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AP and Mary Richards reportingFederal data shows Utah schools give teens more access to unhealthy foods and drinks than anywhere else in the country.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 86 percent of schools in the state allow students to buy soda. The national average is 63 percent.
Eighty-three percent of Utah schools offer chocolate candy, compared to the national average of 40 percent.
Utah Child Nutrition Programs director Luann Shipley recently told KSL Newsradio they are trying to put in healthier options. "We need to create an atmosphere where kids learn to like those things that are really good for them," she said.
One bright spot: Utah schools are above-average when it comes to offering healthy drinks such as milk and bottled water.
The state school board last year decided to allow schools to prohibit unhealthy food or drinks. Coke and Pepsi officials have also said they plan to remove sodas from elementary and middle schools next year.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
(The Salt Lake Tribune and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
