Learn how the guidelines have progressed and been supported in 2008.
Progress Report: School Beverage Guidelines 2007-2008
The beverage industry published this second annual report on the implementation of the guidelines. The data measurement and statistics in the report were prepared by Keybridge Research LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based economic analysis and public policy research firm, under the direction of Dr. Robert Wescott. The three markers of progress are:
- Calories are coming out of schools. There has been a 58% cut in total calories contained in all beverages shipped to schools between 2004 and the 2007-2008 school year.
- The school beverage landscape is changing. There has been a 65% reduction in shipments of full-calorie soft drinks to schools during that time.
- School contracts are on track — In two years of a three-year implementation, 79% of all contracts between bottlers and schools or school districts have achieved compliance with the guidelines, on track for the three-year implementation plan.
By the Numbers: Stats from POS Survey, April-May 2007
- In a Public Opinion Strategies survey of 300 pediatricians and family physicians nationwide, 88% of doctors surveyed supported the national School Beverage Guidelines.
- In the same survey, 89% of dietitians and nutritionists support the national School Beverage Guidelines.
- Pediatricians and family physicians support the beverages provided in high schools by substantial margins:
- 98% support bottled water
- 97% support milk
- 85% support low-calorie juice
- 77% support low-calorie teas
- 76% support sports drinks
- 75% support 100% fruit juice
- 69% support diet soft drinks
- 60% support cold tea.
By the Numbers: Stats from POS Survey, February 2007
- In a Public Opinion Strategies survey of 700 parents nationwide, 82% of parents surveyed supported the School Beverage Guidelines. Parents preferred the School Beverage Guidelines over a more restrictive Institute of Medicine policy that allows only bottled water, 100% juice and low-fat milk in K-12 by a margin of 56%-42%.
- Parents consistently say that they support limits on younger children who aren’t ready to make the best choices, but believe high school students should have more choices. And they’re happy that the broader choices older students are given are still low-calorie, nutritious or functional.
- Parents support each of the beverages provided in high schools by substantial margins:
- 99% support bottled water
- 97% support 100% juice
- 96% support milk
- 83% support sports drinks
- 77% support low-calorie teas
- 62% support diet soft drinks.
Additional Numbers
- 3: Amount of main factors – diet, exercise and genetics – that contribute to obesity.
- 1: Percentage increase of calorie intake among adolescents in past 20 years, while obesity rates rose 10% , according to researchers at the University of North Carolina. During that same period, children’s activity levels declined 13%.