Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116533

Marsha Spence, MS-MPH, RD, Nutrition, University of Tennessee, 1215 Cumberland Ave, Room 229, Department of Nutrition, Knoxville, TN 37966-1920, 9659742109, mgreen4@utk.edu, Sonya J. Jones, Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, 2718 Middleburg Drive, Columbia, SC 29204, and Sonia Hardin, RN, Coordinated School Health Program, Monroe County Schools, 205 Oak Grove Road, Madisonville, TN 37354.

This study examines the effect of school vending policy changes on children's sweetened beverage consumption. Data are derived from Youth Can!, an intervention study involving 256 4th grade children in five rural Appalachian school settings. Preliminary data suggest that the number of vending machines at schools is associated with the number of servings of sweetened-beverages that children consume for snacks at school (mean difference = 0.23 servings more in children at schools with 2 or more vending machines than in children at schools with none) and at home (mean difference = 0.28 servings). The state of Tennessee has mandated that all K-8 schools will remove “foods of low-nutrient density and higher fat, added sugar and calories” by August 2005. Analysis of change in consumption before and after the policy change will be presented. As schools plan wellness policies and states enact vending legislation, data clarifying the relationship between the school food environment and children's consumption are needed to inform and influence decision-making.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the presentation, the listener will understand how changes in school food policies alter 5th grade children’s consumption patterns.

Keywords: Nutrition, Child Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation