Abstract
The epidemic of childhood overweight is a complex, multifaceted problem that requires multilevel approaches to reverse the upward trend. Many point to changing school food and physical education programs as key strategies for stemming the rise of overweight. Schools cannot be expected to solve the problem alone, but they do have a strategic role to play. Some states have used a legislative route to impact foods available in schools. Others like North Carolina have developed a voluntary approach to foster immediate change. North Carolina's Eat Smart School Standards described here is one strategy for improving eating patterns of North Carolina's school-age youth and might serve as a model for other states.