Preventing Childhood Obesity By Removing 'Junk' Foods From Schools

Childhood obesity is a major health issue that is grabbing headlines everywhere lately... and with good reason.  The prevalence of obesity in U.S. children has increased dramatically over the last couple of decades, so much so that about one-third of U.S. children are now considered overweight or obese.  There have been a number of strategies employed in the fight against childhood obesity with varying degrees of success. 

One such strategy was the removal of 'junk' foods from California schools.  However, the impact of this strategy on rates of childhood obesity has been uncertain until recently.  A new study published in Health Affairs, reports on the apparent success of this strategy.  Obesity researchers examined body mass index (BMI) information from 5th and 7th grade students in the Los Angeles Unified School District and California overall.  Information was examined for the years prior to enactment of these laws in comparison to BMI data after these laws were enacted.  The results showed:

• Obesity rates were increasing in all student groups (5th and 7th graders) before the policy became effective.
• After enactment of the 'junk' food policy, the increase in obesity incidence was substantially decreased in 7th grade students and 5th grade boys throughout California.
• The rate of obesity in 5th grade students from the Los Angeles Unified School District slowed down after enactment of these healthy eating policies.

The results of this study are good news in the fight against obesity.  By offering school age children healthier eating options, it appears possible to slowly reduce the rise in childhood obesity.  Of course, changing the eating environment in schools is only part of the battle.  At this point there is nothing to prevent children from making less than healthy food choices outside of the school environment.  To learn more about childhood obesity, you can visit the CDC's website or the We Can! national childhood obesity prevention program.