School Food Policies and Student Eating Behaviors in Canada: Examination of the 2015 Cancer Risk Assessment in Youth Survey

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.

Examining differences in school hour and school day dietary quality among Canadian children between 2004 and 2015

“…Variation in the type of provincial-level school nutrition policies (e.g. mandatory v. voluntary) has been reported in Canada (37)(38)(39)(40) . For example, nutrition standards regarding the sale of foods and beverages in schools are voluntary in some provinces (e.g.…”

“…Non-compliance with school nutrition policies has been reported in studies examining beverages and foods sold in school vending machines in Alberta and Ontario (43,44) . Despite these variations in the implementation of school nutrition policies and guidelines, recent research has suggested no association between school nutrition policy enforcement level (mandatory v. voluntary) and school day dietary behaviours among Canadian youth and adolescents (40) . Our findings suggest that Canadian children's school hour dietary quality improved similarly across provinces from 2004 to 2015.…”

Are closed campus policies associated with youth eating behaviours?

“…A recent study found over one third of Ontario secondary school students ate meals prepared by fast food restaurants at least once per week (23). Similarly, in an online survey of youth from 7 Canadian provinces, 27.4% reported buying lunch out three or more days a week and another 56.7% on one-to-two days, while 12.1% and 24.4% bought lunch at school three-to-ve and one-to-two days/week, respectively; only 15.9% of students did not buy lunch from a fast food restaurant, convenience store, or other off-campus option at all in the previous school week (24).…”

“…Lunches prepared at home are generally considered the most nutritious option, relative to meals purchased from fast food, restaurants, and convenience store outlets (24,23). In Canadian secondary school students, those who bring a home-packed lunch report better total dietary quality, and consume fewer SSBs (25) and more fruit, vegetable (26), and whole grain servings, compared to their peers who purchase lunch from school or off campus (24,27). For purchased lunches, most studies support the school cafeteria food as the healthier alternative to food purchased at fast food outlets or other restaurant and retail options.…”

“…For purchased lunches, most studies support the school cafeteria food as the healthier alternative to food purchased at fast food outlets or other restaurant and retail options. Students who eat lunch or snacks purchased at fast food outlets or restaurants report higher consumption of SSBs (25,26,28) and fried foods, and have greater sodium, sugar, and total caloric intakes than their peers who eat lunch prepared at home or by the school cafeteria (23,24,28). However, some evidence suggests school obtained lunches are generally equivalent to food purchased off-school property (24,27).…”