Oral

Because overweight and obesity continue to affect the health of American school children and adolescents, this session will consist of papers to support obesity prevention programs in the schools. Presentations will include findings from a study done to assess school food policies and practices using a nationally representative sample of both public and elementary schools; results of a telephone survey conducted with 14-18 year old adolescents to evaluate results of a state policy implemented to decrease student’s purchase and consumption of non-nutritious carbonated beverages in schools; outcomes from the “Youth Styles Mail Survey” administered to 920 children and adolescents to determine differences between students who purchased food from school vending machines from those who didn’t; synopsis of a 2007 study composed of a nationally representative sample of 837 elementary public and private schools undertaken to appraise the types, times of day and frequency that foods were available to students; and a summation of “Food BEAMS” (Food and Beverage Environment Assessment and Monitoring System), an electronic data collection system and nutrient database designed to enhance school personnel adherence to State and local school nutrition policies to promote healthier school nutrition environments.

Session Objectives: Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to (1) List the results of a 2007 national study done to assess school food policies and practices identified in a sample of both public and private elementary schools; (2) Articulate the findings of an Arkansas study done to evaluate the effects of a state policy enacted to reduce student’s access to non-nutritious sweetened carbonated beverages; (3) Discuss the results of the Youth Styles Mail Survey showing that students who buy from school vending machines are more likely than those who don’t to consume soda and snack foods; (4) Describe the results of an elementary school study done to appraise the types, times of day, and frequency of food options for students; and (5) Describe an evaluation of “Food Beams,” an electronic data collection system and nutrient base designed to promote adherence to State and local school nutrition policies.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing