HOST Healthy Eating And Physical Activity Roundup, September 14, 2018

The latest in our regular roundups of healthy eating and physical activity news from HOST members and others.

• Afterschool Alliance's latest issue brief, "A Big-Picture Approach to Wellness: Afterschool Supporting Strong Bodies and Minds," looks at the relationship between healthy eating and physical activity (HEPA) and social and emotional learning (SEL), and how out-of-school-time programs are taking a holistic approach to wellbeing incorporating all of these areas. They also note the positive impact of the National AfterSchool Association's HEPA Standards, developed by HOST.
• The National League of Cities (NLC) has partnered with the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) since 2012 on an initiative to help cities reduce child hunger by expanding participation in the Summer and Afterschool Meals Programs. In 2018, it expanded this CHAMPS program and chose six cities to receive grants and technical assistance for citywide, mayor-led anti-hunger campaigns. NLC will be posting more information on the cities' campaigns and lessons learned--but in the meantime, visit their site for tips and a toolkit on helping your city reduce hunger.
• The Safe Routes to School National Partnership's #GoActiveToSchool campaign will share tips, resources, toolkits, and inspiration for schools, parents, and students on ways to go active back to school this year.
• The Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, is holding a “Prevent Childhood Obesity Challenge Competition.” It will award $375,000 in prizes "to support the creation of innovative solutions to empower low-income families to achieve healthy eating practices, healthy lifestyles, and sustainable changes within the home environment – within the broader context of their community."