Michigan Surgeon General Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom and the Michigan Action for Healthy Kids Coalition today recognized 103 schools for fostering students' healthy eating and physical activity habits and tobacco-free lifestyles. Through the Healthy School Environment Recognition Program, schools will be honored at the Eat Healthy + Play Hard = Smart Students statewide conference in Traverse City. Both the recognition program and conference are initiatives championed by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH).

"We are tremendously excited that our educators and their community partners are taking the lead in improving the health of our most treasured resources - our children," Wisdom said. "A healthy school environment gives students clear and consistent health messages and ample opportunity to practice what they've learned. Research shows healthy students do better academically, have better attendance, and have fewer behavioral problems."

To apply for the recognition program, schools provide information about nutrition, physical education/activity, and tobacco-free practices and submit at least one success story. Accomplishments include increasing availability of fruits, vegetables, milk and whole grains; increasing physical activity time and options; installing healthy snack machines; and promoting healthy habits to school staff members. Schools are eligible for one of four recognition levels and are encouraged to increase their level of recognition each year. This is the first time schools from underrepresented communities (Detroit, Pontiac, Highland Park, Hamtramck and Benton Harbor) will receive such an honor.

"The 103 schools recognized this year represent almost 54,000 students impacted by the positive changes," said Kandi Lannen, a registered dietitian and co-chair of Michigan Action for Healthy Kids.

Michigan Action for Healthy Kids is a grassroots coalition working to improve the food and beverages offered in schools and increase the amount of quality daily physical education and physical activity offered to students.

HealthPlus of Michigan provided professional development scholarships to staff from eight award-winning schools so they could attend the Eat Healthy + Play Hard = Smart Students conference.

"HealthPlus is proud to support the efforts of our schools to improve the health of children," said HealthPlus Health & Lifestyle Management Director Randy Jones. "HealthPlus' vision is a healthier community and those efforts can help make that vision a reality."

Generation With Promise, an initiative directed by Surgeon General Wisdom and funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, linked with Governor Granholm's Cities of Promise effort and provided support to nine schools receiving this special recognition.

To view school success stories and learn more about the Healthy School Environment Recognition Program and other resources available for schools, please visit the Michigan Department of Community Health-sponsored Web site at www.mihealthtools.org/healthyschools.asp.

For more information about the Surgeon General's health and fitness initiative, visit www.michiganstepsup.org. To join Michigan Action for Healthy Kids see www.actionforhealthykids.org.