Healthier Middle Schools

Every parent can help.

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Your child needs your 

involvement at home 

and school.

At home you do what you can to 

make sure your kids eat healthier and 

stay active. But since they spend so 

much of their day in middle school, 

your influence is needed there, too. 

Parents are key to making middle 

schools healthier. Together we can 

influence:

Cafeteria menus

Vending machine choices

Fundraiser options

Physical activity time during 

and after school

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There is power 

in numbers.

The USDA is reaching out not only 

to you but also to middle school 

teachers, school principals, food service managers, and students. Why? 

Because in schools where healthier 

change has successfully been made, 

people from all of these groups 

worked together to make it happen.

Physical activity and healthier 

foods can help your kids do 

better in school.

As almost any teacher will tell you, healthy foods 

and regular physical activity can make a positive 

difference in the classroom.1,2,3,4,5 They may help 

kids to:

Concentrate better

Perform at their best

Have better attendance

Parents 

have the 

power.

Some of the best ideas are on the back of this 

flyer, along with a web address where you 

can find ready-to-use materials to get started.

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1. Florence MD, Asbridge M, Veugelers PJ. Diet quality and academic performance. J Sch Health. 2008; 78:209-215.

2. Fu ML, Cheng L, Tu SH, Pan WH. Association between unhealthful eating patterns and unfavorable overall school performance in children. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007; 107:1935-1943. 

3. Sigfúsdóttir ID, Kristjánsson AL, Allegrante JP. Health behaviour and academic achievement in Icelandic school children. Health Educ Res. 2007; 22:70-80. 

4. Kim HY, Frongillo EA, Han SS, Oh SY, Kim WK, Jang YA, Won HS, Lee HS, Kim SH. Academic performance of Korean children is associated with dietary behaviours and physical status. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2003; 12:186-192.

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The association between school based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2010.
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Middle schools get healthier 

when parents use their power.

Start a 

conversation.

Let people at school know this issue

is important to you. Talk with the principal, your 

child’s favorite teacher, or other parents. Ask who 

is working on ways to improve food or physical 

activity options and how you can help.

Let your kids 

see you making 

healthier choices.

Middle school kids still need their parents to 

show them the way. Be their role model for 

healthy foods and physical activity at home 

and school. Encourage them all you can. 

Sign up. Join in.

Volunteer for a project or join 

a parent’s committee on wellness. 

Get on the agenda at the next parent’s 

association meeting. Or start a parent’s 

group online.

Make fundraisers 

healthier.

Instead of the usual candy and 

dessert foods, how about selling fresh fruit or 

holding a car wash or walkathon? Healthier 

choices can work just as well and are better 

for everybody. 

Start small and work with others.

The important thing is to get something going now. Even 

small changes can make a healthy difference.

Get started today at 

TeamNutrition.usda.gov.

You’ll find ready-to-use tools, like conversation starters 

and checklists. You’ll also see what other middle school 

parents are doing to make their schools healthier. 

Thanks for your help.

TeamNutrition@fns.usda.gov TeamNutrition.usda.gov USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

November 2011, FNS-435