UNE’s Michele Polacsek studies food marketing in schools

The Journal of School Health published an article by Michele Polacsek Ph.D., M.H.S., associate professor in the University of New England Westbrook College of Health Professions in titled, “Investigating How to Align Schools’ Marketing Environments With Federal Standards for Competitive Foods.”

Polacsek assessed food marketing in three schools in Portland, Maine to determine whether they aligned with federal school nutrition standards. Studies have shown that school-based marketing influences the choices students make when it comes to nutrition, but until this point no study had been conducted to determine what resources are necessary to align school marketing environments with federal standards.

Polacsek’s research found that low monetary resources were required to remove the marketing not compliant with federal standards, and the study provided timely feedback for lawmakers to craft policies to address the issue.

To learn more about the University of New England’s Westbrook College of Health Professions visit www.une.edu/wchp

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions