Physical Activity and Nutrition

Information for Parents

Obesity and overweight can begin early in life. Nearly half of all New York City elementary schoolchildren and Head Start children are not at a healthy weight. Many serious health problems are related to being overweight or obese in childhood, such as asthma, depression, diabetes, and heart disease.

Ensuring that your children are at a healthy weight involves eating healthy and being active—at home AND in school. Here's what the New York City
Health Department is doing to support parents:

• Learn about New York State's Eat Well Play Hard program.



• Learn about Nutrition and Physical Activity Requirements in Group Child Care Centers.



• Learn about School-based Nutrition Education.



• Learn about Child Care-based Nutrition Education.



• Learn about the Move-to-Improve program.



• Learn about the Healthy High Schools initiative.