Assessment of a Districtwide Policy on Availability of Competitive Beverages in Boston Public Schools, Massachusetts, 2013.

Introduction: Competitive beverages are drinks sold outside of the federally reimbursable school meals program and include beverages sold in vending machines, a la carte lines, school stores, and snack bars. Competitive beverages include sugar-sweetened beverages, which are associated with overweight and obesity. We described competitive beverage availability 9 years after the introduction in 2004 of district-wide nutrition standards for competitive beverages sold in Boston Public Schools.

Grab a Cup, Fill It Up! An Intervention to Promote the Convenience of Drinking Water and Increase Student Water Consumption During School Lunch.

Objectives: We evaluated a low-cost strategy for schools to improve the convenience and appeal of drinking water.

Methods: We conducted a group-randomized, controlled trial in 10 Boston, Massachusetts, schools in April through June 2013 to test a cafeteria-based intervention. Signage promoting water and disposable cups were installed near water sources.

Diffusion of an integrated health education program in an urban school system: planet health.

Objective: Assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability of Planet Health, an interdisciplinary, integrated health education curriculum implemented in six public middle schools.

Methods: Workshops on Planet Health implementation were attended by 129 teachers (language arts, math, science, and social studies) over three school years (1999-2000, 2000-2001, and 2001-2002). Questionnaires were administered post-implementation and in the fall and spring of each year.