---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 280h"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "280h"
heading: "Grants to promote childhood nutrition and physical activity"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/280h"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter II — General Powers and Duties"
  - "Part Q — Programs To Improve the Health of Children"
---

# §280h. Grants to promote childhood nutrition and physical activity

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c), acting though the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall award competitive grants to [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) and political subdivisions of [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) for the development and implementation of [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) and community-based intervention [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) to promote good nutrition and physical activity in children and [adolescents](/usc/42/300z–1.md?p=a-9).
- (b) **Eligibility—** To be eligible to receive a grant under this section a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) or political subdivision of a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) shall prepare and submit to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may require, including a plan that describes—
  - (1) how the applicant proposes to develop a comprehensive [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) of [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6)- and community-based approaches to encourage and promote good nutrition and appropriate levels of physical activity with respect to children or [adolescents](/usc/42/300z–1.md?p=a-9) in local communities;
  - (2) the manner in which the applicant shall coordinate with appropriate [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) and local authorities, such as [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) and local [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) departments, State departments of health, chronic disease [directors](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5), [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) [directors](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under [section 1786 of this title](/usc/42/1786.md), 5-a-day coordinators, governors councils for physical activity and good nutrition, and [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) and local parks and recreation departments; and
  - (3) the manner in which the applicant will evaluate the effectiveness of the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) carried out under this section.
- (c) **Use of funds—** A [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) or political subdivision of a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) shall use amount received under a grant under this section to—
  - (1) develop, implement, disseminate, and evaluate [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6)- and community-based strategies in [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) to reduce inactivity and improve dietary choices among children and [adolescents](/usc/42/300z–1.md?p=a-9);
  - (2) expand opportunities for physical activity [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6)- and community-based settings; and
  - (3) develop, implement, and evaluate [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) that promote good eating habits and physical activity including opportunities for children with cognitive and physical disabilities.
- (d) **Technical assistance—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may set-aside an amount not to exceed 10 percent of the amount appropriated for a fiscal year under [subsection (h)](#h) to permit the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to—
  - (1) provide [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) and political subdivisions of [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) with technical support in the development and implementation of [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under this section; and
  - (2) disseminate information about effective strategies and interventions in preventing and treating obesity through the promotion of good nutrition and physical activity.
- (e) **Limitation on administrative costs—** Not to exceed 10 percent of the amount of a grant awarded to the [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) or political subdivision under [subsection (a)](#a) for a fiscal year may be used by the [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) or political subdivision for administrative expenses.
- (f) **Term—** A grant awarded under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be for a term of 3 years.
- (g) **Definition—** In this section, the term “children and [adolescents](/usc/42/300z–1.md?p=a-9)” means individuals who do not exceed 18 years of age.
- (h) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2001 through 2005.

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 399W, as added Pub. L. 106–310, div. A, title XXIV, § 2401, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1158.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Another section 399W of act July 1, 1944, was renumbered section 399V–1 and is classified to section 280g–12 of this title.