Schools aren't to blame for the problem of childhood obesity, but they can make a difference by how they treat food and promote exercise, according to Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity.

		On the Internet Figures for each county in the state can be found on the organization's Web site by clicking on "Keystone Healthy Zone School Program."

The statewide coalition of more than 500 groups that promotes healthy eating and activity today is releasing a report showing that schools have made changes -- from turning off vending machines to enabling more students to walk to school -- in the first two years of its Keystone Healthy Zone Schools Program, which provides technical and other assistance.

Participation grew from 912 schools in 2003-04 to 1,133 schools in 2004-05. While that is about a third of the public schools in Pennsylvania, the list includes a mix of urban, rural and suburban schools, with at least some from about two-thirds of the state's 501 districts. Every county except Sullivan had schools that participated.

The nonprofit coalition believes program momentum is likely to grow because the federal Child Nutrition Act calls for all districts to have wellness plans by the start of the 2006-07 school year.

The report shows that by the program's second year, many more schools had formed health councils. The coalition found that those with such councils were more likely to offer healthier food and more physical activities.

There also were increases in before-school and after-school physical activity programs, like intramurals; in policies related to food and beverages; and in trying to eliminate traffic hazards so children who live nearby can walk or bike to schools.

While nine out of every 10 schools reported that they have adequate space for physical education, the number of minutes provided per week varies widely.

Participating schools statewide, for example, averaged 166 minutes of physical education per week at the secondary level, but the average of participating secondary schools in Armstrong County was just 72 minutes. Each school also received its own report card, which the coalition did not release.

The coalition provided 100 schools with $2,000 grants, which were spent in the last school year. Some of the changes that resulted included offering more nutrition education, taking vending machines out of cafeterias, and increasing recess and physical education.

"It doesn't take millions of dollars to get schools off the ground," said Allison Topper, the coalition's executive director. "It just takes a little bit of support and resources and some seed money, and they were just able to multiply that."

Some other trends noted in the report:

About a quarter of schools statewide have a policy on foods that can be sold in the cafeteria's a la carte lines or in vending machines, but only 9 percent have such a policy for student rewards, 12.6 percent for sporting events and 17.1 percent for school fund-raisers.

About 40 percent of schools have student vending machines, but only 6.8 percent permit access from the beginning of first period to the beginning of lunch. Access is most likely after school.

Councils to oversee school health policies and programs have been set up or are forming in 67 percent of schools statewide.

Before-school and after-school physical activity programs are available in 67 percent of schools statewide.