An increasing number of school districts are promoting nutritious foods and cutting out the junk, according to a comprehensive study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Between 2006 and 2012, the percentage of school districts that require schools to exclude junk food in vending machines rose to 43.4 percent from 29.8 percent, the 2012 School Health Policies and Practices Study (SHPPS) found. Districts also are cracking down on soft drink advertisements on school grounds, with only about one third (33.5 percent) permitting such ads. Nearly half (46.6 percent) of school districts allowed soft drink companies to advertise in 2006.
More than half (52.7 percent) of school districts now grant families access to information on the nutrition and calories of foods that are available to students, CDC reported. By comparison, only 35.3 percent of districts did so in 2000.
The increasing focus on nutritious foods only tells part of the story that is unfolding on school grounds in the fight to improve the health of America's children. The CDC study also found more school districts are requiring elementary schools to teach physical education (93.6 percent in 2012 from 82.6 percent in 2000) and prohibit tobacco use during any school-related activity (67.5 percent from 46.7 percent).
On the nutritional front, CDC had more reason to cheer. Nearly three quarters (73.5 percent) of districts have food procurement contracts that address nutritional standards for foods that kids can purchase separately from school breakfast or lunch. That figure is up from 55.1 percent in 2006.
Although the report was encouraging, The Associated Press has revealed some schools are severing ties with the National School Lunch Program because cafeterias are losing money as students snub healthier foods like fruits and vegetables. USDA last year required schools under the program to increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
"The truth is that the vast majority of schools across the country are meeting the updated meal standards successfully, which is so important to help all our Nation's children lead healthier lives," Janey Thornton, USDA's Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, said. "Even before the new standards took effect and more resources were available, many schools across the country were leading the way with healthier options and appropriate portion sizes. In fact, schools that adopted the changes earlier report that participation increased as students and parents became accustomed to the healthier options."
The National School Lunch Program provided low-cost or free meals to more than 31 million kids in 2011 at a cost of $11.1 billion. Although schools participating in the program must meet USDA's nutrition standards, local officials have discretion to select the specific foods to serve and decide how to prepare them.
More than half (52.7 percent) of school districts now grant families access to information on the nutrition and calories of foods that are available to students, CDC reported. By comparison, only 35.3 percent of districts did so in 2000.
The increasing focus on nutritious foods only tells part of the story that is unfolding on school grounds in the fight to improve the health of America's children. The CDC study also found more school districts are requiring elementary schools to teach physical education (93.6 percent in 2012 from 82.6 percent in 2000) and prohibit tobacco use during any school-related activity (67.5 percent from 46.7 percent).
On the nutritional front, CDC had more reason to cheer. Nearly three quarters (73.5 percent) of districts have food procurement contracts that address nutritional standards for foods that kids can purchase separately from school breakfast or lunch. That figure is up from 55.1 percent in 2006.
Although the report was encouraging, The Associated Press has revealed some schools are severing ties with the National School Lunch Program because cafeterias are losing money as students snub healthier foods like fruits and vegetables. USDA last year required schools under the program to increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
"The truth is that the vast majority of schools across the country are meeting the updated meal standards successfully, which is so important to help all our Nation's children lead healthier lives," Janey Thornton, USDA's Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, said. "Even before the new standards took effect and more resources were available, many schools across the country were leading the way with healthier options and appropriate portion sizes. In fact, schools that adopted the changes earlier report that participation increased as students and parents became accustomed to the healthier options."
The National School Lunch Program provided low-cost or free meals to more than 31 million kids in 2011 at a cost of $11.1 billion. Although schools participating in the program must meet USDA's nutrition standards, local officials have discretion to select the specific foods to serve and decide how to prepare them.
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