ATLANTA, Oct 5, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- It's harder to find candy and salty
snacks in U.S. high school, than in 2006, a report by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention said.
The report using data collected in 34 states from 2006 to 2008 published in the
Center's for Disease Control's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, said the
median percentage of secondary schools in the 34 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 report, "Availability of Less Nutritious Snack Foods and Beverages in
Secondary Schools -- Selected States, 2002-2008," said 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. Mississippi
and Tennessee made the greatest progress in improving the nutrition environment
in their schools, health officials said.
"The school environment is a key setting for influencing children's food choices
and eating habits," Howell Wechsler, director of CDC's Division of Adolescent
and School Health said in a statement.
"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."
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