Texas kids should be able to graduate high school and focus on moving Texas forward; not worrying about health problems they developed along the way. Texas school children need the tools and education necessary to be responsible for their future health and wellbeing. Teachers, administrators, and legislators all know that a healthy child is a better learner. Research shows that physically fit children become fit adults and are more likely to be better parents, citizens, employees, and entrepreneurs.

The Partnership supports:

• Improvements to school nutrition and the overall food environment in schools.
• Evidence-based efforts that seek to increase the fitness of Texas school children.
• Statewide monitoring of student fitness and obesity.
• Implementation and support of evidence-based coordinated school health programs in all Texas public schools.
• Standards and policies that increase nutrition and physical activity in the early childcare environment

Many Texans are living in environments that heighten their risk of obesity. Doctors and researchers say every community has features that either support physical fitness and healthy eating or undermine those goals. The benefits of these healthy environments extend to everyone in a community. Yet in the places with persistent barriers to good health—where access to nutritious food is limited, and where options for exercise remain inconvenient or unsafe—obesity has become a serious problem.

The Partnership supports:

• Increased physical activity opportunities and accessibility in every community. Design streets, schools and communities to encourage physical activity
• Promote the adoption of food service guidelines and nutrition standards in priority settings (early care, education, workplaces, communities)
• Increased access to affordable healthy food and beverages in every community.
• Standards and policies that increase nutrition and physical activity in the community and worksites.
• Policies and programs from the Department of State Health
• Services to prevent and treat chronic disease.
• Increase access to breastfeeding friendly environments