Interventions to Get Healthier Foods and Beverages in Schools are Cost-Effective

The Community Guide has conducted a systematic review of the economic evidence for an effective intervention to increase the availability of healthier foods and beverages in schools. The evidence shows meal interventions and fruit and vegetable snack interventions to be cost effective.

The systematic review of economic evidence for meal interventions and fruit and vegetable snack interventions included seven studies (four from the United States, one from Norway, one from the Netherlands, and one from Taiwan). All monetary values for both systematic reviews are reported in 2016 U.S. dollars.

Obesity now affects 1 in 6 children and adolescents in the United States (CDC, 2017). Children who have obesity are more likely to become adults with obesity (CDC, 2017), putting them at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and asthma.

For More Information

• The Community Guide
  • Meal or Fruit and Vegetable Snack Interventions to Increase Healthier Foods and Beverages Provided by Schools
• One Pager: Interventions to Increase Availability of Healthier Foods and Beverages in Schools use this one-pager as a quick reference
• Twitter @CPSTF– official account for The Community Preventive Services Task Force