Snack Attack! The Negative Impact of Unhealthy Snack Foods and Drinks on Student Health
Topics: Fundraisers/School Revenue, Federal Policy, Vending, School Stores, Healthy Snacks & Beverages, Cafeteria a la Carte Lines
In this three-part series we explore competitive foods in schools (http://bit.ly/1eK4DHq), the impact they have on students’ health, and what schools can do to ensure all students have access to healthy food choices. Follow the conversation and learn how to #BagTheJunk on Twitter.
Junky, sugary foods and drinks are still readily available at schools via vending machines, school stores, fundraisers and cafeteria a la carte lines. How much attention do kids really pay to these tempting foods and beverages? And what impact does consuming these snacks have on students’ health? Below are five must-know facts about unhealthy foods and drinks sold in schools:
- The presence of unhealthy snacks and drinks at school creates unnecessary temptation; kids are already bombarded with junk foods from so many sources throughout the day. Competitive foods are often unhealthy, and students will often purchase them when available. Kids consume 35-50% of their calories at school every day. As centers of education, schools have a responsibility to make sure the calories they offer are coming from nutritious foods and beverages.
- Recent research shows that students gained less weight over three years if they lived in a state with strong policies for school snacks and drinks. Schools play a key role in teaching kids healthy eating habits.
- The availability of unhealthy snacks at school can cause stigma among students. Junky snack foods and sugary beverages sold in school vending machines and a la carte lines may cause stigma for low-income students who can’t afford to purchase foods that are not part of the subsidized school meal plan.
- Consuming unhealthy foods and beverages is a major contributor to childhood obesity. Today more than 23 million American kids ages 2-19 are overweight or obese, which means they are at greater risk for chronic diseases and psychosocial problems.
- School food policies that limit access to high-fat, sugary foods results in a decrease of student purchases of these items. This is one step in helping protect kids from obesity.
For more, read the full policy brief on our website. Our next blog will delve further into school food policies for competitive foods and how schools and families can combat childhood obesity.
Follow the conversation about competitive foods with #BagTheJunk on Twitter. Like our Facebook page to learn more on how to “bag the junk” at your school.