Abstract
BackgroundThe school food environment is important to target as less healthful food and beverages are widely available at schools. This study examined whether the availability of specific food/beverage items was associated with a number of school environmental factors.MethodsPrincipals from elementary (n = 369) and middle/high schools (n = 118) in British Columbia (BC), Canada completed a survey measuring characteristics of the school environment. Our measurement framework integrated constructs from the Theories of Organizational Change and elements from Stillman’s Tobacco Policy Framework adapted for obesity prevention. Our measurement framework included assessment of policy institutionalization of nutritional guidelines at the district and school levels, climate, nutritional capacity and resources (nutritional resources and participation in nutritional programs), nutritional practices, and school community support for enacting stricter nutritional guidelines. We used hierarchical mixed-effects logistic regression analyses to examine associations with the availability of fruit, vegetables, pizza/hamburgers/hot dogs, chocolate candy, sugar-sweetened beverages, and french fried potatoes.ResultsIn elementary schools, fruit and vegetable availability was more likely among schools that have more nutritional resources (OR = 6.74 and 5.23, respectively). In addition, fruit availability in elementary schools was highest in schools that participated in the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program and the BC Milk program (OR = 4.54 and OR = 3.05, respectively). In middle/high schools, having more nutritional resources was associated with vegetable availability only (OR = 5.78). Finally, middle/high schools that have healthier nutritional practices (i.e., which align with upcoming provincial/state guidelines) were less likely to have the following food/beverage items available at school: chocolate candy (OR = .80) and sugar-sweetened beverages (OR = .76).ConclusionsSchool nutritional capacity, resources, and practices were associated with the availability of specific food/beverage items in BC public schools. Policies targeting the school environment are increasingly being considered as one of the strategies used to address childhood obesity, as a result it is important to further understand the factors associated with the availability of specific food/beverage items at school.
Highlights
The school food environment is important to target as less healthful food and beverages are widely available at schools
Differences were expected given that food and beverages are more likely available in higher grades [5,31]. Note we examined these associations in schools located in British Columbia (BC), Canada which has a markedly different school food environment than other countries
School environmental factors Participating middle/high schools were significantly larger than the elementary schools (Table 1)
Summary
The school food environment is important to target as less healthful food and beverages are widely available at schools. Overwhelming evidence demonstrates a worldwide increase in childhood obesity [1] and Canada is no exception to this trend [1]. Despite recent changes to improve the school food environment, the availability of some high fat food such as pizza and hamburgers, remains alarmingly high in U.S schools (73.9% and 82.6%, respectively for elementary and middle/ high schools) [5]. Similar to U.S schools, Canadian elementary schools have fewer vending machines; less healthful food and beverages are widely available to all grades as they are made available through other outlets (e.g., cafeteria, school stores) [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
