LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- The Arkansas Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved new school nutrition standards that limit students' access to vending machines and put a lid on sugared drinks.

The new rules also require school districts to begin implementing programs to provide 30 minutes of physical activity each day for students in kindergarten through 12th grade by the end of the upcoming school year.

A state study last year showed that 40 percent of Arkansas 450,00 students are obese or overweight.

The new rules make vending machines off limits to students from middle school through high school until 30 minutes after the final lunch period. Vending machines are banned from elementary schools.

The rules also limit soft drinks sold in vending machines at school to 12 ounces and require at least half the products sold from machines to be of sound nutritional value.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)