Health Policy Connection

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Childhood Obesity Current Topics

	New Nutrition Standards for School Meals The USDA finalized new nutrition standards for school meals January 25, the first big upgrades to school menus in 15 years. These changes will add more fruits, veggies, whole grains and low-fat milk while placing stricter limits on fat and calories. A statement from RWJF CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey on the new standards. A statement from the Kids' Safe & Healthful Foods Project. Research has shown that only one-fifth of public elementary school students have access to salad bars and whole grains most of the week, while nearly 60 percent of high schoolers had access to snacks such as candy, cookies and ice cream. Read more in Bridging the Gap's elementary and secondary school surveys.
	Physical Activity Improves Academic Performance As policymakers work to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, these materials from RWJF summarize the most up-to-date research on the impact of physical education and physical activity on academic performance. An RWJF two-page brief examines how active kids do better in school. A research brief from Active Living Research offers a more in-depth look at research on physical activity and academics. A policy brief from Leadership for Health Communities outlines steps policymakers can take to ensure that children get the physical activity they need to succeed in the classroom. Surveys of secondary schools and elementary schools show lapses in physical education in schools.
	Marketing Food to Children The Interagency Working Group on Food Marketed to Children made recommendations this summer for how companies could improve the nutritional quality of foods they market to children. RWJF two-page brief: How does food and beverage marketing influence children's food choices? A new report from the Hudson Institute shows marketing healthier foods can drive profits for major food and beverage companies. View video of the release of the report. Read about how fast food and cereals are marketed to children in two reports from the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, Fast Food FACTS and Cereal FACTS.
	Scrutinizing Competitive Foods Competitive foods are the high-calorie, low-nutrition snacks sold in school vending machines, school stores and elsewhere in schools. They are largely exempt from federal nutrition requirements and are a contributor to childhood obesity. Briefs from Healthy Eating Research here and here summarize current research on the availability, nutritional content and impact of competitive foods. An RWJF policy brief reviews key research findings on competitive foods and school meals and makes policy recommendations. A study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine shows high-calorie drinks are widely available in elementary schools.

Obese adolescents are more likely to become obese adults. Among 16- and 17-year-olds, 80 percent of obese males and 92 percent of obese females will become obese adults, while only 21 percent of peers who are neither obese nor overweight will become obese adults.
Source: Journal of Adolescent Health

Student Access to Competitive Foods in Elementary Schools
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 02/20/12
The Nation Needs to Do More to Address Food Marketing to Children
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 02/15/12
Government and School Progress to Promote a Healthful Diet to American Children and Adolescents: A Comprehensive Review of the Available Evidence
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 02/15/12
Inviting Consumers to Downsize Fast-Food Portions Significantly Reduces Calorie Consumption
Health Affairs, 02/08/12
Where's the Sodium? There's too Much in Many Common Foods
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 02/01/12

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Health Policy Connection

Childhood Obesity Current Topics

Childhood Obesity Two-Page Briefs

Childhood Obesity Fast Fact

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