General

Published in Infectious Diseases in Children November 2009

Efforts needed to decrease availability of unhealthy foods, beverages in schools

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Despite the progress made in eliminating the availability of less nutritious foods and beverages in schools as recommended by the Institute of Medicine, the availability of these foods and beverages continues to vary from state to state, according to data in the Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report.

Researchers at the CDC assessed data from public secondary school health profiles during 2002 and 2008.

Data indicated that the percentage of schools that did not offer students unhealthy snacks increased in 37 of 40 states. Between 2006 and 2008, the percentage of schools in which students could not purchase soda or fruit drinks that were not 100% juice also increased in 34 states.

However, during 2008, the percentage of schools in states where students could not purchase sports drinks ranged from 22.7% to 84.8% (median=43.7%), and the percentage of schools where students could not purchase soda ranged from 25.6% to 92.8% (median=62.9%).

In addition, the percentage of schools where students could not purchase candy or salty snacks varied among all states (18.2% to 88.2%; median=61.2%).

“From 2004 to 2009, the number of states with nutrition standards for foods outside of school meal programs increased from six to 27,” the researchers wrote.

Despite efforts by federal and state agencies and national nongovernmental organizations to provide technical assistance to schools for nutritional standards, “greater efforts are needed to ensure that all foods and beverages offered or sold outside of school meal programs meet nutrition standards, such as those recommended by IOM — schools should implement nutrition standards that provide students with healthy choices throughout the school day and throughout the school campus,” the researchers concluded.

MMWR. 2009;58:1-4.

It is encouraging that more states are making progress in removing less healthy foods and beverages in schools and providing healthier options to students, but much more work needs to be done. We know that states with laws regulating the competitive food environment are doing well, and those that are holding schools accountable are doing better. Strong public policy initiatives could close the gap in areas that have yet to improve nutrition standards and minimize access to these less healthy food and beverage options.

–Clyde Yancy, MD

President, American Heart Association