ABSTRACTOTIS HENRY FLOYD. The perceptions of the K-12 principals on resource adequacy for professional development addressing student obesity (Under the direction of DR.RICHARD G. LAMBERT). With the rapid expanse in childhood obesity and the school’s continuous involvement with children, an investigative look at the role of the principal and the perception of professional development (PD) was the primary focus of the research. Specifically, the researcher wanted to determine the extent of elementary, middle and high school principals’ views, opinions and perceptions of policies, programs for decreasing childhood obesity, and the promotion of professional development for teachers and staff. At the turn of the twenty-first century, several states began to provide mandates for examining the school food environment locally, in order to evaluate the district schools’ food environment and to suggest improvements for state obesity policies. One state, Mississippi in 2007, passed legislation in several areas to improve the school food environment in order to reduce obesity. To improve the school food environment, many schools prohibited non-nutritious foods in vending machines in areas used by children. However, Mississippi required that all vending machine content meet the requirements of the state’s nutrition regulation for meals and snacks in places where children congregate (Mulheron, Vonasek, & The NGA Center Best Practice Health Division, 2009). Principals in schools of the eight highest obesity states and principals from eight states with the lowest obesity rates were invited to complete a survey as part of a descriptive study to share viewpoints on local and state policies, programs and procedures for the prevention of childhood obesity. Principals from the high and low body mass index (BMI) states responded to the perceived role the school should commit to and to what degree if any, should educators encourage professional development for the prevention of obesity. When studying the principal’s role in combating obesity, specific variables emerged which with the support of state and local government would make a positive change in obesity levels if implemented at the local school level.