Research has revealed that improving student health attributes to an increase in students’ capacity to learn reduction in absenteeism, and improvement in physical fitness and mental alertness. All schools in Tennessee use a self-assessment and planning guide developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that enables them to identify strengths and weaknesses of each school’s health promotion policies and programs; develop an action plan for improving student health, and involve teachers, parents, students, and the community in improving school services.

• Poor eating habits
• Physical inactivity
• Tobacco use
• Behaviors that result in intentional or unintentional injury
• Abuse of alcohol and other drugs
• Sexual behaviors that result in HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases, or unintended pregnancy

Healthy eating and regular physical activity help young people stay in shape, feel good, do their best at school, and avoid developing risk factors that can eventually lead to heart disease and cancer.

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