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The healthiness of New Zealand school food environments: a national survey
- Source :
- Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. June, 2022, Vol. 46 Issue 3, p325, 7 p.
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- : Objective: To evaluate the healthiness of New Zealand school food environments. Methods: In 2016, primary and secondary schools were invited to complete a cross‐sectional questionnaire. School nutrition policies were analysed using an adapted Wellness School Assessment Tool. Canteen menus were analysed using the National Food and Beverage Classification System, and a sample of menus (n=54) were validated using fieldworker observations. Results: In total, 819 schools (response rate 33%) participated. Forty per cent had a nutrition policy, and those analysed (n=145) lacked comprehensiveness and contained weak statements. Seventy‐one per cent sold food and beverages during the school day. The school food service offered mainly unhealthy items. Many schools (81%) used food and beverages for fundraising with 90% of them using ‘less healthy’ items. Most had vegetable gardens (80%), included nutrition education in the curriculum (90%), were not sponsored by food and beverage companies (94%) and did not have commercial advertising on school grounds (97%). Conclusion: New Zealand school nutrition policies are weak, and canteen and fundraising items are largely unhealthy, which undermine other positive efforts. Implications for public health: This study provides evidence of unhealthy school food environments and supports the need for stronger national‐level policy.<br />Among OECD countries, New Zealand (NZ) has the second‐highest prevalence of childhood obesity.[sup.1] Almost one‐third of New Zealand children (29.6%) have overweight or obesity, within which significant socioeconomic and ethnic [...]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 13260200
- Volume :
- 46
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Gale General OneFile
- Journal :
- Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsgcl.740500890
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.13210