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

Abstract #114678

Elizabeth W. Edmundson, PhD¹, Deanna M. Hoelscher, PhD, RD, LD, CNS², Steven H. Kelder, PhD, MPH³, Cristina S. Barroso, MPH⁴, and Lori M. Rodriguez, BS¹. (1) Kinesiology & Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, One University Station, D3700, Austin, TX 78712, 5124718184, edmundson@mail.utexas.edu, (2) Human Nutrition Center, Univ. of Texas School of Public Health, 1200 Herman Pressler, E 601, Houston, TX 77030, (3) School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, 7000 Fannin, Suite 2658, Houston, TX 77030, (4) Center for Health Promotion Research and Development, University of Texas-Houston School of Public Health, 1200 Herman Pressler, W-904E, Houston, TX 77030

School health and nutrition advocates have targeted restrictions on vending machines and other “competitive foods” in public schools as one approach to improve healthy food choices among children. The purpose of this study was to obtain epidemiological evidence of daily consumption rates of sweetened beverages and milk among school children. A population-based sample of 15,173 4th, 8th, and 11th grade students participated in an epidemiological study of nutrition, diet, physical activity and weight status in Texas. The demographic distribution of the sample was as follows: 46.3% girls; 10.8% African-American, 38.4% Hispanic, and 50.8% White/other. The average daily consumption of milk for African American girls in 4th grade was 1.2 servings. By the 8th grade, the mean declined to one-half serving per day. Although not as dramatic, this decreasing trend was apparent for Hispanic and White girls as well. Among 4th graders, milk was consumed more than any other beverage measured. By 8th grade, soda consumption out-ranked milk consumption among girls. Milk consumption patterns among boys remained stable across all three grades. Moreover, among 4th graders, 5% of girls and 11% of boys consumed 3 or more soft drinks the day before the survey. Among 8th graders, 16% of girls and 18% of boys drank 3 or more soft drinks the day before the survey. This paper presents consumption patterns that, if continued, may place many children at risk for osteoporosis, obesity, and diabetes. Such evidence underscores the need for restricting access to sugar sweetened beverages on school campuses.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify prevalence patterns of milk and sweetened beverage consumption among 4th, 8th and 11th grade students in Texas.
• Apply epidemiological evidence to support healthy school enivronment.

Keywords: School Health, Nutrition

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.