75490)
Published 10 articles in the Journal of School Health.
![orange_list orange list](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/orange_list-thumbnail.png?_=75598)
Articles reviewed were published between 2010-2021.
![green_checklist green checklist](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/green_checklist-thumbnail.png?_=75666)
Analysis included student and staff nutrition and physical activity knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors as outcomes.
![CDC-HSB JOSH Infographic_081023_effective_strategies_banner effective strategies banner](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/CDC-HSB-JOSH-Infographic_081023_effective_strategies_banner-large.png?_=36994)
![gears gears](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/gears-thumbnail.png?_=48688)
Coordinated and multicomponent approaches that involve 2 or more WSCC components
![meditate meditate](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/meditate-thumbnail.png?_=26075)
Yoga and mindfulness practices in the classroom
![runners runners](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/runners-thumbnail.png?_=48706)
School-level policies for physical education, physical activity, and recess
![school school](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/school-thumbnail.png?_=48708)
Physical environment changes to promote physical activity, prosocial play, and healthy diets
![plate plate](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/plate-thumbnail.png?_=48698)
Nutrition standards for school meals, taste tests, pre-sliced fruit, and recess before lunch
![gardening gardening](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/gardening-thumbnail.png?_=48840)
Hands-on, skills-based, and interactive health education
![students students](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/students-thumbnail.png?_=48710)
Professional development on skills, materials, curricula, or instructional practices to adopt the effective strategies
![clock clock](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/clock-thumbnail.png?_=48836)
Physical activity and nutrition standards for out-of-school time programs
![CDC-HSB JOSH Infographic_081023_research_gaps_banner research gaps banner image](/https/www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/images/strategies/CDC-HSB-JOSH-Infographic_081023_research_gaps_banner-large.png?_=37028)
Based on our review, more evidence is needed to learn about the barriers to cultivating a healthy school environment for all and the strategies to overcome those barriers for students and staff who:
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are in communities with limited resources. |
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are affected by systemic inequities. |
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have less access to physical activity and nutrition programs and services. |
To access the Journal of School Health Special Issue, visit https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/17461561/93/9.