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Program Overview

The Division of Public and Behavioral Health is committed to advancing the health of Nevada's youth through comprehensive, evidence based practices to improve nutrition, physical activity, physical education and health education.  

Burden

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over the past 20 years, in the United States, there has been an alarming increase in obesity rates among children and adults. Nationally, approximately 17 percent of children (ages 2­­­–19 years) are obese.  In the State of Nevada:

Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in Nevada's Schools

In 2014, the Nevada School Wellness Policy was revised to meet updated nutrition and physical activity standards.  Every Nevada school that participates in the United Stated Department of Agriculture's (USDA) school breakfast or lunch program must abide by the the Smart Snack Nutrition Standards detailed in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Nevada also chose to include the following daily physical activity requirements in its School Wellness Policy: 

• Students must be provided the opportunity for 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day
• Schools may NOT withhold physical activity opportunities as punishments.

All Nevada school districts are required to create a local school wellness policy that meets the minimum requirements outlined in the Nevada School Wellness Policy.  Additionally, all districts must have a School Wellness Coordinator and Advisory Team who are responsible for the oversight and enforcement of the improved nutrition and physical activity.  Read Nevada's 2015 School Wellness Assessment to learn more about current physical activity and nutrition practices throughout the state.     

Whole School, Whole Child, Whole Community

Schools are one of the most efficient systems for reaching children and youth to provide health services and programs, as approximately 95 percent of all U.S. children and youth attend school. At the same time, integrating health services and programs more deeply into the day-to-day life of schools and students represents an untapped tool for raising academic achievement and improving learning.

Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program

The Centers for Disease Control and Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) developed a program to assist schools implement a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP). Under the guidance of CSPAP, schools are able to provide a variety of school-based physical activities that enable all students to participate in 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical through physical education, physical activity during school, physical activity before and after school, staff involvement, and family and community engagement.