Research has shown that the school environment has a vital role in shaping children’s health behaviors. Children in the United States are becoming more overweight and obese, putting them at risk for serious health concerns such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and elevated cholesterol and blood pressure levels. In addition to the risk of obesity-related health concerns, poor food choices could lead to other health concerns, like osteoporosis from inadequate calcium intake.

The rise in obesity over the past 2-3 decades has been accompanied by an increase in the number of alternative food options available on school campuses. These are foods that are obtained from a variety of sources, including à la carte service in the school cafeteria, school stores and snack bars, and vending machines, and which are vying with the traditional breakfast and lunch offered through federally reimbursable school nutrition programs. Children spend the majority of their day at school, often staying for after-school activities; the foods and beverages available during and after school can contribute a number of calories to their total daily consumption.

In response to growing concerns over obesity, national attention has focused on the need to establish school nutrition standards and limit access to competitive foods. Over the past few years, school nutrition policy initiatives have been put into place at federal, state, and local levels. Two important federal initiatives have enhanced school health-related policy efforts. First, in 1994, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) developed the Coordinated School Health Program, comprised of eight interactive components to improve students’ health. The second initiative was the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, passed in 2004, which required that local education agencies develop a wellness policy for schools to address the problem of childhood obesity by 2006.

Boulder Valley School District has responded with an ongoing effort to address these critical issues. Beginning in 2003, a Nutrition Task Force began looking at ways to improve the nutritional value of foods available to students. In 2004, the Middle Level Healthy Food Guidelines were implemented. In 2005, BVSD passed a Local Wellness Policy. This policy recommends that the district

• provide a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing lifelong wellness behaviors.
• support and promote proper dietary habits contributing to students’ health status and academic performance.
• provide students with opportunities to engage in physical activity.

Beginning in the fall of 2006, the Nutrition Task Force continued its efforts by looking at expanding the Middle Level Healthy Food Guidelines to all schools in BVSD as well as implementing guidelines for foods and beverages in vending machines.