Establish a break from the school day, typically before lunch, that involves planned, inclusive, actively supervised games or activities; also called semi-structured, or structured recess
Policies & Programs
Policies and programs that can improve health
filtered by "Diet and Exercise" and "Create opportunities for active living"
20 results
Activity programs for older adults
Offer group educational, social, or physical activities that promote social interactions, regular attendance, and community involvement among older adults
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported
Health Factor(s):
Diet and Exercise, Family and Social Support
Bike & pedestrian master plans
Establish a framework to increase walking and biking trails and improve connectivity of non-auto paths and trails in a particular area
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence
Health Factor(s):
Housing and Transit, Diet and Exercise
Community fitness programs
Offer exercise classes (e.g., yoga, Tai Chi, cycling, etc.) and fitness program support in community centers, senior centers, fitness, and community wellness centers
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported
Health Factor(s):
Diet and Exercise
Complete Streets & streetscape design initiatives
Enhance streetscapes with greater sidewalk coverage and walkway connectivity, street crossing safety features, traffic calming measures, and other design elements
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported
Health Factor(s):
Housing and Transit, Diet and Exercise
Extracurricular activities for physical activity
Provide chances for kids and adolescents to be active and play sports at various skill levels via structured or unstructured after- and before- school athletic activities
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence
Health Factor(s):
Diet and Exercise
Green space & parks
Increase recreational green space through new parks or open spaces, renovation or enhancement of under-used recreation areas, rehabilitation of vacant lots, brownfields, etc.
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence
Health Factor(s):
Diet and Exercise
Homework or extra credit for PE class
Assign homework or extra credit activities for physical education (PE) or health classes that require students to be physically active outside of school
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence
Health Factor(s):
Diet and Exercise
Mixed-use development
Support a combination of land uses (e.g., residential, commercial, recreational) in development initiatives, often through zoning regulations or Smart Growth initiatives
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported
Health Factor(s):
Housing and Transit, Diet and Exercise
Multi-component workplace supports for active commuting
Provide physical infrastructure (e.g., bike parking or showers), educational or social support (e.g., walking groups), and financial incentives that support active commuting
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence
Health Factor(s):
Housing and Transit, Diet and Exercise
Open gym time
Offer time during the school day for children to play in the gym, often during lunch period; joint use agreements can expand open gym opportunities to community members outside school hours
Evidence Rating:
Expert Opinion
Health Factor(s):
Diet and Exercise
Open Streets
Allow community members to gather, socialize, walk, run, bike, skate, etc. by closing selected streets temporarily to motorized traffic; also called Ciclovía programs
Evidence Rating:
Expert Opinion
Health Factor(s):
Diet and Exercise, Family and Social Support
Physically active classrooms
Incorporate physical activity breaks, classroom energizers, or moving activities into academic lessons, usually for elementary students
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported
Health Factor(s):
Diet and Exercise
Places for physical activity
Modify local environments to support physical activity, increase access to new or existing facilities for physical activity, or build new facilities
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported
Health Factor(s):
Diet and Exercise
Point-of-decision prompts for physical activity
Place motivational signs on or near stairwells, elevators, and escalators that encourage individuals to use stairs
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported
Health Factor(s):
Diet and Exercise
Recreational sports leagues for adults
Offer opportunities for adults to play athletic games such as soccer, softball, kickball, basketball, etc. at beginner, intermediate, and competitive levels
Evidence Rating:
Expert Opinion
Health Factor(s):
Diet and Exercise
Safe Routes to Schools
Promote walking and biking to school through education, incentives, and environmental changes; often called SRTS
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported
Health Factor(s):
Housing and Transit, Diet and Exercise
Shared use agreements
Create contracts that support community access to existing facilities (e.g., schools, churches, etc.) before or after business hours; also called joint use, open use, or community use agreements
Evidence Rating:
Some Evidence
Health Factor(s):
Diet and Exercise
Walking school buses
Arrange active transportation with a fixed route, designated stops, and pick up times when children can walk to school with adult chaperones
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported
Health Factor(s):
Housing and Transit, Diet and Exercise
Zoning regulations for land use policy
Use zoning regulations to address aesthetics and safety of the physical environment, street continuity and connectivity, residential density and proximity to businesses, schools, and recreation, etc.
Evidence Rating:
Scientifically Supported
Health Factor(s):
Housing and Transit, Diet and Exercise