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Associations between School Food Environments, Body Mass Index and Dietary Intakes among Regional School Students in Victoria, Australia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Alston

    (Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia)

  • Nicholas Crooks

    (Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia)

  • Claudia Strugnell

    (Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia)

  • Liliana Orellana

    (Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia)

  • Steven Allender

    (Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia)

  • Claire Rennie

    (Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne 3004, Victoria, Australia)

  • Melanie Nichols

    (Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia)

Abstract

(1) Background: Childhood overweight and obesity is a significant and preventable problem worldwide. School environments have been suggested to be plausible targets for interventions seeking to improve the quality of children’s dietary intake. The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which the current characteristics of the school food environment were associated with primary school students’ dietary intake and Body Mass Index (BMI) z scores in a representative sample in regional Victoria. (2) Methods: This study included 53 schools, comprising a sample of 3,496 students in year levels two (aged 7–8 years), four (9–10 years) and six (11–12 years). Year four and six students completed dietary questionnaires. Principals from each school completed a survey on school food environment characteristics. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between students’ dietary intake and school food environment scores, controlling for confounders such as socio-economic status, school size and sex. Food environment scores were also analysed against the odds of being healthy weight (defined as normal BMI z score). (3) Results: Mixed associations were found for the relationship between students’ dietary intake and food environment scores. Meeting the guidelines for vegetable intake was not associated with food environment scores, but students were more likely (OR: 1.68 95% CI 1.26, 2.24) to meet the guidelines if they attended a large school (>300 enrolments) and were female (OR: 1.28 95% CI: 1.02, 1.59). Healthy weight was not associated with school food environment scores, but being a healthy weight was significantly associated with less disadvantage (OR: 1.24 95% CI 1.05, 1.45). Conclusion: In this study, the measured characteristics of school food environments did not have strong associations with dietary intakes or BMI among students.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Alston & Nicholas Crooks & Claudia Strugnell & Liliana Orellana & Steven Allender & Claire Rennie & Melanie Nichols, 2019. "Associations between School Food Environments, Body Mass Index and Dietary Intakes among Regional School Students in Victoria, Australia: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:16:p:2916-:d:257614
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ronette R. Briefel & Mary Kay Crepinsek & Charlotte Cabili & Ander Wilson & Philip M. Gleason, 2009. "School Food Environments and Practices Affect Dietary Behaviors of US Public School Children," Mathematica Policy Research Reports c6dbf718e7a54cb0ab738b653, Mathematica Policy Research.
    2. repec:mpr:mprres:6160 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. repec:mpr:mprres:5427 is not listed on IDEAS
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    1. Siobhan O’Halloran & Gabriel Eksteen & Mekdes Gebremariam & Laura Alston, 2020. "Measurement Methods Used to Assess the School Food Environment: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-23, March.

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