Food Environment in Secondary Schools: À La Carte, Vending Machines, and Food Policies and Practices
- 1 July 2003
- journal article
- clinical trial
- Published by American Public Health Association in American Journal of Public Health
- Vol. 93 (7), 1161-1168
- https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.93.7.1161
Abstract
Objectives. This study described the food environment in 20 Minnesota secondary schools. Methods. Data were collected on school food policies and the availability and nutritional content of foods in school à la carte (ALC) areas and vending machines (VMs). Results. Approximately 36% and 35% of foods in ALC areas and in VMs, respectively, met the lower-fat criterion (≤ 5.5 fat grams/serving). The chips/crackers category constituted the largest share of ALC foods (11.5%). The median number of VMs per school was 12 (4 soft drink, 2 snack, 5 other). Few school food policies were reported. Conclusions. The availability of healthful foods and beverages in schools as well as school food policies that foster healthful food choices among students needs greater attention.Keywords
This publication has 15 references indexed in Scilit:
- School Food Policies and PracticesJournal of the American Dietetic Association, 2002
- Environmental Influences on Eating and Physical ActivityAnnual Review of Public Health, 2001
- Relation between consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: a prospective, observational analysisThe Lancet, 2001
- Soft drink 'pouring rights': marketing empty calories to childrenPublic Health Reports®, 2000
- Availability of A La Carte Food Items in Junior and Senior High Schools: A Needs AssessmentJournal of the American Dietetic Association, 2000
- Type 2 diabetes among North adolescents: An epidemiologic health perspectiveThe Journal of Pediatrics, 2000
- Food Sources of Added Sweeteners in the Diets of AmericansJournal of the American Dietetic Association, 2000
- Soft Drink Consumption Among US Children and AdolescentsJournal of the American Dietetic Association, 1999
- Guidelines for School Health Programs to Promote Lifelong Healthy EatingJournal of School Health, 1997
- Availability of Foods in High SchoolsJournal of the American Dietetic Association, 1996