scholarly journals Objective assessment of compliance with a state-wide school food-service policy via menu audits

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (09) ◽  
pp. 1696-1703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gael Myers ◽  
Megan Sauzier ◽  
Amanda Ferguson ◽  
Simone Pettigrew
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Government School ◽  
School Canteen ◽  
Food And Drink ◽  
Western Australian

AbstractObjectiveThe Healthy Food and Drink Policy was implemented in Western Australian government schools in 2007. The aim of the present study was to assess the compliance of Western Australian school canteen menus with the policy a decade after its introduction.DesignThe traffic-light system that underpins the Healthy Food and Drink Policy categorises foods and drinks into three groups: ‘green’ healthy items, ‘amber’ items that should be selected carefully and ‘red’ items that lack nutritional value. Canteen menus were collected online and each menu item was coded as a green, amber or red choice.SettingWestern Australia.ParticipantsOnline canteen menus from 136 primary and secondary government schools.ResultsThe majority of audited school menus met policy requirements to include ≥60 % green items (84 %) and ≤40 % amber items (90 %), but only 52 % completely excluded red items. Overall, approximately half (48 %) of school canteen menus met all three traffic-light targets. On average, 70 % of the menu items were green, 28 % were amber and 2 % were red. Primary-school canteen menus were more likely than those from secondary schools to meet the requirements of the policy.ConclusionsWhile the sampled Western Australian government school canteen menus were highly compliant with most of the requirements of the Healthy Food and Drink Policy, many offered red foods and/or drinks. Providing all schools with further education about identifying red items and offering additional services to secondary schools may help improve compliance rates.

scholarly journals Assessment of Food Quality in School Canteens: A Comparative Quantitative Study between Primary and Secondary Schools in Malaysia

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 3009
Author(s):  
Leng Huat Foo ◽  
Ying Jing Tan
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Total Sugar Content ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
Packaged Foods

Schools are an important food environment to cultivate and promote healthy food choices and practices among children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to assess the type and quality of food and beverages sold in school canteens in public primary and secondary schools in Kelantan, Malaysia. Eligible schools were randomly selected from the list of all schools and detailed information of all food and beverage items sold in the school canteens were collected during school days. Food and beverages were classified based on food groups derived from the Malaysian Food Dietary Guideline and the Recommended Foods for Healthy Cafeteria Guideline. An assessment of the traffic-light nutrition food-labelling system of the total sugar content in all pre-packaged foods was also undertaken. A total of 568 food items were identified, with secondary school canteens selling a greater proportion of food items than the primary schools (55.5% vs. 44.5%). In terms of the main food groups, grains and cereal products represented the largest food group served (33–36%), followed by beverages (21–25%) and confectionary and sweet foods (12–13%). In contrast, the vegetable and fruit group represented the smallest proportion of food items sold (1–3%). Comparisons between primary and secondary schools showed a similar trend and pattern of food types and quality of foods sold, except for animal-based foods. A greater percentage of food items in this category was found among secondary schools (12.1%) versus primary schools (6.7%). When total sugar content of all pre-packaged foods was quantified based on the traffic-light nutrition-labelling system, almost one-third of foods and beverages were classified as high (29.1%). Confectionary (19.1%) and flavoured milk and fruit drinks (10.0%) both exceeded the recommended sugar levels of >22.5 g per 100 g and >11.25 mL per 100 m L, respectively. Only one of these packaged foods and beverages (0.9%) was classified as a healthy food choice. About a quarter of the food items available in school canteens were classified as prohibited based on a new revised list of prohibited food and beverage items. These findings indicate that, despite the Guidelines, a large number of unhealthy food items are being sold in school canteens. Hence, interventions such as sustainable healthy school canteen menus should be implemented to promote healthy food choices amongst school-aged children.

Offensive behaviours against school leaders: Prevalence, perpetrators and mediators in Australian government schools

2021 ◽  
pp. 174114322110573
Author(s):  
Ben Arnold ◽  
Mark Rahimi ◽  
Phil Riley
Keyword(s):  
Physical Violence ◽  
School Leaders ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
School Employees ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Government School ◽  
School Based ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
Survey Responses

Offensive behaviour towards school employees is widespread and involves a number of potentially harmful acts. There is evidence that school employees’ experiences of offensive behaviour are shaped by demographic, role and school-based factors that mediate the likelihood of victimisation. However, very few studies have investigated the prevalence and correlates of offensive behaviour against school leaders. This study analysed 13,028 survey responses from the Australia Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing survey that were completed between the years 2011 and 2019. The analysis determined the prevalence of bullying, threats of violence and physical violence against government school leaders, the main perpetrators of these offenses and the moderating effects of key socio-demographic factors. Results from the study demonstrated that considerable proportions of Australian government school leaders were subjected to offensive behaviour with an average (pooled) prevalence of 36.2% for bullying, 48.6% for threats of violence and 38.7% for physical violence. School leaders report that students and parents are responsible for most offensive behaviours, but that colleagues also contribute considerably to incidents of bullying. Our findings illustrate that offensive behaviours against Australian school leaders are very high and that particular groups of school leaders are at elevated risk of victimization, especially female school leaders and to a lesser extent assistant principals and those inner or outer regional areas.

