Assessing the Impact of School Vending Machine Policies on Rural Adolescent Beverage Consumption

The goal of this study is to analyze the impact of school vending machine policies on adolescent beverage consumption in predominantly rural high schools across New Hampshire and Vermont. Using data from an ongoing study, this project will specifically seek to compare school beverage vending machine guidelines, restrictions, implementation, and content; and to evaluate the More

Evaluating the Impact of Two School Nutrition Policy and Environmental Interventions on Low-Income Middle-School Students in Michigan

The primary goal of this project is to evaluate the impact of two interventions on improved nutrition behaviors among low-income students. These on-going interventions have been initiated by key stakeholder groups in response to current school nutrition/wellness legislation. In the first intervention, low-income middle schools will receive access to comprehensive online tools, mentoring assistance, and More

School Foods Sold Outside of Meals. A Research Brief

Schools that provide federally reimbursed meal programs must meet federal nutrition standards. But snacks and drinks sold outside of these programs—so-called competitive foods—do not have to meet these requirements. This brief examines the availability of competitive foods, their nutritional content, their impact on students’ food consumption and policies for improving the school food environment.

Impact of Maine’s State-Wide Rule on High School Nutrition Environments and Students’ Dietary Behaviors

Maine’s Chapter 51 rule represents one of the strongest current state-wide school nutrition standards in the country. Study aims: 1) examine effects of Chapter 51, on high school nutrition policies, environments and revenues and on high school student dietary behaviors; and 2) examine the influence of proximity and density of non-school food venues on high More

Improving the School Food Environment: Legal Obstacles and Opportunities

This study will examine the legal environment facing schools as they seek to limit access to unhealthy foods and the marketing of unhealthy foods. The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) will analyze the legal determinants that affect schools and will communicate effective policy guidance to stakeholders. This policy guidance will outline schools’ legal obligations to More

Study of Environmental and Policy Factors Impacting Healthy Eating Behaviors for Low-Income Elementary Students in Colorado

This project is designed to identify and evaluate environmental and policy features related to healthy eating among elementary schools located throughout low-income, Hispanic and non-Hispanic, urban and rural Colorado. In a longitudinal design, student diet recalls and school level food-related sales records will be used to assess diet and eating patterns over time. Environmental and More

A National Study of Public School Food Environments and Policies and Their Relationship to Diet and Obesity Among Students

The purpose of the study is: (a) to identify School Food Policy Environments and Policies (SFEPs) that are most likely to affect students’ dietary behaviors and/or weight, and (b) to understand how both the existence and impact of SFEPs may vary along socio-economic and racial/ethnic lines. Results of our proposed analyses will suggest which, if More

Policy Legislation and Nutrition (PLAN): What Works to Improve Student Health

The Policy Legislation and Nutrition (PLAN) study will examine the impact of state and local policies on the school nutrition environment and on the students’ dietary behaviors. Data will be collected from 64 rural and urban middle schools in Washington State, stratified by income level and ethnicity. Data will include policy quality, policy implementation, inventories More

School Nutrition Standards Policy Implementation: Economic Impact and the Role of Key Stakeholders

North Carolina passed legislation to implement recommended nutrition standards in schools. A pilot study conducted in 2004-05 in seven school districts (123 elementary schools varying by size, region, and demographics) resulted in substantial revenue loss and resistance from administrators, teachers, parents, and students. We propose an in-depth analysis of the financial impact and implementation barriers More