Changes to the school food and physical activity environment after guideline implementation in British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

BackgroundHigh rates of childhood obesity have generated interest among policy makers to improve the school food environment and increase students’ levels of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine school-level changes associated with implementation of the Food and Beverage Sales in Schools (FBSS) and Daily Physical Activity (DPA) guidelines in British Columbia, Canada.MethodsElementary and middle/high school principals completed a survey on the school food and physical activity environment in 2007–08 (N = 513) and 2011–12 (N = 490). Hierarchical mixed effects regression was used to examine changes in: 1) availability of food and beverages; 2) minutes per day of Physical Education (PE); 3) delivery method of PE; and 4) school community support. Models controlled for school enrollment and community type, education and income.ResultsAfter policy implementation was expected, more elementary schools provided access to fruits and vegetables and less to 100% fruit juice. Fewer middle/high schools provided access to sugar-sweetened beverages, French fries, baked goods, salty snacks and chocolate/candy. Schools were more likely to meet 150 min/week of PE for grade 6 students, and offer more minutes of PE per week for grade 8 and 10 students including changes to PE delivery method. School community support for nutrition and physical activity policies increased over time.ConclusionPositive changes to the school food environment occurred after schools were expected to implement the FBSS and DPA guidelines. Reported changes to the school environment are encouraging and provide support for guidelines and policies that focus on increasing healthy eating and physical activity in schools.

School lunches in the Republic of Ireland: a comparison of the nutritional quality of adolescents’ lunches sourced from home or purchased at school or ‘out’ at local food outlets

“…The implementation of school food policy is relevant even in the absence of a state school meal programme. Provincial school food and beverage policies in Canada, for example, have had an impact in terms of reducing the availability of sugarsweetened beverages, French fries and confectionery available within schools (25,26) ; and a 'Healthy School Canteen' initiative in Dutch schools has improved the food environment, healthy eating curriculum and school food policy in the majority of participating schools (27) . For our participants, food from the local environment was as influential as the school setting food because students were accessing both sources equally.…”

“…While existing school food research demonstrates the impact different policies and practices have on food environments and student behaviours (22)(23)(24)(25)(26) , cultural differences relating to state and school policies, food environments, food sources and student behaviour norms can preclude the generalisation of findings between countries (12) . To our knowledge, there is no published literature on the dietary choices Irish secondary-school students make in the school context or data to show where they source their school-day foods.…”

“…The absence of a school meal programme in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) limits the application of a similar approach here. Research from countries with no state school meal programme, such as Canada and the Netherlands, have demonstrated the importance of exploring national and regional practices in order to plan relevant interventions (25)(26)(27) . Recent evaluations of provincial school food policy activity in Canada have shown positive outcomes in terms of widespread provision of healthier beverages, improved food quality and reductions in students' energy intake (25,26) .…”

“…Research from countries with no state school meal programme, such as Canada and the Netherlands, have demonstrated the importance of exploring national and regional practices in order to plan relevant interventions (25)(26)(27) . Recent evaluations of provincial school food policy activity in Canada have shown positive outcomes in terms of widespread provision of healthier beverages, improved food quality and reductions in students' energy intake (25,26) . In the ROI, food provision is decided at local level by school principals (head teachers) and local, independent school food operators (9,28) .…”

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Children's Health

“…A study in Minnesota found that access to low-nutrient, energy-dense beverages and snacks decreased from 2002 to 2008 (81). One school found that implementing policies based on guidelines in Canada resulted in the reduction of SSBs and unhealthy foods and wider access to fruits, vegetables, and physical activity (145). However, another study found that students who had in-school access to vending machines had fewer servings of soda and fast food during the week from other sources, indicating that the school food environment is only one of several to which students are exposed throughout the week (133).…”