School kids still have access to sugary drinks, whole milk

About half of elementary school children in the USA could buy high-fat milk, sodas, sports drinks and fruit drinks in school à la carte lines, snack bars, vending machines and stores during 2008-2009, a new study shows.At some schools, high-fat milk is no longer being offered in the regular lunch line but is available in the à la carte line, says the study's lead author, Lindsey Turner of the University of Illinois-Chicago. Whole milk
has 60 more calories than non-fat milk in a typical school-size carton, she says.In recent years there has been a push by public-health advocates and nutritionists to encourage schools to serve healthful beverages. A report from the Institute of Medicine recommended that only water, 100% fruit or vegetable juice, non-fat or 1% milk should be offered in à la carte lines, stores and vending machines at school.Turner and colleagues conducted a national survey of hundreds of elementary schools over three years. Among findings reported online today in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine: Only 16% of elementary students in public schools in 2008-2009 could purchase just the beverages recommended by the institute.But since the new study was done, bottlers have greatly reduced the shipment of high-calorie drinks (they don't usually supply milk) to schools, says Rob Wescott, a consultant for the American Beverage Association. The biggest drop has occurred in the past 12 months, he says.Margo Wootan of the Center for Science in the Public Interest says, "There has been improvement, but no school should have sugary drinks and high-fat milk."Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference.