Schools are an important setting for addressing childhood obesity. More than 54 million U.S. children attend school, and 8.4 million youth are in after-school programs located in schools, parks, and recreational centers. A substantial portion of school-aged children’s daily food and caloric intake occurs within the school and after-school environment. The aim of the research in this area is to understand how school and after-school food policies and environments can help prevent childhood obesity.
Fast Fact
School & After School
Research & Publications
January 2015
Recommendations for Responsible Food Marketing to Children
The marketing of unhealthy foods to children and youth is a major public health concern. Children in the United States grow up surrounded by food and beverage marketing, which primarily promotes products with excessive amounts of added sugar, salt, and fat, and inadequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. … More
January 2019
State Policies on Testing Drinking Water for Lead in U.S. Schools
This Brief summarizes select characteristics of state-level policies and programs to test for lead in school drinking water. It is based on a study from researchers at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and the University of California Nutrition Policy Institute. The full results of the study, … More
June 2018
Equity Arguments in News Reporting on School Nutrition Policy
This content analysis investigated equity-based arguments featured in news debate over federal school nutrition policy. Analyses of national and local print and broadcast news between September 1, 2014-December 31, 2015 were conducted to examine arguments rooted in appeals about equity and/or disparities. Overall, equity and/or disparities appeals appeared in 24% … More
May 2018
Survey of Afterschool Programs Suggests Most Offer Fruit and Vegetables Daily
This study estimated the frequency and quality of fruit and vegetables offered during snack in U.S. afterschool programs and examined program-level factors associated with offering them, including awareness and use of the National AfterSchool Association Healthy Eating and Physical Activity standards. Data was collected from 684 National AfterSchool Association members … More