That's Fit

I told you yesterday that schools are doing a better job of meeting the nutritional needs of its students. This is true -- some progress is definitely evident. Still, 20 states are failing when it comes to serving up healthy meals and snacks.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, issuer of America's school nutrition report card, did not assign any perfect As. But Kentucky and Oregon were given an A-. Recipients of a B+ include Nevada, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Washington, and New Mexico. Those receiving a B are New Jersey, Arizona, and Tennessee. Six other states got a B-, one got a C+, three others and the District of Columbia were handed a C, and two more took home a C-. Seven states received Ds. Overall, only 11 states have nutrition plans that apply all day to all grade levels throughout school campuses.

Schools are required to comply with USDA guidelines for nutritional meals, but this agency has no authority over foods sold outside the cafeteria or outside of meal times. And while the USDA policy doesn't allow foods of minimal nutritional value (FMNV) to be sold in food service areas during meal times, these foods can be sold at any other time or place. FMNV include soft drinks, jellybeans, and popsicles -- anything with less than five percent of the Reference Daily Intake of eight different nutrients. This criteria does not eliminate junk foods like candy bars from the nation's cafeterias, though.

So what are Kentucky and Oregon doing right? They're serving one percent or fat-free milk and uncarbonated, noncaloric water and fruit/vegetable juices that are 100 percent juice. They are limiting portion sizes, restricting access to fast foods, and allowing no more than 30 percent of students' calories to come from fat. These states say no food can have more than 10 percent of its calories derived from saturated fat or contain more than 14 grams of sugar, excluding fruit. Sodium levels are also strictly monitored.

Guess what? Last year, Oregon ranked among the F states for having no specific nutrition plan. They'd been failing for nearly six years before they got a grip. Given the growth of children's waistlines and the health implications inherent in unhealthy eating, it's imperative all other states get a handle on nutrition too -- before another six years pass by.