Jackson Free Press

The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta have named Mississippi one of the top states in the country for providing healthy, nutritious foods in secondary schools. The CDC report, "Profiles 2008," looked at characteristics of health programs in secondary schools, including health education, physical education, health services, health and safe school environments, and family and community involvement.

Mississippi scored high percentages in schools that prohibited all tobacco use at all time in all locations; schools with a health education curriculum that addresses all eight national standards for health education; schools that had a school health council, committee or team; schools that did not sell less nutritious foods and beverages anywhere outside the school food service program and schools in which students could not purchase soda pop or fruit drinks and candy and salty snacks, according to a release.