School District Policies and Adolescents' Soda Consumption

Abstract

Purpose Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a significant source of calories and added sugars for youth ages 14–18 years in the United States. This study examined the relationship between district-level policies and practices and students’ consumption of regular soda, one type of SSB, in 12 large urban school districts. Methods Data from the 2012 School Health Policies and Practices Study and 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System were linked by district. The outcome variable was soda consumption and exposure variables were district policies. We used multivariable logistic regression analyses to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) after controlling for student characteristics and district free/reduced-price meal eligibility. Results About 18% of students reported consuming regular soda at least once per day. Most districts required high schools to have nutrition education, maintain closed campuses, and required/recommended that schools restrict promotional products and sale of beverages. Fewer districts required/recommended that schools offer healthful alternative beverages. Students in districts that restricted promotional products had lower odds of regular soda consumption (AOR = .84, 95% CI = .71–1.00), as did students in districts that restricted access to SSBs and offered healthful beverages when other beverages were available (AOR = .72, 95% CI = .54–.93, AOR = .76, 95% CI = .63–.91). Conclusions This study demonstrates that certain district-level policies are associated with student consumption of regular soda. These findings add to a growing consensus that policies and practices that influence the availability of healthier foods and beverages are needed across multiple settings.

A comparison of drinking behavior using a harmonized methodology (Liq.In 7 ) in six countries

“…Other studies [38, 40] have shown that water is consumed in the largest volumes in schools; however, these studies were conducted in countries that have legislation on what types of drinks are available in schools. Interestingly, [19] concluded that schools were a limited source of energy-dense beverages, especially when policies were in place to reduce their availability [46, 47]. However, these, and most other studies on this topic, have been conducted in USA, unlike the present intercontinental study.…”

District Policies and Practices Vary in Their Association With Adolescents' Consumption of Milk and 100% Fruit Juice

“…Summary statistics for the district policies are presented in Table 1, which is reproduced with permission [9]. Across the 12 districts, a majority (9 of 12) required that schools restrict the times SSBs can be sold in all venues and that schools maintain closed campuses (8 of 12).…”

“… These districts were Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami-Dade County, Milwaukee, New York City, Palm Beach County, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle. Table 1 is modified with permission from the authors of an article that was developed using data from these same 12 districts [9]. …”

“…Research describing the relationship between state- and district-level beverage policies and student-level beverage consumption has primarily evaluated the extent to which these policies contribute to lower SSB availability and consumption [7–9]. Studies have consistently found lower school-based access to SSBs in states and districts with policies that restricted the sales of such beverages [7].…”

Maximizing School Policies to Reduce Youth Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

“…In their article, "School District Policies and Adolescents' Soda Consumption," published in this month's issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health, Miller et al [6] provide timely data regarding the role of school nutrition policies in influencing students' dietary behaviors. In their cross-sectional examination of data from a nationally representative sample of schools and students, the authors found that adolescents' soda intake was lower in school districts that (1) restricted promotional products; (2) limited access to SSBs; and (3) offered healthful beverages as an alternative when other beverages were available.…”