21 Apr Healthier Standards for School Meals and Snacks Did Not Impact School Revenue Long Term
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Juliana F. Cohen
Juliana F.W. Cohen, ScD, ScM
Merrimack College, Department of Health Sciences
North Andover MA 01845
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Nutrition
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Dr. Cohen: Back in 2012, Massachusetts enacted both the updated USDA standards for school meals and healthier standards for snacks in schools that were similar to the upcoming, fully implemented national “Smart Snacks” standards. We examined the impact of these standards on school food revenues and school meal participation.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Dr. Cohen: After schools had time to acclimate to the changes, schools revenues remained high. While students spent less money on snacks, more children were now participating in the lunch program so school food revenues were not impacted long-term.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Cohen: With healthier meals now available to students in schools and with increasing participation making it more normative, clinicians can encourage their school-aged patients and their parents to consider school foods as a good option for breakfast or lunch during the school year.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Cohen: Future studies should examine the long-term impact of both the healthier snacks and school meals on children’s diets both inside and outside of school.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dr. Cohen: This study adds to a growing body of evidence in support of USDA’s healthier standards for school foods. Policies that weaken these healthier standards based on concerns about school food revenues do not appear warranted.
Citation:
Healthier Standards for School Meals and Snacks
Cohen, Juliana F.W. et al.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine , Volume 0 , Issue 0
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.02.031
Published Online: April 14, 2016
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
More Medical Research Interviews on MedicalResearch.com
[wysija_form id=”5″]
Last Updated on April 21, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD