Poor Kids No Thinner after School-Food Law

Since California started restricting foods sold from school vending machines and snack bars, students have become a bit less likely to be overweight. But almost all of the change occurred in high-income neighborhoods, a study found. The study spanned the years 2001 through 2010. In 2004, California banned the sale of sugary drinks and high-fat milk in schools other than high schools. Further restrictions took effect in 2007. This law set limits on fat and sugar content of snack foods sold in schools. The study included 2.7 million fifth graders. Researchers looked at their body mass index, a measurement of weight in relationship to height. The proportion of students who were overweight or obese rose slightly over the whole study period, from 43.5% to 45.8%. But the growth was halted or reversed in the years after the 2 laws took effect.