In the near future, Wayland High School may be swapping all of its sugary beverages and high-fat snack foods for other, healthier alternatives.  In 2008, nearly a third of Massachusetts youths were obese or overweight, as were more than half of Bay State adults. Prodded by this increasing childhood obesity, the State Senate has unanimously passed legislation that will ban the sale of junk food in school vending machines and snack bars.

The bill calls for nutritional standards to be put in place for food that is sold in school vending machines and snack bars during the school day. More specifically, it endorses the sale of nonfat and low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and other healthier options, while barring the sale of “junk food” such as chips, candy, and other foods typically perceived as unhealthy.

The regulations would extend to beverages as well, promoting non-sweetened water, 100 percent fruit juices, and drinks with no additives or carbonation,  in place of their sugar-laced counterparts.

The bill will only affect food sold at school during school hours. Snacks sold after school and bake sales will not be affected.

Reaction to the legislation at Wayland High School was mixed. Some students believe that the ban would do little to reduce childhood obesity. “I feel like it wouldn’t make much of a difference,” said junior JoAnna Hermanns. “We can just go and get unhealthy food the night before and bring it to school.”

Senior Merritt Elmasri is of the same opinion. “I think it’s a terrible idea,” he said. “It’s the person’s choice what food to get from the vending machine.”

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Freshman Olivia Shaw disagrees. “I think it’s a good idea because teenagers don’t often take into account the fact that if they eat too much junk food it could hurt them in the long run.”

According to Food Service Director Cheryl Judd, Wayland is already well on its way to meeting all of the proposed guidelines of the junk food ban. “I’m not too concerned about meeting the guidelines,” she said. “Wayland is close to what they’re asking for.”

Many nutritional changes have already been made in the school district. All Wayland schools now offer homemade muffins and real fruit. The elementary schools have replaced jello with fruit as their main dessert offering.

Following voluntary guidelines suggested by the Massachusetts Action for Healthy Kids, Wayland also reduced drink sizes, lowering sports drink sizes from 20 ounces to 12 ounces and juice sizes to under 10 ounces.

Healthier alternatives to traditional snacks, like low-fat baked chips, are available to students. Even the cream cheese sold as a bagel spread is a low-fat version.

While Wayland High School has made much progress in its pursuit of healthy nutrition for all its students, Judd believes that in order for kids to eat healthy all the time, changes to school lunches can’t do it alone.

“I think it has to happen at home first. If we offer couscous or hummus and kids aren’t used to it at home, they’re not going to eat it in schools. Everyone has to be a partner,” she said.

The Senate bill differs slightly from an earlier version of the bill approved by the State House of Representatives because of an amendment in the Senate bill that highlights the value of physical education programs in schools. Before the “Junk Food Ban” can be signed by Governor Deval Patrick, the two versions of the bill must be reconciled.