Rachel B Acton1, Nghia Nguyen2, Leia M Minaker3. 1. School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. 2. Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. 3. School of Planning, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists on effects of school-based nutrition policies. This study explored the influence of mandatory versus voluntary provincial school nutrition policies on student eating behaviors. METHODS: A cross-sectional, school-based survey assessed student eating behaviors using self-report survey measures in a representative sample of Canadian high school students from 7 provinces (N = 12,110). Provincial school nutrition policies were characterized as mandatory or voluntary. Healthful and nonhealthful eating behaviors were analyzed across sociodemographic characteristics. Regression models were used to assess the association between policy type and eating behaviors, and to explore potential moderating variables. RESULTS: Healthful and nonhealthful eating behaviors differed significantly across several sociodemographic characteristics. Overall, neither healthful nor nonhealthful eating behaviors differed significantly between schools with voluntary and mandatory nutrition policies (odds ratio [OR] = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-1.08; OR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.83-1.64). Frequency of buying lunch at school and buying lunch out moderated the association between policy enforcement level and healthful eating behaviors (p = .0472, p = .0119). Frequency of buying lunch out moderated the association between policy enforcement levels and nonhealthful eating behaviors (p = .0009). CONCLUSIONS: This study documents nonhealthful components of Canadian adolescents' diets, and the results highlight important areas for future research in assessing the effectiveness of school nutrition policies.
BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists on effects of school-based nutrition policies. This study explored the influence of mandatory versus voluntary provincial school nutrition policies on student eating behaviors. METHODS: A cross-sectional, school-based survey assessed student eating behaviors using self-report survey measures in a representative sample of Canadian high school students from 7 provinces (N = 12,110). Provincial school nutrition policies were characterized as mandatory or voluntary. Healthful and nonhealthful eating behaviors were analyzed across sociodemographic characteristics. Regression models were used to assess the association between policy type and eating behaviors, and to explore potential moderating variables. RESULTS: Healthful and nonhealthful eating behaviors differed significantly across several sociodemographic characteristics. Overall, neither healthful nor nonhealthful eating behaviors differed significantly between schools with voluntary and mandatory nutrition policies (odds ratio [OR] = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-1.08; OR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.83-1.64). Frequency of buying lunch at school and buying lunch out moderated the association between policy enforcement level and healthful eating behaviors (p = .0472, p = .0119). Frequency of buying lunch out moderated the association between policy enforcement levels and nonhealthful eating behaviors (p = .0009). CONCLUSIONS: This study documents nonhealthful components of Canadian adolescents' diets, and the results highlight important areas for future research in assessing the effectiveness of school nutrition policies.
Authors: Karen A Patte; Adam G Cole; Wei Qian; Megan Magier; Michelle Vine; Scott T Leatherdale Journal: Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can Date: 2021-03 Impact factor: 3.240