WASHINGTON — Spurred by the rising rate of obesity among American youth and the increasing availability of high-calorie, low-nutrient products on school grounds, a new report by the Institute of Medicine proposes a set of nutritional standards for ‘competitive’ foods and drinks available in schools. The standards promote consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat or low-fat dairy products and limit the amount of saturated fat, salt, added sugars, and total calories. The standards also restrict the sale of caffeinated items. Developed by an IOM committee at the request of Congress, the standards apply to a la carte cafeteria items, products sold in vending machines and at school stores, and other foods and drinks that are available outside of — and therefore compete with — federally reimbursable school meals, which already must conform to some nutrition guidelines. The proposed standards take into account the varying needs and responsibility levels of children and teens — for example, by limiting the sale of caffeine-free diet soda to high schools after school only, and by recommending smaller juice portions for younger children. ‘The alarming increase in childhood obesity rates has galvanized parents and schools across the nation to find […]