Lessons Learned from Evaluations of California’s Statewide School Nutrition Standards

Published: November 2010

ID #: 57926

Journal: Am J Public Health

Authors: Woodward-Lopez G, Gosliner W, Samuels SE, Craypo L, Kao J, Crawford PB

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This article evaluates the impact of legislation that established nutrition standards for competitive foods in California schools. Researchers found that regulation of competitive foods modestly improved school environments and student nutritional intake. Availability of nutrition standard-compliant foods and beverages increased, while availability of noncompliant items decreased. The authors conclude, however, that additional policies are needed to achieve more substantive improvements in school nutrition, since many nutrition standard-compliant foods are fat- and sugar-modified products with low nutritional value.

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Age Groups: Adolescents (grades 9 to 12), Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)

State: California

Keywords: Competitive foods, Food service, Nutrition standards, School meal programs, Snacks, Sugar-sweetened beverages, Vending machines

Resource Type: Journal Article

Race/Ethnicity: Multi-racial/ethnic

Focus Areas: Pricing & Economics, School & After School

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