Iowa

Improving Nutrition, Physical Education, and Physical Activity in Iowa Schools
Mini-grants to support school wellness activities and goals were awarded to 12 schools in six school districts with about 56,400 students.

 

Exercising as a Class

The Iowa Department of Public Health, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Education, is providing professional development and technical assistance to schools to strengthen school nutrition, physical education, and physical activity policies and practices. The six priority school districts expressed interest in strengthening school health and wellness, including intent to apply for mini-grants through the HealthierUS School ChallengeExternal certification initiative at the start of the project.

Impact

As a result of the mini-grants, schools have increased student access to water. One school reports increased instructional time for physical education by up to 5 minutes per day after the school added a water filling station close to the school gym.

School nutrition, physical education, and physical activity policies and practices were strengthened in 12 schools in six school districts with about 56,400 students.

This program was supported by CDC’s State Public Health Actions to Prevent and Control Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity, and Associated Risk Factors and Promote School Health cooperative agreement (DP13-1305).