About Nutrition and Physical Activity

Access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity plays a critical role in overall health, yet many South Carolinians face challenges such as limited options for healthy food, lack of walkable communities, and insufficient opportunities for daily physical activity. The SC Department of Public Health collaborates with partners across the state to improve these conditions by expanding healthy food access, enhancing walkability, and supporting early care and education and school settings in promoting nutrition and physical activity. Through policy, systems, and environmental changes, we are working to create healthier communities where all residents can more easily consume nutritious and affordable foods and be physically active in safe and accessible places.

Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Prevention Section

The Section of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Prevention (NPAO) aims to improve access to healthier foods and opportunities for daily physical activity through policy, systems, and environmental approaches reaching South Carolinians where they live, learn, work, and play. NPAO seeks to: 

• Engage partners to guide statewide healthy eating and active living efforts
• Promote community mobility and active transportation
• Improve early care and education environments to support healthy eating and active living
• Prioritize physical activity in schools