Authors: Snelling, AnastasiaM.; Kennard, Teha

Source: The Journal of School Health, Volume 79, Number 11, November 2009 , pp. 541-546(6)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

BACKGROUND:

With adolescent obesity rates on the rise, the school food environment is receiving closer scrutiny. This study looks at the effects of nutrient standards as part of a wellness policy that was implemented in 3 public high schools in 1 county, by analyzing the nutritional value of competitive food offerings and purchases before and after the development of the standards. METHODS:

All food offerings and purchases were labeled based on their nutritional density using a stoplight approach of green, yellow, and red colors for the pre- and post- period. The stoplight approach to ranking foods is on a continuum of nutrient density, with green foods being the healthiest choices and red foods offering minimal nutrient density. RESULTS:

Results showed that after the implementation of the standards, red foods made up 30% of offerings, down from 48% of offerings prior to the existence of the guidelines. The proportion of red food purchases also decreased, from 83% to 47%. Additionally, yellow food offerings increased from 18% to 48% and purchases increased from 6% to 34%. CONCLUSION:

Results indicate that the nutrient standards as part of the wellness policy contributed to a positive shift in the nutritional value of competitive food purchases and offerings.

Keywords: child and adolescent health; health educators; nutrition and diet; policy; school food services; school nurses

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2009.00446.x

Affiliations: 1: Senior Consultant, ( ), ( Teha.kennard@gmail.com), Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., 8283 Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22010. The opinions and findings in this article are solely those of the author., Email: kennard_teha@bah.com

Publication date: 2009-11-01

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