Nutrition and Fitness

Active kids learn better. When students get more time for health and physical education, they do better physically, mentally and emotionally. Numerous scientific reviews have documented that school health programs can have a positive effect on academic outcomes, as well as health risk behaviors and health outcomes. The Department of Health works in school districts located in high need communities to improve the capacity for keeping children physically active and offering nutritious meal choices throughout the school day.

School health strategies are designed to:

• Strengthen state and local school wellness policies and facilitate policy implementation and monitoring in every school through strong school wellness teams as directed by the USDA
• Provide quality physical education through curriculum-based programs that teach skills for maintaining an active lifestyle and provides time for physical activity
• Provide students with additional opportunities for physical activity by including recess, classroom activity breaks and before- and after-school programs

The Department of Health helps schools to reach these goals by funding the New Jersey State Alliance of the YMCA’s (Y Alliance) to implement Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAP) and improved school nutrition environments. This work is done primarily through School Wellness Teams. School Wellness Teams assess school needs, then develop and implement action plans engaging all students, faculty, staff and students' families in the promotion of school-wide environmental and policy changes. 

School Wellness Teams are the impetus to assess school needs using the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s healthy schools assessment and action plan tool, to develop and implement action plans engaging all students, school faculty and staff, and families in the promotion of school-wide environmental and policy changes.

The Department of Health funds New Jersey Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NJAHPERD) to conduct professional development sessions at statewide and regional meetings for all of the state’s school districts (K-12), with a focus on educating school staff to create school environments that provide healthy nutrition choices and opportunities for physical activity throughout the day, including quality physical education. 

Additionally, the Department of Health funds Health Corps, an organization that places a school-based youth coordinator in selected high need high schools to addresses nutrition, physical activity and healthy lifestyles with students, teachers and the external school community.  Coordinators mentor students in health, fitness and mental resilience, create and support School Wellness Teams, implement health promotion events, undertake environmental projects such as Farm to School and school gardens, and partner with other non-profits, community and sports teams.

New Jersey Safe Routes to School, a federal, state and local effort to improve the health and well-being of children by enabling children to walk and bicycle to school by developing a culture where walking and biking is a safer, more appealing daily mode of transportation.

New Jersey SNAP-Ed is a Cooperative Extension Program provides programs in schools and communities aimed at improving nutrition and increasing physical activity through evidence-based nutrition education