This systematic review and meta-analysis is based on 21 papers describing 19 peer-reviewed studies published between 1966 and October 2004. Combination nutrition and physical activity interventions are effective at achieving weight reduction in school settings. Several promising strategies for addressing obesity in the school setting are suggested by Dr. David Katz and colleagues.
Archive for category School nutrition
A study by Martin Caraher from City University London has found that children in Tower Hamlets are regularly ignoring school healthy eating initiatives to binge on fast food on the way to and from school – some even choose to skip lunch to eat fast food at the end of the day. The research also examined the prevalence of fast food outlets in the borough and found that 97% of households lie within a ten-minute walk from a convenience food seller and that in some areas there are more fast food outlets than shops.
Lunch contents were observed and recorded for 3 consecutive days for 74 kids. More than 50% of the 3-day means provided less than 33% of the Dietary Reference Intakes for energy (n=58), carbohydrate (n=59), vitamin A (n=58), calcium (n=49), iron (n=44), and zinc (n=38). 96% of the children received less than 33% of the recommended amount of dietary fiber, yet the mean amount of sodium in observed lunches was 114% of the recommendated amount. 71% of the observed lunches did not meet the standards for servings of F&V or for servings of milk (80%). Sack lunches sent from home may not regularly provide adequate nutrients for the growth and development of young children.
Analysis of menues from 1440 secondary state schools shows that progress is still required to achieve a meal composition in accordance with the food-group frequency guidelines.
2306 children starting school in Augsburg, Germany had their age, sex, weight, and height recorded. Their parents had to answer a questionnaire covering sporting activity, amount of television watched, and eating behavior. 13% suffered from overweight and 5% were obese. This is a marked increase in the prevalence of overweight in children. Almost two thirds of Turkish and Russian speaking children watched one to three hours of television per day about twice as many as Germans. The eating habits of the Turkish children were particularly striking. Only 12.4% had five meals a day the lowest of any group.
Youth who study just a short walk from a fast-food outlet eat fewer fruit and vegetables, drink more soda and are more likely to be obese than students at other schools, according to research published in the American Journal of Public Health (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19106421?dopt=Abstract). The study, which involved more than 500,000 adolescents at middle schools and high schools in California, lends new fuel to a growing backlash against the fast-food industry as studies suggest they contribute to the rising obesity epidemic.
The number of food retailers was obtained within a 1 km and 5 km radius around 178 schools in Canada. Retailers included full-service restaurants, fast-food restaurants, sub/sandwich retailers, doughnut/coffee shops, convenience stores and grocery stores. A total food retailer index was most strongly related to overweight, but in the opposite direction to that hypothesized. Exposure to various types of food retailers in school neighbourhoods was not associated with an increased likelihood of overweight in Canadian school-aged youth. The opportunity to make healthy choices from a variety of options and the unique Canadian context may explain the findings.
This qualitative study from North Carolina provide insight into key areas of concern for parents regarding the nutrition and activity environment of child-care centers. This information may be used to create or modify interventions or policies and to help motivate parents to become advocates for change in child care. Out of 508 parents 27% rated meals quality as excellent. And 42% meals rated them as good. The majority of parents categorized the quality of physical activity at the center as excellent (36%) or good (46%), and suggested more structured, outdoor activities for children.
This paper from the ProChildren project investigate personal, social and physical environmental predictors in 13.305 kids. Daily fruit intake and daily vegetable intake was mainly associated with knowledge of the national recommendations, positive self-efficacy, positive liking and preference, parental modeling and demand and bringing fruit to school. This study showed that a combination of personal and social factors is related to daily F&V intake in schoolchildren.
A small study found that hi-tech method (texting) improved compliance more than paper and pencil.