Children's Community Nutrition Environment, Food and Drink Purchases and Consumption on Journeys between Home and School: A Wearable Camera Study

Association Between the Food Environment Around Schools and Food Consumption of Adolescents in Large and Small Municipalities in Southern Brazil

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the association between the consumption of healthy and unhealthy food markers among adolescents enrolled in the ninth grade of elementary school in municipal public schools and the food environment around the schools in two municipalities of different sizes, located in Southern Brazil. The data were collected between 2022 and 2023, with 449 adolescent participants. Of these, 347 were students from the municipality of Florianópolis, and 102 were students from the municipality of Governador Celso Ramos, all aged between 13 and 17 years. The establishments located around the schools were evaluated using AUDITNOVA, an instrument that investigates the environmental dimension and food dimension. The consumption of healthy eating markers (beans, vegetables, and fresh fruits) and unhealthy eating markers (ultra-processed foods, soft drinks, sweets, and fried snacks) among students was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Statistically significant associations were observed between the food environment around the school and the consumption of unhealthy food markers (OR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.41-0.98 p = 0.041) but only in the large municipality. No significant associations were found in the students' food consumption in the small municipality. A significant association between the school food environment and adolescents' consumption of unhealthy foods was observed in Florianópolis. Healthy food consumption was low among students in the small municipality, Governador Celso Ramos.

Adolescents' perceptions of food outlets in the school neighbourhood and their unhealthy snacking behaviour on the way to and from school

OBJECTIVE

To understand the relationship between adolescents' unhealthy snacking behaviour during their school journey and their perceived and objective measures of food outlet availability in the school neighbourhood.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey enquired about socio-demographic information, school transport modes, perceived presence of food outlets in the school neighbourhood and unhealthy food purchase and consumption on the school journey. A geographical information system analysis of the food outlets within 500 m and 1000 m school buffers was undertaken. Data were analysed using generalised linear mixed modelling.

SETTING

All twelve secondary schools in Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand, March 2020-June 2022.

PARTICIPANTS

Adolescents aged 13-18 years (n 725) who reported being familiar with their school neighbourhood.

RESULTS

Perceived availability of food outlets in the school neighbourhood was inversely correlated with distance to the closest food outlet from school and positively correlated with food outlet density within 500 m and 1000 m school buffers. Adolescents' purchase and consumption of unhealthy snacks and drinks during the school journey were associated with perceived availability of food outlets and with shorter distance to the closest food outlet from school. Mixed transport users, girls and those living in high-deprivation neighbourhoods had higher odds of purchasing and consuming unhealthy snacks and drinks during the school journey than active transport users, boys and those living in low-deprivation neighbourhoods, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents perceptions of the food environment and close access to food outlets in the school neighbourhood may influence adolescents' food purchase and consumption behaviours during the school journey.

Healthy Diet Promotion through Evidence-Informed Policies

The Special Issue entitled "The Impact of Policy and Food Environment on Food Purchase and Dietary Behavior" comprises 13 articles that collectively provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between policy, food environment, and individual food purchase and consumption [...].

Trends and determinants of active school travel among Australian secondary school students: national cross-sectional data from 2009 to 2018

OBJECTIVE

To examine active school travel trends and predictors among Australian secondary school students (aged 12-17) between 2009 and 2018.

METHODS

Three cross-sectional surveys (2009-10: N=13,790; 2012-13: N=10,309; and 2018: N=9,102) using a web-based self-report questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to identify differences in active travel (to and/or from school every weekday) between survey years and predictors.

RESULTS

From 2009-10 to 2012-13 to 2018, active travel decreased from 33.6% to 32.3% to 29.5% among females, and from 37.4% to 36.6% to 32.6% among males. Distance, female sex and regional location were associated with a lower likelihood of active travel. Students with pocket money, those who spoke a language other than English at home, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students were more likely to actively travel.

CONCLUSIONS

Between 2009-10 and 2018, active school travel among secondary students in Australia declined. Several factors were found to be associated with active travel.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

This is the first national study on active travel trends among secondary students in Australia. The recent decline requires action given the increasing prevalence of overweight and climate change.