nutrition and physical activity in our schools - Environment & Human ...

The State of Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schoolsif they existed. At 92 percent of the middle and high schools inthis study, there were no rules whatsoever restricting studentpurchases of competitive foods.This means that children are being entrusted with nutritionaldecisions that confound many adults. It was not uncommonthroughout this study to see students eating multiple à la carteor vending items either in addition to or instead of a lunch. Thiswas particularly prevalent at the middle school level, wherestudents were sometimes new to the multitude of competitivefood choices available. For example, one 12-year-old boy wasobserved eating a “meal” consisting of a large chocolate muffin, aserving of oil-fried French fries, and a Hawaiian Punch drink.This type of lunch was not uncommon at schools selling largeamounts of competitive foods. At another middle school, thecafeteria staff reported that students often bought two and eventhree baskets of oil-fried French fries in lieu of lunch.While drinking water cannot be offered as part of a reimbursablelunch, it was often sold as a competitive food. While waterfountains were available in and around most cafeterias, cups werenot provided, and students rarely drink this water with lunch.Bottled water was generally sold at a similar price to beveragessweetened with added sugars when sold à la carte or in vendingmachines. Students often chose these sweetened beverages overwater when buying an extra drink.At 92 percent of themiddle and highschools in this study,there were no ruleswhatsoever restrictingstudent purchases ofcompetitive foods.At each school, a food service director or a cafeteria manager wasasked to estimate the percentage of the student body purchasingan à la carte or vending item on a typical day. Responses weresignificantly associated with school level. 14 At the elementary level,19 percent of students purchased a competitive food on a typical47