That will be the case as long as schools receive a cut of the money that children deposit in school vending machines so they can snack on candy, chips and soda that are laden with sugar, fat and empty carbohydrates.

Utah got an "F" grade from the Center for Science in the Public Interest because the state office of education does nothing to oversee what school districts do, or don't do, to limit the types of food sold in vending machines.

That could change if the State Board of Education adopts rules recommended by a committee to restrict what schools can allow to be sold in vending machines on school campuses. We believe the board has a clear responsibility to adopt such rules statewide, to help fight a growing epidemic of childhood obesity and to promote better eating habits.

But what if nuts, cheese, yogurt, fruit, low-calorie fruit and vegetable juices don't bring in the money that Baby Ruths, Cheetos and Coke do? Many districts nationwide report no drop in revenue; it seems kids are receptive to healthy choices. In any case, children's health is more important than money.

Some committee members worry about protecting students' freedom to choose what they want to eat. In reality, Utah students don't have much choice now, since most machines provide few healthy options. Besides, schools regularly restrict activities that could threaten children's health and safety, so why not the foods that can make them fat and lead to life-threatening eating habits?

The hypocrisy of teaching the value of healthful eating in the classroom, when out in the hallway schools are essentially hawking some of the same dietary evils those lessons caution against, cannot be lost on junior high and high school students. Yet, which of the conflicting messages do you think they choose to ignore?

Twenty-eight other states already restrict junk food. Utah should join their ranks. Leaving it to the districts hasn't worked. Only districts in Salt Lake City and Wasatch County have policies to eventually eliminate high-risk munchies.

There are laws to keep drug dealers away from schools. So let's stop schools from dealing in unhealthy food.