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University of Illinois Health Policy Researcher Dr. Daniel Taber on whether junk food laws help children to eat healthier.
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-- childhood obesity study suggests school junk food laws may help -- kids obesity.
But who should be responsible for what our kids eat parents -- the government joining me now lead author of the study.
Doctor Daniel -- health policy research -- researcher at the University of Illinois.
Doctor thanks for coming on tonight what was the most surprising thing you found in the study.
I think the most surprising thing was how important and was for laws to be consistent over time.
We want to see -- stronger laws have a bigger impact but we saw that it wasn't just the laws had to be strong they had to be reinforced over time and across grade levels.
Our 'cause a lot of us.
-- -- -- -- And well I guess it.
To me say laws but laws about what laws that do what.
This is laws that set nutrition standards for foods and beverages that are sold in vending machines -- school stores and other venues around school outside of school meal programs.
So we're not talking about what you get at the cafeteria we're talking about what you get out of that vending machine -- or maybe at a store connected with the school.
And that clearly say that laws and -- do good and as we know 20% of elementary school students are obese or overweight.
And you say that the average BMI body mass index was the smallest in states with competitive food -- competitive meaning.
Strong.
How competitive the term competitors refers to foods sold in those venues you mentioned we use the term because they obviously compete with a federal school meal programs.
So that's -- the term comes from.
Our strong laws refers to laws that have very specific nutrition standards that are actually required by the state not just recommend those.
Still -- thinks more effective at controlling kids' food consumption mom and dad or you know whatever it is -- school happens to be selling that day in the vending machine.
I don't think it's an either or I think both parents and schools have a very pivotal role to play.
This definitely doesn't change the fact that parents have a lot of say in what their children eat and that they have to you have an active role in shaping -- -- diet.
What schools can also contribute in preventing obesity and reducing childhood obesity in the US.
You know what I found in staying in and looking at some of -- stories about your study which I found very interesting.
Is -- southern states had some of the strongest laws when it came to containing what -- calling I believed competitive foods foods and you know junk foods basically.
Does it pay off with lower BM IS.
Yeah that's been accused surprise to a lot of people a lot of people think that it's the more liberal states that have competitive through laws but in a lot of times.
It's actually the most conservative states in the south that have the strongest laws.
And obviously we saw positive impact in our study.
But there've also been studies in specific states like Arkansas.
Where they found positive results arkansas' been won the most aggressive states.
And passing laws to improve nutritional quality of school fruits and they've seemed positive results and their state.
Currently you know I it's interesting because that I've heard so many times that that you know all.
Folks in the south are overweight and fat sell your study prove something different doctor -- thanks for coming on.
Really appreciate your time tonight.
-- thank you.
