FROM PIES AND CREAM BUNS TO SUSHI AND SALADS: SUPPORTING SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE HEALTHIER FOOD OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS

Amelia Webster (Group Author), Aloysa Hourigan, Charlotte Morrison

Research output: Contribution to journalMeeting AbstractProfessionalpeer-review

Abstract

Good health, food and nutrition are essential for children to have a positive start in life and achieve their full potential. Childhood obesity is a major public health issue. In 2013, 29% Queensland school-aged children were overweight or obese. Most children are (1) not consuming adequate vegetables or fruit; (2) consuming excess inappropriate, discretionary food and drinks. Improving nutritional quality of food and drinks children consume is an important element in tackling childhood obesity and preventing chronic disease in later life. The Queensland Government's Smart Choices Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy for schools, launched in 2007, sought to improve the nutritional value of food and drinks in the school environment. In 2015, Nutrition Australia Queensland (NAQ) Nutrition was engaged to undertake an active research project to support 50 Queensland school canteens to identify barriers and enablers for them to better implement the Strategy. Canteen menus were assessed against the Smart Choices Strategy, where food and drinks are classified into categories according to their nutritional value – GREEN (‘have plenty’), AMBER (‘select carefully’), and RED (‘occasional’). This identified that on average the canteen menus were 48% GREEN; 44% AMBER; 5% RED, with 74% of schools having at least one RED item on their menu (most commonly in the snacks and drinks section). Schools are receiving ongoing, individualised support over the project duration to improve menu choices. Post-intervention evaluation, in early 2016, will identify how these schools have progressed in improving the nutritional value of their menus.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)79-79
Number of pages1
JournalNutrition and Dietetics
Volume73
Issue numberS1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Apr 2016
Externally publishedYes
EventDietitians Association of Australia 33rd National Conference - Melbourne, Australia
Duration: 19 May 201621 May 2016
https://www.da2024.com.au/

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