Assessment of Food Quality in School Canteens: A Comparative Quantitative Study between Primary and Secondary Schools in Malaysia

Abstract

Schools are an important food environment to cultivate and promote healthy food choices and practices among children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to assess the type and quality of food and beverages sold in school canteens in public primary and secondary schools in Kelantan, Malaysia. Eligible schools were randomly selected from the list of all schools and detailed information of all food and beverage items sold in the school canteens were collected during school days. Food and beverages were classified based on food groups derived from the Malaysian Food Dietary Guideline and the Recommended Foods for Healthy Cafeteria Guideline. An assessment of the traffic-light nutrition food-labelling system of the total sugar content in all pre-packaged foods was also undertaken. A total of 568 food items were identified, with secondary school canteens selling a greater proportion of food items than the primary schools (55.5% vs. 44.5%). In terms of the main food groups, grains and cereal products represented the largest food group served (33–36%), followed by beverages (21–25%) and confectionary and sweet foods (12–13%). In contrast, the vegetable and fruit group represented the smallest proportion of food items sold (1–3%). Comparisons between primary and secondary schools showed a similar trend and pattern of food types and quality of foods sold, except for animal-based foods. A greater percentage of food items in this category was found among secondary schools (12.1%) versus primary schools (6.7%). When total sugar content of all pre-packaged foods was quantified based on the traffic-light nutrition-labelling system, almost one-third of foods and beverages were classified as high (29.1%). Confectionary (19.1%) and flavoured milk and fruit drinks (10.0%) both exceeded the recommended sugar levels of >22.5 g per 100 g and >11.25 mL per 100 m L, respectively. Only one of these packaged foods and beverages (0.9%) was classified as a healthy food choice. About a quarter of the food items available in school canteens were classified as prohibited based on a new revised list of prohibited food and beverage items. These findings indicate that, despite the Guidelines, a large number of unhealthy food items are being sold in school canteens. Hence, interventions such as sustainable healthy school canteen menus should be implemented to promote healthy food choices amongst school-aged children.

The nutrition transition, food retail transformations, and policy responses to overnutrition in the East Asia region: A descriptive review

“…In Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan, these school food guidelines are mandatory, while in Hong Kong (China), Singapore, and Thailand, they are voluntary. Evaluations of school food and nutrition guidelines have been conducted in Hong Kong (China), 98 Japan, 99 Malaysia, 100 Singapore, 101–103 and South Korea 104 . In Hong Kong (China), evaluation of the voluntary EatSmart School Accreditation Scheme revealed a greater reduction in the prevalence of obesity among students at participating schools (0.49% annual reduction in prevalence) compared to non‐participating schools (0.31% annual reduction in prevalence) 98 …”

“…However evidence on the impact of the “Green Food Zones” (a ban on the sale of foods considered to be high‐calorie and low nutrition as part of the Special Act on Children's Dietary Life Safety Management) has revealed mixed results 104 . In Malaysia, despite the mandatory Guide for Healthy School Canteen Management, schools still overwhelmingly offer unhealthy foods and beverages—29.1% of pre‐packaged foods and beverages sold in Malaysian schools were classified as “red” (most unhealthy) products 100 …”

“…104 In Malaysia, despite the mandatory Guide for Healthy School Canteen Management, schools still overwhelmingly offer unhealthy foods and beverages-29.1% of pre-packaged foods and beverages sold in Malaysian schools were classified as "red" (most unhealthy) products. 100 Six countries have introduced FOPL policies to better inform consumers of healthier and less healthy food and beverage options. Of these six countries, five were HICs (Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, South Korea) or UMICs (Malaysia, Thailand), with the Philippines as the only LMIC to adopt such a policy.…”

Education on Balanced Nutrition and Healthy Snacks in the School Environment to Prevent Nutritional Problems among Adolescents

“…Schools are important environments for cultivating and promoting healthy food choices among children and young people, but large amounts of unhealthy food are sold in school canteens. Nutrition education among students, teachers, and school canteen managers can strengthen the promotion of healthy school nutrition (Foo & Tan, 2021;Mohammadi et al, 2020). This MOU contains the Cooperation of the Mamuju Ministry of Health Poltekkes in helping to increase the knowledge and skills of adolescents in practicing a balanced nutritional lifestyle in the school environment.…”

Pelayanan Screening Kesehatan Anak Usia Sekolah Di SDK Wehor Wilayah Puskesmas Haliwen Kecamatan Kakuluk Mesak

“…Faktor lain yang berpengaruh terhadap status gizi yaitu faktor perilaku, faktor lingkungan, pelayanan kesehatan, faktor genetik, dan infeksi (Galgamuwa et al, 2017). Faktor lingkungan di antaranya yaitu layanan iklan fastfood dan minuman tinggi kalori, persepsi kepala sekolah terhadap gaya hidup, dan keberadaan kantin sehat di sekitar sekolah (Foo & Tan, 2021). Sedangkan faktor pelayanan kesehatan diantaranya yaitu kinerja dan sikap penyuluh kesehatan, tidak tersedianya ahli gizi atau tenaga kesehatan yang khusus menangani masalah kesehatan di sekolah, serta kebijakan dan program perbaikan gizi siswa dan guru belum terlaksana dengan baik atau belum ada.…”