■ Fresh, safe, and free drinking water should be available
at all times for children and adolescents, especially in
schools and on athletic fields, recreational facilities,
out-of-school time programs, and parks.
■ Sports drinks should not be available or advertised
throughout the school setting, and should not be
available as options for purchase from school vending
machines, school stores, the cafeteria, and other
school facilities. Exceptions may apply for students
participating in sports programs involving prolonged
vigorous physical activity.
■ School and community coaches, school nurses,
physicians, dietitians, and out-of-school time staff
and volunteers should help educate parents and
youths about the need to consume water instead of
sports drinks, except when participating in prolonged
vigorous physical activity.
■ Federal agencies should monitor the advertising and
promotion of sports drinks to ensure that product
health and nutrient claims are accurate and not
misleading. These products should not be advertised
directly to children and adolescents.
■ The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
should propose and finalize updated standards
for foods and beverages sold outside the federal
school meals program (through vending, à la carte,
school stores, and fundraisers). Beverages for sale in
elementary and middle schools should be limited to
water, nonfat or low-fat (1 percent or less) milk or
USDA-approved milk alternatives, and 100 percent
fruit juice with no added sugar. In high school
settings, USDA also might permit the sale of other
low-calorie beverages.