A study has found controlling snack choices in schools leads to skinnier kids. States have different laws regarding the sale of foods and beverages in school cafeterias, and researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago studied laws in different states that govern what types of food and beverages can be sold outside of school meal programs.

Dr. Daniel Taber says states with laws that list specific nutrition standards have children who are less overweight or obese than states that don't. Dr. Taber says the average percentage of weight change is over 2 pounds for a 5th-8th grader who is 5 feet tall.

Dr. Taber says many of the states with the toughest laws actually have higher obesity rates. He says many southern states realized the problem and are taking the appropriate measures. Taber says Arkansas, North Carolina and Mississippi have recently gained attention for their tougher nutrition laws in schools.

Taber says students in California have healthier dietary intake at school, which results in few overweight and obese kids.