Leaving whole milk behind: Where do schools go?

The availability of higher-fat milks in school cafeterias has been identified as a nutritional roadblock in the fight against childhood obesity. Survey data collected as part of the evaluation of Arkansas Act 1220 of 2003, one of the first comprehensive efforts to reduce childhood obesity through school policy and environmental changes, indicate that over the seven years that the Act has been implemented, the number of Arkansas schools offering lower-fat milk increased, while the number offering whole milk decreased. Specifically, 78.8% of principals reported offering whole milk (either white or chocolate) in 2004, but by 2010, only 34.3% offered whole milk. Longitudinal analyses in the types of milk available in Arkansas schools will be presented, and the characteristics of schools that heeded dietary whole milk recommendations were compared to schools that did not. After adjustment, school level and location were found to be associated with continued availability of whole milk. Elementary schools (OR=1.7; p=0.07) and high schools (OR=2.2; p=0.01) were more likely to continue offering whole milk compared to middle schools. Rural schools (OR=2.1; p=0.01), suburban schools (OR=3.4; p<0.001), and urban schools (OR=2.2; p=0.01) were more likely to continue offering whole milk compared to schools in small towns. Two-thirds of the schools dropping whole milk began offering lower fat options not previously offered. Implications for nutritional interventions in school cafeterias to change milk options will be addressed.