WHEREAS

children need access to healthy foods and opportunities to be physically active in order to grow, learn and thrive; and

WHEREAS

good health fosters student attendance and education; and

obesity is increasing rapidly in the United States, affecting adults and children of all races, ethnicities, and income levels; and

WHEREAS

the prevalence of overweight children aged 6-11 has more than doubled in the last 20 years and the number of overweight adolescents aged 12-19 has more than tripled in that same time; and

WHEREAS

overweight children and adolescents are more likely than not to remain overweight, become obese adults, and develop related chronic illnesses; and

WHEREAS

reversing the obesity epidemic among children will require a long-term, well-coordinated approach to reach young people where they live, learn, and play; and

WHEREAS

schools can effectively partner with other public, non-profit, and private sector organizations in an effort to re-shape social and physical environments and provide information and practical strategies to help children and adults adopt more healthy lifestyles; and

WHEREAS

the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 established a new requirement that all school districts with a Federally-funded school meals program develop and implement wellness policies that address nutrition and physical activity no later than the beginning of the 2006 – 2007 school year;