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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Anastasia Snelling, PhD, RD, School of Education, Teaching, and Health, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016, 202-885-6278, ssnelli@american.edu

Childhood obesity is a major problem facing our nation. Because of the amount of time most adolescents spend in school, the school setting has the opportunity to provide balanced foods and meals. The purpose of this study was to assess eating patterns of students in three public high schools through examining the nutrient density of foods items purchased in the cafeteria during lunch. The food items sold in the cafeteria were coded by a stoplight system. Data on daily food item purchases were extracted for one month. Findings from this study showing a comparison of National School Lunch Program food itmes and competitive food items suggest that student purchase foods in relative proportion to what was available. Foods in the National School Lunch Program appear to be more nutrient dense and are offered in appropriate portion sizes. Competitive foods tend to be less nutrient dense and higher in calories. This research has led the school district to adopt nutritional guidelines for competitive foods sold in the cafeteria line and in vending machines.

Learning Objectives:

• The participant will identify the school's role in the management of adolescent weight management.
• The participant will discuss how competitive foods may contribute to the obesity epidemic.
• The participant will develop strategies for improving nutrition policies that promote healthful eating in school cafeterias.

Keywords: School-Based Programs, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered