School districts receiving funds for the National School Lunch Program must create a "wellness policy" by June. This need creates an opportunity for family physicians to work with educational leaders in school-based efforts to combat childhood obesity.
The Academy -- through its fitness initiative Americans in Motion -- is a partner in a national organization, Action for Healthy Kids. FPs can join an Action for Healthy Kids state team and use the organization's Wellness Policy Tool to help write the policy for their district if one does not exist already. FPs also can help their state teams monitor the policy's implementation at a local level.
"Participating in the development of your school district's wellness policy is an important way to have a positive impact on the health of your young patients and your community," says Michelle May, M.D., of Phoenix, a member of the AIM Advisory panel.
