Primary school compliance with school canteen guidelines in Fiji and its association with student obesity

Varman, Sumantla Devi; Bullen, Chris; Tayler-Smith, K.; Bergh, Rafaël Van den

doi:10.5588/pha.12.0063

Cited by 9 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 3 publications

(2 reference statements)

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“…Mandatory compliance to these guidelines began from early 2009. An evaluation of Fijian schools in 2010 found less than one fifth of assessed schools were compliant with guidelines [ 37 ]. Students who attended schools that were classed as ‘adherent’ were significantly less likely to be overweight or obese than students who attended ‘non-adherent’ schools [ 36 , 37 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research in Tonga and Fiji has shown high-sugar foods and beverages are readily available and easy to access at school canteens [ 33 ]. While healthy canteen guidelines have been developed in some Pacific Island nations, such as Fiji, implementation and adherence to guidelines thus far has been limited [ 37 ]. It is up to governing bodies including ministries of health and national departments to ensure that school health policies are adhered to.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tackling the Consumption of High Sugar Products among Children and Adolescents in the Pacific Islands: Implications for Future Research

et al. 2018

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The Pacific Islands are experiencing an obesity epidemic with a rate of overweight and obesity as high as 80% among adults in some Pacific Island nations. Children and adolescents in the region are also affected by overweight and obesity, which is alarming due to the increased likelihood of remaining overweight as an adult. Research supports an association between poor diet and an increased risk of obesity and development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Excess consumption of free sugars is associated with poorer overall diet quality and increased risk of weight gain, chronic inflammation and dental caries. Traditional diets in the Pacific Islands are being supplemented with processed, high-sugar foods and beverages; thus, there is a clear need for effective interventions promoting positive dietary behaviors in the region. School and community based interventions offer an opportunity to promote positive behavior change among children and adolescents. This review aims to evaluate interventions targeting the consumption of high-sugar products in this population in the Pacific Islands.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tackling the Consumption of High Sugar Products among Children and Adolescents in the Pacific Islands: Implications for Future Research

et al. 2018

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“…A study done in Fiji showed a statistically significant association between non-compliance with school canteen guidelines and prevalence of overweight and obesity among students. 28 The study also showed that the schools compliant with the school canteen guidelines had a higher proportion of children with healthy weight than the non-compliant schools. However, our study did not show similar findings.…”

Section: School Related Factors Associated With Overweight or Obesitymentioning

confidence: 78%

School related factors affecting non communicable diseases risk factors among 13-15 years old adolescents from two schools in Delhi

Kedar¹,

Gupta²

2019

Int J Community Med Public Health

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Background: Children and adolescents are more vulnerable to developing NCD (non communicable diseases) risk factors due to changing lifestyles. Hence it is essential to recognize NCD risk factors among adolescents. School plays an important role in imparting knowledge and shaping the behaviours and practices among children. This study focusses on the school related factors that may be influencing the NCD risk factors among adolescents.Methods: The study was conducted among 438 students, 13 to 15 years old of two central government schools in Delhi. A self-administered modified STEPS questionnaire, an observation checklist for assessing facilities at schools and an interview schedule for school staff were used to collect data.Results: The statistically significant determinants of inadequate fruits and vegetable intake and excess fast food intake were consumption of fast food from vendors selling food outside the school (OR=4.36), inadequate physical activity at school (OR=2.56) and feeling stressed at school (OR=2.93). Physical activity at school was an important determinant for overall physical activity of students (OR=2.38). Current tobacco use and current alcohol use was determined by feeling stressed at school (OR=3.12). Health education classes at school had a protective effect on the NCD risk factors.Conclusions: Many school related factors such as absence of playground at school, stressed life at school and vendors selling fast food outside school were seen to influence lifestyle risk factors amongst adolescents. Hence an active involvement of school by increasing health education classes and providing adequate facilities for physical activities may help in reducing the NCD risk factors among students.

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“…The regulation provides an opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of school students by ensuring the availability of healthy and safe foods in and around school right from the initial years of life. Evidence from various countries has shown that the national school canteen guidelines are effective in reducing overweight/obesity rates (29). The implementation of canteen policy was evaluated in countries like Saudi Arabia (30) and Brazil (31) and showed that schools did not comply with the policies.…”

Section: Policy Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Food Environment in and Around Schools and Colleges of Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) in India

Bassi

Bahl

Arora

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Food policies and the environment in and around educational institutes have the potential to influence food practices, eating patterns, and behaviours of children. Methods: A mixed-methods, cross-sectional study was implemented to examine the existing food policies, food environment determinants, and food choices of school (9 schools; Private=6, Public=3) and college (n=4) going students from Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR), India. Data was collected from school (n=253) and college (n=57) students, parents of school students (n=190), teachers (n=12, schools=9, colleges=3), canteen operators of private schools (n=6) and colleges (n=4) using focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, surveys and structured observations (in and around schools and colleges). Results: A variety of food and beverage options were available in and around educational institutes but the majority of these options were unhealthy i.e. high in fat, salt, and sugar, despite restrictions. The available healthy foods and beverages in the canteens as well as outside through vendors were priced higher compared to unhealthy options. During lunchtime, twelve vendors were seen around six schools (3 private and 3 public). The density of these vendors increased at the time of dispersal (n=37) with a higher number of outside private schools (n=27) compared to public schools (n=10). Around colleges, vendors (n=14) were seen throughout the day. The students from all private schools (n=6) and colleges (n=2) were exposed to the high fat, salt, and sugar food advertisements (n=10), whereas, no advertisements were observed around public schools. Private school students are more vulnerable compared to public schools due to the availability of canteen with unhealthier options, the higher density of vendors outside school, higher exposure to unhealthy food advertisements, the higher purchasing power of students to eat outside food, and the non-availability of any school meals programme.Conclusion: The current food environment in and around educational institutes is conducive to establish and sustain unhealthy eating behaviours. It is imperative to ensure the availability of healthy food in and around their educational institutes to improve their health and wellbeing. Therefore, emphasise the need to address this challenge through regular monitoring and surveillance of the recently introduced FSSAI regulation 2020, to ensure its compliance and appropriate enforcement strategies.

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Primary school compliance with school canteen guidelines in Fiji and its association with student obesity

Cited by 9 publications

References 3 publications

Tackling the Consumption of High Sugar Products among Children and Adolescents in the Pacific Islands: Implications for Future Research

Tackling the Consumption of High Sugar Products among Children and Adolescents in the Pacific Islands: Implications for Future Research

School related factors affecting non communicable diseases risk factors among 13-15 years old adolescents from two schools in Delhi

Food Environment in and Around Schools and Colleges of Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) in India

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