| The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization | | | | hot lunch program. |
| Act of 2004 mandates that high schools have a | | | | |
| local wellness policy and program in place by | | | | 75% of sodas and 85% of snacks sold in school |
| July 1, 2006, to promote more healthful food | | | | vending machines are junk foods. Many schools |
| choices by students. | | | | have found that replacing junk foods with |
| | | | healthier foods and beverages, such as |
| However, a recent study of 271 public high | | | | bottled water, yogurt, fruit, juice, etc., |
| schools by Penn State researchers, published | | | | has not hurt the school revenue, and in some |
| in the February issue of the "Journal of the | | | | cases has actually increased revenue. |
| American Dietetic Association," names three | | | | |
| reasons why some high school wellness | | | | What can parents do? |
| programs already in place, aren't working. | | | | |
| | | | Make sure you know how healthy your local |
| The study says: | | | | school environment is and what needs to be |
| | | | improved. Visit with food service directors |
| 1. 25% of the wellness program directors | | | | and ask these four questions: 1) What do kids |
| report that lunch periods are scheduled | | | | eat when they are at school, 2) Is junk food |
| before 10:30 a.m. Early lunch periods produce | | | | readily available? 3) How much time is |
| higher a la carte sales. | | | | provided for physical activity? And 4) What |
| | | | can be done to make the school environment |
| 2. A la carte sales generate almost $700 per | | | | healthier? |
| day per school among schools surveyed, with | | | | |
| $450 of that income coming from a la carte | | | | Not all current school wellness programs |
| items that do not meet federal school meal | | | | restrict the sale of high-fat, high-sugar |
| requirements. | | | | snacks and sodas during the school day. Know |
| | | | what your local school policy is, or will be, |
| 3. The existence of soft drink machines owned | | | | because proper nutrition greatly influences a |
| by soft drink companies correlated with a | | | | student's learning ability. Which of the |
| higher number of vending machines per | | | | three reasons named in the Penn State study |
| student. The study showed that more vending | | | | could you improve at your student's high |
| machines reduced participation in the school | | | | school? |