Physical Activity at School

RWJF Priority: Increase the time, intensity and duration of physical activity during the school day and out-of-school programs

Schools play a critical role in helping children lead active, healthy lives. By requiring active participation in daily physical education classes, providing activity breaks throughout the day, and supporting walking and bicycling to school, schools can increase students’ physical activity. After-school programs located in schools, parks and recreational centers also can develop innovative ways to help children be active.

The resources below, from RWJF grantees and partners, highlight recent efforts to examine and develop programs and policies that help children be active before, during and after the school day.

Childhood Obesity Policy Priorities

Featured

Kids Get Moving with Playworks

During recess, students at schools participating in the Playworks program engaged more physical activity that was, on average, more intense.

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From the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids

Creating a Healthy Place for Kids in Trenton, NJ

"A long time coming." The New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids helped make Monument Elementary School in Trenton a healthier place for students by leading efforts to build a new playground and install a salad bar in the cafeteria.

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From Active Living Research

Study: P.E. Could Mean 23 More Minutes of Physical Activity for Kids

Requiring daily physical education in school could help young people be active for 23 minutes per day, which is more than a third of the total amount of daily physical activity experts recommend for young people.

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From Active Living Research

Do Short Physical Activity Breaks in Classrooms Work?

Providing short physical activity breaks during the school day can increase physical activity in students, help improve on-task behavior, and improve some measures of health.

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From the Alliance for a Healthier Generation

Terence C. Reilly School No. 7: Healthy Schools Program Gold National Recognition Award Winner

Principal Jennifer Cedeno chalks up her students' attention spans—and their academic performance—to an innovative physical activity and nutrition program.

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From Active Living Research

Policies and Standards for Promoting Physical Activity in After-School Programs

After-school programs can contribute to children’s overall daily physical activity, but their potential impact is far from being realized. This brief examines offers recommendations for changing standards and policies to better promote physical activity in after-school programs.

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From the Safe Routes to School National Program

Safe Routes to School: Helping Communities Save Lives and Dollars

By getting more children to walk and bicycle to school, Safe Routes to School initiatives can reduce traffic congestion around schools and increase children's physical activity levels.

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Health Policy Snapshot

Do Students Who Are More Active Do Better in School?

Physical activity is linked to cognitive and behavioral benefits for students, such as improved concentration, better school attendance, and fewer classroom disruptions.

Read the brief

More Research and Resources on Physical Activity at School

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A Poll About Children and Weight

February 25, 2013 | Survey/Poll

This poll provides new insights into the epidemic of childhood obesity and the challenges families face between school and sleep.

Senate Bill 42

September 1, 2009 | Journal Article

Texas Senate Bill 42 (SB42), enacted in 2005, directed the state's middle schools to strengthen institutional responsibility for the health of their students. This study assessed whether a representative sample of middles schools were adhering to SB42.

West Virginia Healthy Lifestyles Act of 2005

February 10, 2009 | Evaluation

In 2005, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III signed into law House Bill 2816--the Healthy Lifestyles Act--to help address the state's obesity epidemic. The evaluation was conducted in 2007 by a team from West Virginia University Health Sciences Center and was supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Competitive Beverage and Food Guidelines

October 1, 2012 | Journal Article

The food and beverages served in elementary school meal programs through the United States Department of Agriculture school meal program must meet certain federal nutrition standards. However, many schools also sell food through à la carte lines and ...

2003 Report to the Nation on how Schools are Responding to Childhood Obesity Epidemic

November 1, 2004 | Program Result Report

Pyramid Communications, a Seattle-based strategic public affairs organization, produced a report for RWJF on school-based physical activity and healthy eating programs to help curb the nation's childhood obesity epidemic.

Targeting Overweight Kids and Their Parents in Vineland, N.J.

November 4, 2011 | Program Result Report

South Jersey Healthcare implemented Success Through Exercise, Physical Fitness and Sharing Information for Kids, a 12-week course that helps overweight children and their parents in low-income and minority communities combat obesity.

Healthy Schools for Healthy Kids

January 1, 2003 | Report

In response to dramatic and increasing national trends of childhood obesity, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) retained Pyramid Communications to identify opportunities for increasing children's physical activity and healthy eating in school ...

Research Finds Lack of Funding and Competing Priorities Affect Schools' Ability to Offer Healthy Food and Fitness to Students

October 1, 2009 | Program Result Report

Staff at the California School Boards Association and California Project LEAN supported efforts by key stakeholders nationwide to develop, implement and evaluate school wellness policies.

Mississippi Healthy Summit Leads to Increased Physical Activity Requirements in Schools

July 14, 2008 | Program Result Report

The state of Mississippi convened the Healthy Mississippi Summit, June 15, 2006, in Jackson, Miss., to focus attention on the primary causes of chronic diseases in Mississippi and to promote a statewide approach to promoting healthy lifestyles.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Drafts Guidelines for Schools to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

June 1, 2007 | Program Result Report

The CDC conducted a review of the scientific literature and produced evidence-based guidelines for school health programs to promote healthy eating and physical activity to prevent obesity among children.