Conclusion:
Allowing for school preferences to be considered and a low response rate were limitations of this study. The findings suggest, however, that nutritional quality of children’s diets will increase following implementation of updated federal nutrition standards for school snacks and drinks.
About the Study:
The three different experimental groups consisted of schools that:
- Completed an assessment of nutrition education policies and environments using the Healthy School Action Tools (HSAT), and implemented an action plan;
- Completed the HSAT, implemented an action plan, and convened a student nutrition action team; and
- Completed the HSAT, and implemented an action plan and a Michigan State Board of Education nutrition policy in their cafeteria a la carte lines.
There was also a control group. Schools were recruited using applications for grant funding. Student dietary intake was assessed using the Block Kids FFQ 2004 (ages 8-17). Data from baseline and follow-up survey was gathered from 55 schools with 1,176 students.