How Can Healthier School Snacks and Beverages Improve Student Health and Help School Budgets?
Today, more than 23.5 million children and adolescents in the United States are overweight or obese, putting them at greater risk for serious health problems and straining the health care system.
In 2010, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act was enacted to provide healthier foods and beverages in schools. The law charged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with updating nutrition standards for the National School Breakfast and National School Lunch programs and these standards were updated in early 2012.
- Schools sell many unhealthy snacks and beverages to students, in à la carte lines, vending machines, and other venues.
- Policies that restrict sales of unhealthy snacks and beverages in schools can improve children’s diets, reduce weight gain, and increase food service revenues.
- The USDA is working to strengthen nutrition standards for school snack foods and beverages, which have not been updated in more than 30 years.
