May 9/Elk Grove, Cal./News10 -- A new University of Illinois study is suggesting California's policies that ban junk food in school cafeterias are influencing teenagers' eating habits.

It has been five years since the crackdown, and researchers found high school students are eating an average of 160 calories fewer calories a day than kids in other states, a trend that could help reverse obesity trends.

They are also eating less fat and sugars. The study's author also noted the findings are encouraging for the Hispanic community, considering the high prevalence of obesity among Latino youth.

"Studies are really showing that we sort of stopped the growth in the obesity epidemic . . . that it's leveled off and hopefully these kids are taking a stronger interest in nutrition and their health," Student nutrition specialist Anne Gaffney, R.D., said.

Like at Elk Grove High School, California campuses do not sell sodas, unhealthy snacks and fried foods.

Menus instead feature fruits and vegetables, French fries that are baked and whole grains. Schools have even gotten rid of salt packets.

It seems like 160 fewer calories a day is nto much, but researchers said most children could avoid significant long-term weight gain by simply cutting out 100 to 200 extra calories a day.

However, students do bring junk food from home, and they consume only 25% of their calories at school.

The study's author also noted the findings are encouraging for the Hispanic community, considering the high prevalence of obesity among Latino youth.

 From the May 10, 2012, Prepared Foods’ Daily News