Healthy-Canteen Displays: A Tactic to Encourage Community Sport Canteens to Provide Healthier Food and Beverage Options

Abstract

(1) Background: Community sport settings present a range of conflicting health behaviours, including the tension between being physically active and consuming discretionary foods. Therefore, community sport settings are considered a promising location for health promotion. The aim of this project was to evaluate perceptions, knowledge and the impact (e.g., barriers and outcomes) of a healthy-canteen (cafeteria) display, based on traffic light labeling (TLL), which was set up at an Australian Basketball Association Managers’ Convention and Trade Show. (2) Methods: We set up a healthy ‘canteen display and surveyed Basketball managers on their perceptions of the display before (Survey 1) and after (Survey 2) visiting the display. Three months later they were surveyed (Survey 3) on changes made to their community sport canteens. (3) Results: Eighty-eight, 76 and 22 participants completed Surveys 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Participants believed stocking healthy foods and beverages was important (mean 8.5/10). Food waste, lack of consumer interest and price were identified barriers to stocking healthy foods. After visiting the display, 75% were inspired to make changes and 50% were surprised by the differences between their perceptions of the healthfulness of foods and the TLL ratings. Post-convention, 41% and 70% made or had planned healthy changes to their community sport canteen. (4) Conclusions: A healthy-canteen display is a low-cost, easy-to-implement strategy that may be able to direct self-driven improvement in the healthfulness of foods stocked at community canteens and lead to improved nutritional intakes at these venues.

An online exploratory survey of Australian athletes’ and exercisers’ use of and attitudes towards ultra-processed sports foods

“…Education and support for training and competition venues to provide non-UPF options may lead to enhanced access to these foods where they are most convenient to athletes. Other research has demonstrated that healthy canteen displays at sporting association trade shows can support organisations to plan and implement changes in their canteens ( 47 ) .…”

Evaluation of the introduction of a healthy food and drink policy in 13 community recreation centres on the healthiness and nutrient content of customer purchases and business outcomes: An observational study

“…Innovative study designs are required to address both of these limitations, especially when evaluating the effectiveness of policies in changing overall consumption patterns, and estimating effects on health [ 37 ]. Additionally, studies investigating healthy food and drink initiative implementation often report concerns of increased costs to retailers [ 38 , 39 ]. Despite this, changes to food and operational costs as a result of improving the healthiness of items for sale, and how food costs can be optimised to increase the likelihood of switches to healthier menus being profitable, have not been investigated.…”