Outline of the state of Massachusetts
State
Massachusetts
Addressed

Category
Health Education K-12 Curriculum—Healthy Eating Nutrition—HS

Category
Health Education K-12 Curriculum—Healthy Eating Nutrition—HS

State law addresses healthy eating/nutrition.

Chapter 1 NEW DIMENSIONS OF SCHOOL HEALTH

This is a gigantic manual for all things school health, and includes components on health education in the state "In secondary school, promoting healthy choices in all aspects of life becomes important, including: • good eating habits; • physical exercise; • the importance of adequate rest; • how to balance schoolwork with employment and leisure activities; • stress reduction; • tobacco, drug, and alcohol use; and • healthy relationships and sexuality."

Policy Type
Non-codified

General Laws of Massachusetts 69.1D Statewide educational goals: academic Standard

The Standard shall provide for instruction in the issues of nutrition and exercise. The Standard may provide for instruction in the issues of physical education, human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome education, violence prevention, including teen dating violence, bullying prevention, conflict resolution and drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse prevention.

Policy Type
Statute

General Laws of Massachusetts 71.1 Maintenance; double sessions; subjects; twelve-month school year

Instruction in health education shall include, but shall not be limited to: consumer health, ecology, community health, body structure and function, safety, nutrition, fitness and body dynamics, dental health, emotional development safe and healthy relationships with a focus on preventing sexual and domestic violence, and training in the administration of first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Policy Type
Statute

Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework

Nutrition:

Nutrition addresses the development of a healthy body composition through the balance of food intake and physical activity. Nutrition includes many concepts, such as the relationships among food choices and growth, nutrition guidelines, food insecurity, current health needs, chronic disease, and a healthy lifestyle.

An adequate and healthy intake of food and nutrients is essential for students to take full advantage of the learning environment in school. Thus, students of all ages need the knowledge and skills to make wise food choices in the contemporary food environment and throughout their lives. Instruction in Nutrition includes evaluation of food promotion and media messages regarding realistic body size and shape, and consumer and nutrition skills needed to select appropriate foods in varied settings. Topics generally covered in Nutrition include: Improving Nutrition, Safe and Adequate Food Supply, and Social Influences.

PreK–12 Standard 3: Nutrition

Students will gain the knowledge and skills to select a diet that supports health and reduces the risk of illness and future chronic diseases.

Policy Type
Standard