Faculty Collaboration Database

Effects of changes in lunch-time competitive foods, nutrition practices, and nutrition policies on low-income middle-school children's diets. Child Obes 2013 Dec;9(6):509-23

Date

11/13/2013

Pubmed ID

24215386

DOI

10.1089/chi.2013.0052

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84890336060 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   25 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The School Nutrition Advances Kids project tested the effectiveness of school-initiated and state-recommended school nutrition practice and policy changes on student dietary intake in low-income middle schools.

METHODS: Schools recruited by an application for grant funding were randomly assigned to (1) complete an assessment of nutrition education, policies, and environments using the Healthy School Action Tools (HSAT) and implement an action plan, (2) complete the HSAT, implement an action plan, and convene a student nutrition action team, (3) complete the HSAT and implement an action plan and a Michigan State Board of Education nutrition policy in their cafeteria à la carte, or (4) a control group. All intervention schools were provided with funding and assistance to make self-selected nutrition practice, policy, or education changes. Block Youth Food Frequency Questionnaires were completed by 1176 seventh-grade students from 55 schools at baseline and during eighth-grade follow-up. Nutrient density and food group changes for the intervention groups were compared to the control group, controlling for baseline dietary intake values, gender, race/ethnicity, school kitchen type, urbanization, and percent of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Analyses were conducted by randomization and based on changes the schools self-selected.

RESULTS: Improvements in students' nutrient density and food group intake were found when schools implemented at least three new nutrition practice changes and established at least three new nutrition policies. Students in schools that introduced mostly healthful foods in competitive venues at lunch demonstrated the most dietary improvements.

CONCLUSIONS: New USDA nutrition standards for à la carte and vending will likely increase the healthfulness of middle school children's diets.

Author List

Alaimo K, Oleksyk SC, Drzal NB, Golzynski DL, Lucarelli JF, Wen Y, Velie EM

Author

Ellen Velie PhD, MPH Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Child
Diet
Female
Food Dispensers, Automatic
Health Promotion
Humans
Lunch
Male
Menu Planning
Michigan
Nutrition Policy
Nutritive Value
Pediatric Obesity
Poverty
Schools
United States