Sze Lin Yoong1, Nicole K Nathan2, Rebecca J Wyse3, Sarah J Preece4, Christopher M Williams5, Rachel L Sutherland2, John H Wiggers2, Tessa M Delaney4, Luke Wolfenden2. 1. Hunter New England Population Health; Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle. Electronic address: serene.yoong@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au. 2. Hunter New England Population Health; Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle. 3. Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle. 4. Hunter New England Population Health. 5. Hunter New England Population Health; Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle; George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Schools represent a valuable setting for interventions to improve children's diets, as they offer structured opportunities for ongoing intervention. Modifications to the school food environment can increase purchasing of healthier foods and improve children's diets. This study examines the availability of healthy food and drinks, implementation of pricing and promotion strategies in Australian primary school canteens, and whether these varied by school characteristics. METHODS: In 2012 and 2013, canteen managers of primary schools in the Hunter New England region of New South Wales reported via telephone interview the pricing and promotion strategies implemented in their canteens to encourage healthier food and drink purchases. A standardized audit of canteen menus was performed to assess the availability of healthy options. Data were analyzed in 2014. RESULTS: Overall, 203 (79%) canteen managers completed the telephone interview and 170 provided menus. Twenty-nine percent of schools had menus that primarily consisted of healthier food and drinks, and 11% did not sell unhealthy foods. Less than half reported including only healthy foods in meal deals (25%), labeling menus (43%), and having a comprehensive canteen policy (22%). A significantly larger proportion of schools in high socioeconomic areas (OR=3.0) and large schools (OR=4.4) had primarily healthy options on their menus. School size and being a Government school were significantly associated with implementation of some pricing and promotion strategies. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to monitor canteen environments to inform policy development and research. Future implementation research to improve the food environments of disadvantaged schools in particular is warranted.
INTRODUCTION: Schools represent a valuable setting for interventions to improve children's diets, as they offer structured opportunities for ongoing intervention. Modifications to the school food environment can increase purchasing of healthier foods and improve children's diets. This study examines the availability of healthy food and drinks, implementation of pricing and promotion strategies in Australian primary school canteens, and whether these varied by school characteristics. METHODS: In 2012 and 2013, canteen managers of primary schools in the Hunter New England region of New South Wales reported via telephone interview the pricing and promotion strategies implemented in their canteens to encourage healthier food and drink purchases. A standardized audit of canteen menus was performed to assess the availability of healthy options. Data were analyzed in 2014. RESULTS: Overall, 203 (79%) canteen managers completed the telephone interview and 170 provided menus. Twenty-nine percent of schools had menus that primarily consisted of healthier food and drinks, and 11% did not sell unhealthy foods. Less than half reported including only healthy foods in meal deals (25%), labeling menus (43%), and having a comprehensive canteen policy (22%). A significantly larger proportion of schools in high socioeconomic areas (OR=3.0) and large schools (OR=4.4) had primarily healthy options on their menus. School size and being a Government school were significantly associated with implementation of some pricing and promotion strategies. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to monitor canteen environments to inform policy development and research. Future implementation research to improve the food environments of disadvantaged schools in particular is warranted.
Authors: Courtney Barnes; Sam McCrabb; Fiona Stacey; Nicole Nathan; Sze Lin Yoong; Alice Grady; Rachel Sutherland; Rebecca Hodder; Christine Innes-Hughes; Marc Davies; Luke Wolfenden Journal: Transl Behav Med Date: 2021-07-29 Impact factor: 3.046
Authors: Sze Lin Yoong; Nicole Nathan; Luke Wolfenden; John Wiggers; Kathryn Reilly; Christopher Oldmeadow; Rebecca Wyse; Rachel Sutherland; Tessa Delaney; Peter Butler; Lisa Janssen; Sarah Preece; Christopher M Williams Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2016-12-05 Impact factor: 6.457
Authors: Luke Wolfenden; Nicole Nathan; Lisa M Janssen; John Wiggers; Kathryn Reilly; Tessa Delaney; Christopher M Williams; Colin Bell; Rebecca Wyse; Rachel Sutherland; Libby Campbell; Christophe Lecathelinais; Chris Oldmeadow; Megan Freund; Sze Lin Yoong Journal: Implement Sci Date: 2017-01-11 Impact factor: 7.327
Authors: Siobhan O'Halloran; Gabriel Eksteen; Mekdes Gebremariam; Laura Alston Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-03-03 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Shooka Mohammadi; Tin Tin Su; Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin; Maznah Dahlui; Mohd Nahar Azmi Mohamed; Angeliki Papadaki; Russell Jago; Zoi Toumpakari; Hazreen A Majid Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2020-09-22
Authors: Audrey Elford; Cherice Gwee; Maliney Veal; Rati Jani; Ros Sambell; Shabnam Kashef; Penelope Love Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-03-30 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Janne Beelen; Jessica E Heffernan; Maeva Cochet-Broch; Shadia Djakovic; David Chung; Rebecca K Golley; Astrid A M Poelman Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-10 Impact factor: 3.390