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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Howell Wechsler, EdD, MPH, Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS K-12, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-6197, hwechsler@cdc.gov
The widespread availability of foods and beverages high in fat and/or added sugars on school campuses through vending machines, school stores, and snack bars is a growing impediment to the promotion of healthy eating behaviors among young people. These foods and beverages are sometimes called “competitive foods,” because they compete with, and discourage participation in, USDA’s nutritious school meal programs. CDC’s School Health Policies and Programs Study 2000 found that students can buy high-fat, high-sugar foods and beverages in many elementary schools, most middle schools, and almost all high schools.
This presentation will describe collaborative efforts made by the USDA and CDC to identify and promote innovative strategies for improving the school nutrition environment. Strategies to be discussed include: 1) rejecting or improving beverage pouring rights contracts; 2) restricting student access to competitive foods (e.g., no access to vending machines until 30 minutes after the end of the last lunch period); 3) establishing nutritional standards for foods and beverages available to students; 4) mandating or encouraging the sale of nutritious food items or non-food items for fund raising activities; and 5) creatively marketing the nutritious choices that are available on campus (e.g., research-based product selection, attractive packaging, favorable changes in pricing, fun promotional activities).
Specific examples of schools or districts that have implemented such strategies will be shared, along with examples of schools that have made progress in addressing this issue through the use of USDA’s Changing the Scene kit, other Team Nutrition materials, and CDC’s School Health Index.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to
Keywords: Nutrition, School Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.