scholarly journals Parents’ and Teachers’ Views of Food Environments and Policies in Indian Private Secondary Schools

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha Rathi ◽  
Lynn Riddell ◽  
Anthony Worsley
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
School Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Effective School ◽  
School Canteen ◽  
Food Policies

School food environments and policies can play a pivotal role in inculcating healthy food habits among young people. This cross-sectional survey explored teachers’ and parents’ views of the role of school food environments and policies in promoting healthy food consumption among Indian adolescents. Thirty-two teachers and 280 parents from five private, English-speaking, secondary schools in Kolkata, India took part in a short questionnaire survey which included closed and open answer questions. Descriptive and chi-square analyses were performed to compare the responses of parents and teachers. Thematic data analysis underpinned by Template Analysis Technique was employed to examine the qualitative responses. The easy availability and accessibility of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, the limited availability of nutritious foods, the absence of written food policies, and inflated prices of nutritious foods were reported as problems in the Indian school food environment. However, the respondents also noted that schools restricted the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages and adopted hygienic food practices. Novel ideas for creating healthy school food environments and effective school canteen policies were also captured during the survey. These findings point to the need to create effective school food policies in Indian secondary schools to help adolescents eat healthily at school. Future research is required to test the feasibility of the implementation of school food policies.

Suspension and Exclusion Rates for Aboriginal Students in Western Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Gardiner ◽  
David Evans ◽  
Kenneth Howell
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Aboriginal Students ◽  
Western Australian

AbstractThis brief report highlights an apparently inflated suspension and exclusion rate for Aboriginal students in Western Australian government schools. The elevated rates for both suspension and exclusion, but especially for the more serious step of exclusion, should be reason for concern for all educators.

Secondary school canteens in Australia: analysis of canteen menus from a repeated cross-sectional national survey

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashleigh Haynes ◽  
Belinda Morley ◽  
Helen Dixon ◽  
Maree Scully ◽  
Alison McAleese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Baked Goods ◽  
Sugary Drinks ◽  
School Canteen

Abstract Objective: The current study aimed to assess the nutritional quality of Australian secondary school canteen menus. Design: Stratified national samples of schools provided canteen menus in 2012–2013 and 2018, which were systematically assessed against a ‘traffic light’ classification system according to the National Healthy School Canteen Guidelines. Items were classified as green (healthiest and recommended to dominate canteen menus), amber (select carefully) or red (low nutritional quality, should not appear on canteen menus), and pricing and promotional strategies were recorded. Setting: Australia. Participants: Canteen menus from 244 secondary schools (2012–2013 n 148, 2018 n 96). Results: A total of 21 501 menu items were classified. Forty-nine percent of canteen menus contained at least 50 % green items; however, nearly all (98·5 %) offered at least one red item and therefore did not comply with national recommendations. Snacks and drinks had the least healthy profile of all product sectors, and a large proportion of schools supplied products typically of poor nutritional quality (meat pies and savoury pastries 91·8 %, sugary drinks 89·5 %, sweet baked goods 71·5 %, ice creams 64·1 % and potato chips 44·0 %). Red items were significantly cheaper than green items on average, and many schools promoted the purchase of red items on canteen menus (52·8 %). There were few differences between survey waves. Conclusions: There is considerable room for improvement in the nutritional quality of canteen menus in Australian secondary schools, including in the availability, pricing and promotion of healthier options. Additional resources and services to support implementation of national guidelines would be beneficial.

Determination of employment conditions of teachers in Western Australian government schools: new directions

1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-163
Author(s):  
Anwar (Andy) N Khan ◽  
Adjunct ◽  
Tony Travaglione ◽  
Peter Williams
Keyword(s):  
Australian Government ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Employment Conditions ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Western Australian

The relative price of healthy and less healthy foods available in Australian school canteens

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 677-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natassja Billich ◽  
Marijke Adderley ◽  
Laura Ford ◽  
Isabel Keeton ◽  
Claire Palermo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Relative Price ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Australian School ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
School Canteen ◽  
Food And Beverage

