Healthy School Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment
In 2003,
The intended outcome of this
policy and environmental change was to have the State Legislature commit to the
importance of healthy choices in schools and to promote change in local
schools. The resolution was sent to all
school districts, and the Office of Public Instruction School Nutrition
Programs followed up with schools to provide more explicit guidance on steps to
take to create a healthy school nutrition and physical activity environment.
Policy/Environmental Change Initiation
The resolution was the result
of a grassroots effort and was spearheaded by the Public Policy Committee, a
group of dietitians who are members of the Montana Dietetic Association
(MDA). Many of these dietitians are in
public health-related fields, and some work directly with schools. MDA has had previous success with passage of
one-time start-up funds for school breakfast programs and the WIC Farmers’
Market Nutrition Program. MDA was
responsible for drafting the resolution, identifying a sponsor, funding a
part-time lobbyist, recruiting supporters, and holding a Legislator Day to create
awareness of the resolution.
Public Health Agency Roles
The state health department
was involved via a dietitian from the Montana Cardiovascular Health Program,
who is a member of the Public Policy Committee and the State Advisory Council
on Food and Nutrition. This dietitian
provided input when the resolution was drafted and helped recruit the MDA
lobbyist. Because of rules prohibiting
State employees from lobbying, she did not actively contact legislators
regarding the resolution or testify during hearings.
Major Partners and Official Support
Besides the MDA dietitians,
the major partners supporting the resolution included: Senator Don Ryan of Great Falls, who
sponsored the bill; the Montana School Board Association; the State Advisory
Council on Food and Nutrition, which is an advisory council of the state health
department; the state department of education (Office of Public Instruction);
and the Montana Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and
Dance.
Results from the Policy/Environmental Change
Office of Public Instruction
is tracking the outcomes of this policy change.
For example, a statewide survey is being conducted with school
principals and school food service program managers to assess the changes that
have occurred in their schools and on a district-wide basis in the area of
school nutrition and physical activity policies and procedures.
Opposition
There was not strong
opposition to the healthy school nutrition and physical activity environment
resolution. The resolution passed the
Senate unanimously then passed the House by a vote of 72 to 26. We did not need to respond to any
opposition. The whole process was a very
positive experience.
Lessons Learned
The key lessons learned from
this policy and environmental change are that statewide policy resolutions can
provide the motivation and impetus to school communities to make positive
changes in their school environments to better promote health. As more schools
make positive changes and these changes are shared with other school districts,
this movement continues to strengthen, and additional partners are brought into
the process to reinforce positive eating and physical activity habits for
school-aged children in
Submitted By
Crystelle Fogle,
Health Services Specialist,
Cardiovascular Health Program
Montana Department of Public
Health and Human Services
(406) 947-2344
Fax: (406) 444-7465
For Further Information Contact:
Christine Emerson, MS, RD
Director, School Nutrition
Programs
Office of Public Instruction
PO Box 202501
Helena MT 59620
(406) 444-2502 phone
(406) 444-2955 fax