|
|
(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Fewer secondary schools in the United States are selling less nutritious foods and beverages, such as candy and soda, according to a survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The greatest improvements were seen in states that have adopted strong
school nutrition standards and policies for foods and beverages sold
outside school meal programs.
The report, “Availability of Less Nutritious Snack Foods and Beverages
in Secondary Schools – Selected States, 2002-2008,” was published today
in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The report shows that among the 34 states that collected data in 2006
and 2008, the median percentage of secondary schools that did not sell
soda or fruit drinks that are not 100 percent juice increased from 38
percent to 63 percent. The median percentage of secondary schools in
these states that did not sell candy or salty snacks not low in fat
increased from 46 percent in 2006 to 64 percent in 2008.
“The school environment is a key setting for influencing children’s food
choices and eating habits,” said Howell Wechsler, Ed.D, M.P.H., director
of CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health. “By ensuring that
only healthy food options are available, schools can model healthy
eating behaviors, help improve students’ diets, and help young people
establish lifelong healthy eating habits.”
Mississippi and Tennessee made the greatest progress in improving the
nutrition environment in their schools. In Mississippi, the percentage
of secondary schools that did not sell soda or fruit drinks that are not
100 percent juice increased from 22 percent in 2006 to 75 percent in
2008, while in Tennessee the percentage increased from 27 percent to 74
percent. These two states are national leaders in implementing strong
statewide school nutrition standards.
“Efforts to improve the school nutrition environment are working, and
Mississippi and Tennessee are excellent examples of this progress.
However, there are still far too many schools selling less nutritious
foods and beverages,” said Wechsler.
The School Health Profiles Survey is conducted among a representative
sample of secondary schools in a state, large urban school district, or
territory. The data are collected from self-administered questionnaires
from the principal and the lead health education teacher at each sampled
school. The 2008 report includes data from 47 states, 20 cities, and
four territories.
The 2008 study results varied dramatically across states.
* In Hawaii, Connecticut, California, and Maine, more than
two-thirds of secondary schools did not sell baked goods, salty snacks
not low in fat, candy, soda or fruit drinks that were not 100 percent
juice.
* In Utah, Kansas, Idaho, and Nebraska, less than one-third of
secondary schools did not sell these items.
The School Health Profiles Survey is conducted every two years and
monitors the current status of school health education requirements and
content, physical education requirements, school health policies related
to HIV/AIDS, tobacco-use prevention, nutrition, asthma management
activities, and family and community involvement in school health
programs. The 2008 data are available at
www.cdc.gov/schoolhealthprofiles.
Subscribe to our FREE Ezine and be eligible for Health News, discounted products/services and coupons related to your Health. We publish 24/7.
HealthNewsDigest.com
We also create, produce and distribute tv/cable public service campaigns: HealthyTelevisionProductions