Student access to competitive foods in elementary schools: trends over time and regional differences.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the availability of competitive foods in elementary schools.


METHODS
Nationally representative mail-back survey.


METHODS
United States public and private elementary schools during the 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 school years.


METHODS
Survey respondents at 2647 public and 1205 private elementary schools.


METHODS
The availability of foods offered in competitive venues.


RESULTS
Elementary school students' access to foods in competitive venues on campus (vending machines, school stores, snack bars, or à la carte lines) remained constant over time. As of the 2009-2010 school year, approximately half of all public and private elementary school students could purchase foods in 1 or more competitive venues on campus. Sugary foods were available to almost all students with access to competitive foods on campus. Public elementary school students in the South had more access to competitive food venues and greater availability of salty and sweet products in those venues compared with students in other parts of the country; however, they also had greater availability of healthier foods, such as fruits and vegetables.


CONCLUSIONS
Many elementary school students can purchase competitive foods on campus. Most students with access to competitive venues could purchase sweet products, but healthier foods were less widely available.
Bridging the Gap Research Program, Health Policy Center, Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60608, USA. lindsey_r_turner@yahoo.com
Lindsey R
LR
Turner
Frank J
FJ
Chaloupka
D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004034:Diet Surveys; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D005509:Food Dispensers, Automatic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005522:Food Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D011153:Population; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014675:Vegetables
D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D012982:Sodium, Dietary