F&N 4-0

5/05

 

Abstract

Soft Drinks, Candy, and Fast Food and the Middle School Food Environment

 

Prepared by:   Barbara Brown, Ph.D., R.D./L.D.

                        Food Specialist

                        308 HES/NSCI

                        OSU

                        Stillwater, OK 74078-6141

                        (405) 744-6824

                        bbrown@okstate.edu

 

IMPLICATIONS FOR COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.  Most parents and teachers think the nutritional health of children should be a priority but most do not believe schools give enough attention to student nutrition.  The Cooperative Extension Service, through County Educators, can be involved by working with parents, teachers, and within community and school groups to identify ways to encourage children to eat healthy foods and beverages both in school and out.

 

Children spend long hours in school and at school related activities.  As a result schools are recognized as settings that offer access to most young people and environments that influence their eating practices.  Several factors have been identified as important and potentially powerful predictors of youth dietary behavior.  These include the foods and beverages offered in school vending machines, a la carte programs, and school stores; foods used as rewards and incentives in the classroom or sold as part of school fundraising; parental and peer support of healthy food choice at school; the role modeling behavior of staff and students; and school food policies and practices that support health food choice.  Heath professionals, pubic health advocates, educators and politicians have all expressed concern about the nutrition integrity of todayŐs school food environment.  This study looked at how parents and teachers regard the nutrition environment of schools and the role schools should play in fostering healthy eating among children. 

 

Researchers surveyed parents and teachers of students in 16 middle schools in the St. Paul and Minneapolis metropolitan area.  The surveys asked  questions about adolescentsŐ eating practices, food choices at school, and school-related food policies and practices.  Most parents surveyed were mothers who worked full time and had less than a college degree. Most teachers surveyed were white, female with a mean age of 41 years.  On average teachers had been teaching for 13 years and at their current school for 7.5 years.  Fifty-four percent of teachers had masterŐs degrees. 

 

The majority of both teachers (67%) and parents (53%) believed food habits were established before students entered middle school.  Still 87% of parents and 95% of teachers believed it was important to address eating practices during adolescence.  Parents agreed that their eating influenced their children but most teachers did not think their eating practices had an influence on student choices. 

 

Few parents or teachers thought students should be able to buy candy and soft drinks at school.  Less than 15% believed food from fast-food chains should be offered as lunch alternatives.  Ninety percent agreed that more healthy snacks and beverages should be available in school vending machines and on a la carte lines.  Almost three-fourths believed only healthy food choices should be offered from school vending machines. 

                                                                                             

Forty-eight percent of teachers and 39% of parents strongly disagree with the practice of selling high-fat, high-sugar foods such as candy and cookies as part of school fundraising even though it helps raise needed revenue for the schools. 

Most parents and teachers agree it is important to have written policies addressing issues such as food use in the classroom and types of foods and beverages offered in vending machines.  Only 33% of teachers believed they could influence school food policy. 

 

The study found that many parents and teachers are advocates of a healthful school environment.  Efforts to mobilize these groups have potential to benefit students.  However intervention strategies that mobilize parents and teachers are rare and generally involve only a small group.  It is important to look for additional ways to increase involvement. 

 

Reference:

Kubik, M., Lytle, L, and Story, M. (2005) Soft drinks, candy and fast food: what parents and teachers think about the middle school food environment. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 105(2): 233.