Background: In 2005, the West Virginia legislature passed the Healthy Lifestyles Act (HB2816). The law was passed in recognition of the burden that obesity and weight-related health problems, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, place on the state's health care infrastructure. The Healthy Lifestyles Act reflects the state's desire to promote healthy eating and regular physical activity through policy change and education. The Act established new guidelines related to:

1) types of beverages allowed in schools,
2) amount of time required for physical education in all grades,
3) required fitness assessments,
4) Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments,
5) required health education and assessments

 

This evaluation is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation The grant project reflects a multidisciplinary team effort involving several groups within West Virginia University and state government. The Health Research Center leads the evaluation component of the overall project. Our WVU project partners include: Prevention Research Center (Leadership and Administration), CARDIAC (BMI Surveillance), and the Meta-Analytic Research Group (Data Management and Statistical Analysis). Our state partners include: The West Virginia Department of Education's Office of Healthy Schools and the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health's Office of Healthy Lifestyles.