Abstract School canteens have an important role in modelling a healthy food environment. Price is a strong predictor of food and beverage choice. This study compared the relative price of healthy and less healthy lunch and snack items sold within Australian school canteens. A convenience sample of online canteen menus from five Australian states were selected (100 primary and 100 secondary schools). State-specific canteen guidelines were used to classify menu items into ‘green’ (eat most), ‘amber’ (select carefully) and ‘red’ (not recommended in schools). The price of the cheapest ‘healthy’ lunch (vegetable-based ‘green’) and snack (‘green’ fruit) item was compared to the cheapest ‘less healthy’ (‘amber/red’) lunch and snack item, respectively, using an un-paired t-test. The relative price of the ‘healthy’ items and the ‘less healthy’ items was calculated to determine the proportion of schools that sold the ‘less healthy’ item cheaper. The mean cost of the ‘healthy’ lunch items was greater than the ‘less healthy’ lunch items for both primary (AUD $0.70 greater) and secondary schools ($0.50 greater; p < 0.01). For 75% of primary and 57% of secondary schools, the selected ‘less healthy’ lunch item was cheaper than the ‘healthy’ lunch item. For 41% of primary and 48% of secondary schools, the selected ‘less healthy’ snack was cheaper than the ‘healthy’ snack. These proportions were greatest for primary schools located in more, compared to less, disadvantaged areas. The relative price of foods sold within Australian school canteens appears to favour less healthy foods. School canteen healthy food policies should consider the price of foods sold.

scholarly journals Assessing the Effectiveness of Front of Pack Labels: Findings from an Online Randomised-Controlled Experiment in a Representative British Sample

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 900
Author(s):  
Jessica Packer ◽  
Simon J. Russell ◽  
Deborah Ridout ◽  
Steven Hope ◽  
Anne Conolly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Choice ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Warning Label ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Baseline Measure ◽  
Food And Drink ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
British Sample ◽  
Large Representative

Front of pack food labels (FOPLs) provide accessible nutritional information to guide consumer choice. Using an online experiment with a large representative British sample, we aimed to examine whether FOPLs improve participants’ ability to identify the healthiness of foods and drinks. The primary aim was to compare ability to rank between FOPL groups and a no label control. Adults (≥18 years), recruited from the NatCen panel, were randomised to one of five experimental groups (Multiple Traffic Light, MTL; Nutri-Score, N-S; Warning Label, WL; Positive Choice tick, PC; no label control). Stratification variables were year of recruitment to panel, sex, age, government office region, and household income. Packaging images were created for three versions, varying in healthiness, of six food and drink products (pizza, drinks, cakes, crisps, yoghurts, breakfast cereals). Participants were asked to rank the three product images in order of healthiness. Ranking was completed on a single occasion and comprised a baseline measure (with no FOPL), and a follow-up measure including the FOPL as per each participant’s experimental group. The primary outcome was the ability to accurately rank product healthiness (all products ranked correctly vs. any incorrect). In 2020, 4504 participants had complete data and were included in the analysis. The probability of correct ranking at follow-up, and improving between baseline and follow-up, was significantly greater across all products for the N-S, MTL and WL groups, compared to control. This was seen for only some of the products for the PC group. The largest effects were seen for N-S, followed by MTL. These analyses were adjusted for stratification variables, ethnicity, education, household composition, food shopping responsibility, and current FOPL use. Exploratory analyses showed a tendency for participants with higher compared to lower education to rank products more accurately. Conclusions: All FOPLs were effective at improving participants’ ability to correctly rank products according to healthiness in this large representative British sample, with the largest effects seen for N-S, followed by MTL.

Current status of soil-transmitted helminthiases among pre-school and school-aged children from Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

2010 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.A. Sowemimo ◽  
S.O. Asaolu
Keyword(s):  
Private Schools ◽  
Private School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Government School ◽  
Soil Transmitted Helminths ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Stool Samples

AbstractA cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminths among pre-school and school-aged children attending nursery and primary schools in Ile-Ife. Single stool samples were collected between January and March, 2009 from 352 children randomly selected from a total of 456 children attending both private and government schools. The stool samples were processed using the modified Kato–Katz technique, and then examined for the eggs of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). One hundred and twenty-one (34.4%) samples were positive for STH eggs. The overall prevalences of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm were 33.2%, 3.7% and 0.9%, respectively. The prevalence of STH infection in government schools (47.8%) was significantly higher than in private schools (16.1%) (P < 0.001). The most common type of mixed infection was the combination of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura (6.8%). The prevalence and intensity of A. lumbricoides rose with age. The lowest prevalence and intensity (7.7%; 0.240 ± 0.136 eggs per gram (epg)) were recorded in the 2- to 3-year-old age group, while the highest prevalence and intensity (58.7%; 1.820 ± 0.237 epg) were recorded in children aged 10 years and above. A questionnaire survey indicated that 73% of the children attending private school had been treated with anthelminthics less than 2 months prior to the collection of stool specimens, while 43% of the children attending government school received anthelminthic treatment during the same period. The findings indicate that STH infections are endemic among schoolchildren in Ile-Ife and that the burden of parasitic infections is greater in government schools than in private schools.

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