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. 2005 Nov;2 Spec no(Spec No):A14.
Epub 2005 Nov 1.

The vending and à la carte policy intervention in Maine public high schools

Anne-Marie Davee  1 , Janet E Whatley Blum, Rachel L Devore, Christina M Beaudoin, Lori A Kaley, Janet L Leiter, Debra A Wigand
Affiliations

The vending and à la carte policy intervention in Maine public high schools

Anne-Marie Davee et al. Prev Chronic Dis. 2005 Nov.

Abstract

Background: A healthy school nutrition environment may be important for decreasing childhood overweight. This article describes a project to make healthier snacks and beverages available in vending machines and à la carte programs in Maine public high schools.

Context: Seven public high schools in Maine volunteered to participate in this project. Four schools made changes to the nutrition environment, and three schools that served as controls did not. The nutrition guidelines were to offer only low-fat (not more than 30% of total calories from fat) and low-sugar (not more than 35% by weight of sugar) items in vending machines and à la carte programs.

Methods: Strategies to implement the project included early communications with school officials, monetary stipends for participation, identification of a school liaison, and a committee at each school to promote the healthy changes. Baseline nutrient content and sales of all competitive foods and beverages were assessed to develop the guidelines for changes in the four schools. Student volunteers at all seven schools were measured for height, weight, diet quality, and physical activity level to assess the impact of the change to the nutrition environment. Baseline measures were taken in the spring semester of 2004. Nutrition changes were made to the à la carte programs and vending machines in the four intervention schools at the start of the fall semester of 2004. Follow-up nutrition assessment and student data collection occurred in the spring semester of 2005.

Consequences: Healthy changes in vending machines were more easily achieved than those made in the à la carte programs. Technical assistance and ongoing support were essential for successful implementation of this intervention.

Interpretation: It is possible to improve the nutrition environment of Maine public high schools. Stakeholder support is essential to sustain healthy changes.

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Figures

Photo of vending machine snack selection before intervention
Figure
Sample vending machine at a Maine public high school before (left) and after (right) implementation of the Vending and à la carte Policy Intervention, 2004. Only food items that met established nutrition criteria were available in vending machines postintervention.
Photo of vending machine snack selection before intervention
Figure
Sample vending machine at a Maine public high school before (left) and after (right) implementation of the Vending and à la carte Policy Intervention, 2004. Only food items that met established nutrition criteria were available in vending machines postintervention.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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