The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Guidelines for School Health Programs to Promote Lifelong Healthy Eating" indicate that the school environment, beyond the cafeteria, is an area that deserves great attention from health and nutrition experts. The Teens Eating for Energy and Nutrition at School (TEENS) is a four year, group randomized trial examining the effectiveness of curriculum, school-level and family interventions to increase 7th and 8th graders' consumption of fruits, vegetables, and lower fat foods in order to reduce their future risk of cancer. The school environment is targeted through two channels: interventions working directly with the school food service staff and the establishment of School Nutrition Advisory Councils (SNACs). The purpose of this presentation is to describe the process used in establishing the SNACs, review baseline and interim results of the school environment needs assessment and to describe some of the activities initiated by SNACs, such as 1) competitive pricing of lower fat snack items; 2) the creation of "healthy food coupons", distributed through the school cafeterias, for teachers to use as rewards for students; 3) student-initiated promotion of the salad bar and 4) posters and labeling signage around vending and a la carte areas. This research is supported from a grant from the National Cancer Institute.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, attendees will: 1. Be aware of the relationship of the school food environment to students' food choices and nutrition. 2. Understand the process of developing School Nutrition Advisory councils. 3. See the potential for involving schools, families and communities in creating healthful school food environments
Keywords: School Health, Nutrition
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.