Iowans Fit for LifeActive and Eating Smart

Programs and Resources

An Apple a Day and Other Small Steps

Nutrition Environment Measures Study (NEMS)

Original tools developed to assess the nutrition environment of restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores

Developed by Emory University with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

http://www.sph.emory.edu/nems

NEMS-V

Tool developed to assess vending machines that mirrors the other NEMS tools

Developed by Iowa State University Extension and Iowa Dept. of Public Health with funding through Wellmark Foundation grant (2008-2010)

NEMS-V

Category DescriptionBeverages/drinksFruits and vegetablesRefrigerator/frozen (ie. yogurt/ ice cream) Salty snack (ie: chips, nuts)Sweet snacks/pastries/candyEntrees and sandwiches

Green

Provides at least one serving of fruit, vegetable, and/or whole grains or non-fat/low-fat dairy products and meets the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 

Must also meet all of the following criteria: ¨ ≤200 calories per portion as packaged ¨ No more than 35 percent of total calories from fat ¨ <10 percent of total calories from saturated fat ¨ Zero trans fat (less than or equal to 0.5 grams per serving ¨ ≤35 percent of calories from total sugars, except for yogurt with no more than 30

grams of total sugars, per 8 oz portion as packaged ¨ Sodium content of 200 mg or less per portion as packaged Rationale¨ Foods in this category are considered Tier 1 foods according to the

Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines and are consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Additional green guidelines for sweet and salty snacks, pastries and candy: ¨ Portion size ≤1.5 oz and ≤3 grams fat per serving or portion size as

packaged      

Yellow

Does not provide at least one serving of fruit, vegetable, and/or whole grains or non-fat/low-fat dairy products, but does meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  Must also meet all of the following criteria:

¨ ≤200 calories per portion as packaged ¨ No more than 35 percent of total calories from fat ¨ <10 percent of total calories from saturated fat ¨ Zero trans fat (less than or equal to 0.5 grams per serving ¨ ≤35 percent or less of calories from total sugars ¨ Sodium content of 200 mg or less per portion as packaged Rationale¨ Food in this category are considered Tier 2 foods according to the

IOM guidelines and are consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

 Additional yellow guidelines for sweet and salty snacks, pastries and candy: ¨ ≤200 calories, ≤7 grams fat, and ≤17 grams sugar per portion as

packaged

Red

Does not meet criteria for green or yellow foods or beverages

NEMS-V Tool

Directions Vending Location Cover Page Individual Machine Cover Page Food and Beverage Coding Summary Sheets Rationale Food and Beverage Recording page Food Reference Sheet

NEMS-V Features

Website toolkit Online recording Award recognition for individual machines

and vending location Computer generated report for vending

location and suggestions for next steps to improve vending food choices

Mini-grant and award recognition through Live Healthy Iowa

Website Features

Vendor Communication Red to Green Foods Color Coded Foods and Beverages Rationale for Foods and Beverages Promotional Ideas Success Stories Vending Assessment Tool Resources

Recognition – Machine and Location

Machine Bronze – 30% of vending slots are yellow or

green foods/beverages Silver – 40% of vending slots are yellow or

green foods/beverages Gold – 50% of vending slots are yellow or

green foods/beverages

Location – all vending machines have 30%, 40% or 50% yellow or green foods/beverages

Vending Report Card

Will include a summary of all machines at each location

Will tell how many yellow or green foods need to be added to each machine to achieve an award recognition level

Will identify next steps to improve vending choices

Timeline

NEMS-V website live in January to coincide with Live Healthy Iowa challenge

Regional trainings for NEMS-C (convenience store), NEMS-R (kids menus), and NEMS-V (vending) in April