Differences in Food and Beverage Marketing Policies and Practices in US School Districts, by Demographic Characteristics of School Districts, 2012

Abstract

IntroductionFoods and beverages marketed in schools are typically of poor nutritional value. School districts may adopt policies and practices to restrict marketing of unhealthful foods and to promote healthful choices. Students’ exposure to marketing practices differ by school demographics, but these differences have not yet been examined by district characteristics.MethodsWe analyzed data from the 2012 School Health Policies and Practices Study to examine how food and beverage marketing and promotion policies and practices varied by district characteristics such as metropolitan status, size, and percentage of non-Hispanic white students.ResultsMost practices varied significantly by district size: a higher percentage of large districts than small or medium-sized districts restricted marketing of unhealthful foods and promoted healthful options. Compared with districts whose student populations were majority (>50%) non-Hispanic white, a higher percentage of districts whose student populations were minority non-Hispanic white (≤50% non-Hispanic white) prohibited advertising of soft drinks in school buildings and on school grounds, made school meal menus available to students, and provided families with information on school nutrition programs. Compared with suburban and rural districts, a higher percentage of urban districts prohibited the sale of soft drinks on school grounds and used several practices to promote healthful options. ConclusionPreliminary findings showing significant associations between district demographics and marketing policies and practices can be used to help states direct resources, training, and technical assistance to address food and beverage marketing and promotion to districts most in need of improvement.

State-Level Guidance and District-Level Policies and Practices for Food Marketing in US School Districts

“…However, fewer resources exist to help districts address marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages, and states potentially are focusing assistance efforts on districts that are not already restricting marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages. Our findings were similar to previous findings (1) that, compared with large districts, small districts had lower odds of implementing several key marketing and promotion policies and practices.…”

“…Future studies could examine these associations with state- and district-level data that more closely align as well as examine associations between state-level food and beverage marketing policies and school-level practices, because state policies have been important levers for other school nutrition changes (9,10). Future research could also try to identify other training and technical assistance topics that may help districts address food marketing, including identifying food and beverage marketing in the school setting and leveraging school wellness councils to address food marketing (1). …”

“…While the prevalence of food and beverage marketing practices in states, school districts, and schools in the United States has been described previously (1–4), it is not known whether the guidance that state agencies provide to school districts about marketing and promotion is associated with implementation of related policies and practices at the district level. Findings from our study could help inform state agencies’ assistance to school districts, especially in light of new federal rules requiring school districts to have local school wellness policies that address 1) food and beverage marketing and 2) nutrition promotion (5).…”

School Wellness in Wisconsin: Evaluating Policies for Practices to Prevent Pediatric Obesity

“…School characteristics, including district size, free/reduced lunch percentage and year of last policy revision were chosen prior to analysis based on the extant research. District size was categorized as small enrollment (1‐2499 students), medium enrollment (2500‐9999 students), and large enrollment (≥10,000 students) using previously established guidelines . Data on district‐level student enrollment for the 2015‐2016 school year were derived from publicly available enrollment data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).…”

“…The quality of SWPs, namely the inclusion of a comprehensive set of health promotion practices and the strength of policy language, appears to vary by several school district characteristics. District size is often associated with policy quality, although results remain equivocal as to whether larger or smaller districts have stronger policies . Studies suggest stronger policies are found in districts with a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch, and policy quality appears to be associated with student body mass index in districts with a majority of low‐income students .…”