Fit Kids

Westchester County’s Fit Kids program is a health education program which was designed to create healthy school environments. Fit Kids partners with local schools to help administrators create healthy environments that promote physical activity and nutrition. The program facilitates the addition of health education and health promotion into the daily school routine by providing creative and fun ideas to inspire and engage students. Fit Kids provides an extensive resource guide which contains information on how to (1) improve the quality of food offered in school cafeterias; (2) create opportunities for increased physical activity at school; and (3) establish school policies supporting good nutrition and physical activity. The program also provides support and direction to the school’s efforts to enhance health and wellness policies. In addition, the Department of Health provides assistance to schools in the form of technical assistance, incentive prizes for students, and information regarding funding opportunities. The program is a team effort between school administration, faculty, and the parents, who work collaboratively to promote positive health messages at school and at home.

The Fit Kids program aims to increase physical activity and healthy eating by creating healthy school environments that promote health and wellness.

School districts participating in the Fit Kids program have adopted nutrition standards for foods and beverages served in school, and have significantly improved their lunch menus by offering healthier options. In addition, Fit Kids schools have actively promoted walking by building hiking paths, designating indoor walking paths, forming walking clubs, and sponsoring walk-to-school days.