More schools in the United States are replacing French fries with fruit and soda with water in their cafeterias, according to a survey released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public health officials believe schools still need to make more improvements to create healthier environments for students.

The School Health Policies and Programs Study found that since the last report in 2000 more schools offer nutritious cafeteria selections, require recess and have rules restricting smoking.

Most significantly, 30 percent of school districts have banned junk food from vending machines, said Laura Kann, a senior researcher on the study, compared with 4 percent in 2000.

“We’re interested in providing a supportive environment for kids that will reinforce what they’re learning in school,” Kann said. “If less junk food is available to them, it will be easier for them to understand how to eat healthier.”

Champaign and Urbana schools have also made efforts to improve students’ health.

Jeanine Wheeler, director of food services for the Champaign School District, was hired last year and has already added more fresh fruits and vegetables, bottled water, skim milk and a salad bar at the elementary level.

Wheeler said there have been fewer changes made at the high schools because most students do not eat from the cafeteria. Instead, many bring sack lunches, eat off campus or skip lunch to attend activities held during lunch periods.

Eva Acheson is a PTA member at Central High School and parent of a sophomore at the school. Acheson said there are many fast food restaurants near Central, and her son usually eats lunch at one of them or at a friend’s house.

“I think it would be healthier if students ate in the cafeteria instead of driving to a fast food restaurant,” Acheson said.

The Urbana School District is also working to improve cafeteria selections.

“We now have salad bars in all elementary schools,” said Sandy Martin, the district nurse. “I’ve noticed an increase in students getting food from the salad bar, in addition to the nutritional lunch they receive in the cafeteria line.”

Rebecca Roach, a teaching associate in food science and human nutrition, believes exposing elementary-aged students to good nutrition will affect their choices later in life.

“I think that what we eat when we get to be adults is based on what we learn as children,” Roach said. “The sooner children learn good nutrition and practice it, the better they will follow it as adults.”

While schools have made improvements, there is still room for progress, said Anita Blankenship, a spokeswoman at the communications office at the CDC.

“Seventy-seven percent still sell soda and fruit drinks, and 61 percent sell salty snacks,” Blankenship said. “Schools need to work to cut these numbers down.”

Kann said schools also need to improve tobacco policies. In 2000, 46 percent of schools prohibited tobacco use at schools and school functions. In 2006, 64 percent banned it.

“While this is a nice increase in six years, data still shows that more than one-third of schools still don’t have laws about tobacco use,” she said. “This is not providing the type of environment that’s supportive of tobacco-use prevention.”

Kann believes that while schools can contribute to improving the nutritional awareness of their students, it is ultimately up to the parents to teach their children to eat healthy foods.

“Parents need to work and be partners with schools to implement nutritious school programs,” Kann said. “They need to work together to reinforce a message about healthy food choices for our children.”