According to research from Juice Plus, Connecticut is doing a pretty good job when it comes to giving kids a healthy nutritional start in life. The state ranks among the best in the country for childhood nutrition, coming in with a score of 68 and landing in the “very high” category.
The study created a Childhood Nutrition Index looking at several factors affecting children between the ages of one and five. Researchers considered things like fruit and vegetable consumption, sugary drink intake, access to nutritious food, child poverty and food insecurity. Basically, it wasn’t just about whether kids are eating their broccoli; it also looked at whether families can actually afford to put healthy food on the table.
Connecticut finished fifth overall, making it one of five New England states in the national top 12. New Hampshire took the top spot, followed by Vermont and Maine.
Here are the Top 10 states for childhood nutrition:
1. New Hampshire
2. Vermont
3. Maine
4. Washington
5. Connecticut
6. Minnesota
7. Alaska
8. Wisconsin
9. Rhode Island
10. Montana
New York, meanwhile, didn’t fare nearly as well. The Empire State scored 48, placing it in the “below average” category.
The research also found a pretty strong connection between economic hardship and children’s diets. States with higher levels of food insecurity and child poverty tended to have lower fruit and vegetable consumption and higher sugary drink consumption.
So, Connecticut parents can take at least a little victory lap here. Apparently, we’re doing something right when it comes to getting kids off to a healthy start.
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