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A new study by NOURISH (Nutrition Opportunities to Understand Reforms Involving Student Health) studied bans for junk food in schools, reporting that Massachusetts schools are able to implement standards with “very little technical assistance”, according to Jessica Hoffman, a Northeastern associate professor, and the study’s lead author.
Reporting that only 13 percent of middle schools foods met the state’s standards for federal health standards before bans, and now the studied schools have risen to 69 percent of healthier food and beverage options. Also, 28 percent of beverages in high schools met standards before, and one year later (2013-2014) has reportedly risen to 80 percent.
Before, vending machines across schools may have been filled with sodas, candy bars, chips and unhealthy snacks. The study, co-authored with Harvard Public Health, shows that schools can easily implement healthier options for snacking. Changing options in vending machines for healthy options within schools may help combat obesity in Latinos, who are more likely to be obese than their white counterparts.
To read more about the study, click here.
By The Numbers
142
Percent
Expected rise in Latino cancer cases in coming years
