Beverage patterns and trends among school-aged children in the US, 1989-2008

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High intake of sugar-sweetened beverages in childhood is linked to increased risk of obesity and type II diabetes later in life. Using three nationally representative surveys of dietary intake, we investigated beverage patterns and trends among US school-aged children from 1989/91 to 2007/08.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>3, 583 participants ages 6-11 y old were included. We reported per capita trends in beverage consumption, percent consuming, and amount per consumer for the following categories of beverages: sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), caloric nutritional beverages (CNB) and low calorie beverages (LCB). Statistically significant differences were tested using the Student's t test in Stata 11.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>While per capita kcal contribution from total beverages remained constant over the study period, per capita consumption of SSBs increased and CNBs decreased in similar magnitude. The substantial increase in consumption of certain SSBs, such as fruit drinks and soda, high fat high sugar milk, and sports drinks, coupled with the decrease in consumption of high fat low sugar milk was responsible for this shift. The percent consuming SSBs as well as the amount per consumer increased significantly over time. Per capita intake of total milk declined, but the caloric contribution from high fat high sugar milk increased substantially. Among ethnicities, important differences in consumption trends of certain SSBs and 100% juice indicate the complexity in determining strategies for children's beverage calorie reduction.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>As upward trends of SSB consumption parallel increases in childhood obesity, educational and policy interventions should be considered.</p

Prevalence and Types of School‐Based Out‐of‐School Time Programs at Elementary Schools and Implications for Student Nutrition and Physical Activity

BACKGROUND Out‐of‐school time (OST) programs are an important setting for supporting student health and academic achievement. This study describes the prevalence and characteristics of school‐based OST programs, which can inform efforts to promote healthy behaviors in this setting. METHODS A nationally representative sample of public elementary schools (N = 640) completed surveys in 2013‐2014. Administrators reported on OST programs and policies at their school. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the prevalence of school‐based OST programs, adjusting for school characteristics. Among schools with OST programs (N = 475), chi‐square tests identified school characteristics associated with having an OST policy about physical activity or nutrition. RESULTS Three fourths of elementary schools (75.6%) had a full‐ or partial‐year school‐based OST program, with 30.8% having both. Full‐ and partial‐year programs were significantly less prevalent in rural and township areas versus urban settings. Only 27.5% of schools with OST programs reported having physical activity and/or nutrition policies. CONCLUSIONS Most US elementary schools have an on‐site OST program, but disparities in access exist, and most lack policies or awareness of existing policies regarding physical activity and nutrition. To maximize OST programs\u27 potential benefits, strategies are needed to increase access to programs and physical activity and/or nutrition policy adoption