The project will develop, implement and evaluate an effective national policy and sustainable practices on healthy eating and physical activity in schools in all EU member states. It aims at supporting the development and implementation of comprehensive, sustainable and evidence-based school programmes in the member states to combat and prevent overweight among school-aged children, in the most efficient way by developing and implementing guiding principles and tools to promote healthy eating and physical activity in schools.

Close to one in four European school children is overweight - and this number is rapidly increasing. An integrated approach is required to stop this trend. Schools can contribute to improving children’s health by promoting healthy eating and physical activity. There is consensus in Europe, as expressed at the WHO Ministerial Conference on Obesity (Turkey, November 2006), that the rising trend in obesity can be reversed through international actions which support national policies.

The project builds on the knowledge accumulated since 1991in the Schools for Health (SHE) network in Europe, the former European Network of Health Promoting Schools (ENHPS). It will create active links with the SHE network for communicating and disseminating the project outcomes. The health promoting school approach involves students in the process, empowers students and encourages their participation. The approach ensures links between the school, school staff, parents and the community, using a broad and positive concept of health.

The project will develop an evidence-based school policy on promoting healthy eating and physical activity in each member state. In particular, the project will provide guidelines, an inventory tool, an advocacy guide, a teacher training manual and tool for implementation of a comprehensive school policy on healthy eating and physical activity.