Creating school environments and policies to promote healthy eating and physical activity

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Story, M., Nanney, M.S., & Schwartz, M.B. (2009). School and obesity prevention: Creating school environments and policies to promote healthy eating and physical activity. The Milbank Quarterly, 87:1, 71-100.

This study examined the school environment and how this effected healthy behavior in the students. It pertained primarily to obesity prevention. Though there was information related to physical activity, I primarily focused on the nutrition-related information. The article explained a great deal about competitive foods (foods sold outside of federally reimbursed lunches) and how they are widely available in schools. It also went into detail about how high competitive food availability is associated with higher intake of kcal, soft drinks, total fat, saturated fat, and lower intake of fruits and vegetables.

This information can be quite useful for dietitians working in a community environment. If working with parents and their children, it may be beneficial to highly recommend the students either bring packed lunches from home or purchase the federally reimbursed lunches from the school. Doing one of these options will help reduce the consumption of competitive foods and ensure foods that are nutrient dense.


-LL

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