Socioeconomic differences, competitive food laws and the school food environment

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Since 2003, a growing number of states have enacted policies to regulate competitive foods, which are foods/beverages sold outside of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program.1 Competitive foods include snacks/beverages sold in vending machines or at school stores or snack bars, and a la carte items (i.e., pizza, French fries, ice cream). According to a 2009 Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) analysis, 29 states set limitations while 27 states set nutrition standards for competitive foods.2 There is some evidence that setting standards for competitive foods and beverages in schools leads to “healthier school food environments, student dietary intake, and student weight status”.1 Competitive foods are more common at middle- and high schools.3

Most nationwide studies, especially in regards to competitive food policies, have focused its research on the general population, but not their impact on health disparities and school food/beverage environment.in low-income versus high-income areas. This study assessed whether stronger state competitive food laws may improve the nutritional quality of school food/beverage environments. The study also provides an assessment of SES differences in school food/beverage environments and availability of healthy/unhealthy food options.1

Socioeconomic differences among school districts and across grades generate many disparities in the school nutrition environment, availability of specific food/beverage items, and specific food/beverage sales. SES status was not found to have a statistically significant impact on healthy index scores in fifth grade; however, differences were found to have an impact on availability. As for students in grade 8, disparities in Healthy Index scores were observed. The findings suggest that in eighth grade, high-SES schools have a healthier overall environment, higher availability, and sell more healthy items (compared to medium-SES schools in fifth grade). As for competitive food laws, stronger ones were associated with improved nutritional quality regardless of school SES. Of  note, these associations (state laws and school environment) were attributed to schools who sold fewer unhealthy items.1 Healthier alternatives were not provided.

References

1.     Taber DR, Chriqui JF, Powel LM, Perna FM, Robsinson WR, Chaloupka FJ. Socioeconomic differences in the association between competitive food laws and the school food environment. J Sch Health. 2015;85(9): 578-586.

2.     Trust for America’s Health (TFAH). Supplement to “F as in fat: how obesity policies are failing in America” Obesity-related legislation action in states, update. TFAH Web site. http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2009/StateSupplement2009.pdf. Updated July 30, 2009. Accessed September 12, 2015.

3.     O'Toole TP, Anderson S, Miller C, Guthrie J. Nutrition services and foods and beverages available at school: results from the school health policies and programs study. J  Sch Health. 2007;77(8):500–521.
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