Legislators Take Aim At Junk Food In Schools

In an effort to reduce the rising rates of childhood obesity, Connecticut lawmakers are on the verge of adopting a ban on soda and junk food in public schools. The Connecticut ban would apply to all schools, including high schools and would prevent sales of soda and junk food in vending machines, school stores and cafeterias. The law would also mandate that children in kindergarten through elementary school receive 20 minutes of physical activity daily.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, at least 17 other states have introduced similar but weaker proposals. “Connecticut would be the first state to apply those standards to high schools,” said Margo Wootan, director of nutritional policy for the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “Most of the recently passed policies are limited in that they only apply to elementary and middle schools,” Ms Wootan said.

Last week Connecticut lawmakers in the House voted 88 to 55, after an eight-hour debate, attempting to pass a law banning soda and junk food in cafeterias, vending machines, and school stores; and requiring 20 minutes of physical activity for K–5 students. The bill headed to the Senate this week where it was expected to pass.

“By no stretch of the imagination does it solve all the problems, but it’s very important that we provide the right models in our schools,” said Senate President Pro Tem Donald E. Williams, Jr.

The topic was hotly debated and outlasted discussions on the death penalty and same-sex civil unions. Opponents argue that the legislation crossed a line, implementing a “Big Brother”-style mandate, which would be better handled by schools at the local level. Rep Lawrence Cafero, R-Norwalk, said that the legislation would not affect the obesity crisis when school menus offer selections such as cheeseburgers, pizza, chicken nuggets, and nachos.

Many state schools, including Newtown, have already taken their own steps to make food service junk free and to take soda out of the vending machines. Newtown Schools is one of the only districts in Fairfield County with a registered dietician.

Jill Paterson, whose salary is paid by Chartwells, the food service company for Newtown schools, is available to assist in all areas to provide nutrition education. More than 600 students this year were given nutrition education classes provided by Ms Paterson. She has also met with all school nurses and principals to discuss nutritional concerns, and she fields calls from parents and addresses concerns related to student food allergies.

Chartwells says it is committed to the “Balanced Choice” food program. Ms Paterson said that Newtown schools still offer cookies, cakes, brownies, ice cream, and chips; however, Chartwells has greatly expanded the offerings of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with salad bars and has reduced the number of a la carte items. She said that Chartwells has made an effort to provide students with healthier snack food choices. “For instance we offer sherbet push-ups, Italian ice, and fudgesicles, which are lower in fat. We also offer baked chips and honey wheat pretzels as well,” she added.

 “My goal is to have each child learn how to select a balanced meal and to eat portions in moderation,” Ms Paterson said. “Children need to learn to have a small brownie or pudding. Hopefully we’ve transitioned the students so they are eating more nutrient dense foods so it won’t be so much of a shock when the state mandates further reductions in junk food.”

John Prunier, regional manager for Chartwells, said that the vending machines were a big issue. According to Mr Prunier Chartwells has eliminated all carbonated soft drink beverages in all schools, including the high school, and has installed 100 percent juice drinks, flavored waters, and electrolyte beverages instead.

Soft drink companies lobbied fiercely against the new bill and many high schools felt they would lose money if sodas disappeared. After exhaustive discussions, lawmakers allowed a compromise that permits high school sales of diet soda and sports drinks on a limited basis.

Unconvinced that the ban is the correct approach to the obesity problem, Rep Konstantinos Diamantis, D-Bristol, said that he weighed 240 pounds as an eighth grader and could not participate in sports. He commented that he lost the weight through willpower.

“There’s a host of things that go into it,” he said. “Banning a particular food isn’t going to teach a child a proper form of nutrition.”

(This article includes reporting by Susan Coney and the AssociatedPress.)