Media cover Michele Polacsek's research on the effectiveness of junk food ban in Maine schools

A study by UNE Associate Professor of Public Health Michele Polacsek, PhD, MHS, was widely covered by state media this week. The study revealed that despite a statewide ban in effect since 2007, widespread marketing of non-nutritious foods and beverages still occurs in Maine high schools.

The results of the study were released March 7, 2012 by Polacsek at the Physical Activity and Nutrition Summit 2012 in Augusta, Maine.

Polacsek told WCSH6 TV that "many of the school administrators that we spoke with were surprised to see how much marketing there was in their schools. Often times when you're in an environment every day, you don't notice the marketing. It's quite insidious."

Polacsek added that most school officials do want to get that marketing out of their schools, but it can be difficult for them to find the resources to replace scoreboards or vending machines, for instance. She said UNE is hoping to get some grant money to help schools find ways to comply with the state law.

In addition to WCSH6, the study was covered by WLBZ2 TV, MPBN public radio, the Bangor Daily News, and the Associated Press. The AP story was picked up online by a number of other media outlets, including the Boston Globe, WGME13 TV, the Portland Press Herald, Morning Sentinel, Kennebec Journal, and Seacoast online. More on the study.

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The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.