Monday, October 19, 2009

Starkville Daily News - New CDC study finds unhealthy snacks in schools


Starkville Daily News - New CDC study finds unhealthy snacks in schools:

"The percentage of secondary schools in Mississippi in which students could not purchase less nutritious food and beverages, such as candy and soda, increased significantly between 2006 and 2008, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Mississippi ranked among the 10 best states in the percentage of secondary schools that did not sell less nutritious food and beverages from vending machines or at a school store, canteen, or snack bar in 2008.

“We are gratified that the school health policies and programs in our state have led to impressive improvements in the foods and beverages available to students,” said Shane McNeill, Director Office of Healthy Schools, Mississippi Department of Education. “However, we still have a lot of work to do to ensure that all students learn in a healthy school environment.”

The CDC study found that in 2008, in 62 percent of secondary schools in Mississippi, students could not purchase chocolate candy, other candy, baked goods and salty snacks that are not low in fat, and soda or fruit drinks that are not 100 percent juice.

The percentage of secondary schools in Mississippi in which students could not purchase soda or fruit drinks increased from 22 percent in 2006 to 75 percent in 2008.

The percentage of secondary schools in Mississippi in which students could not purchase candy or salty snacks not low in fat increased from 23 percent in 2006 to 72 percent in 2008."

Read the full report: Availability of Less Nutritious Snack Foods and Beverages in Secondary Schools ---Selected States, 2002--2008