Good news for kids! A recent survey completed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that fewer middle school and high schools across the U.S. are offering fatty, salty snacks and soft drinks to their students.  The survey of School Health Profiles compiled data from principals and health teachers nationwide. The results of the survey showed that between 2006 and 2008, the median percentage of middle and high schools that did not sell soda or other sugary drinks increased from 38 percent to 63 percnet. During the same time period, the median percentage of schools that did not sell candy or fatty snacks also increased from 46 percent to 64 percent.

 

As you might expect, the results varied from state to state. Less than half of the secondary schools surveyed in Connecticut, California and Maine allowed fatty snacks and sugary drinks to be sold on their campuses while the majority of schools in Utah, Kansas, Idaho and Nebraska still offered these unhealthy selections. The greatest strides for healthy kids were made in Mississippi and Tennessee. The CDC reports that in Mississippi, the percentage of secondary schools that did not sell sugary drinks increased from 22 percent in 2006 to 75 percent in 2008. During the same time period in Tennessee, the numbers rose from 27 percent to 75 percent.

 

So it seems that schools are getting the message and getting unhealthy foods out of the cafeteria. That's great news for kids and for the planet!