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