Nutritional environment at secondary schools in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Meko, L.; Slabber-Stretch, Marthinette; Walsh, Corinna M.; Krüger, S; Nel, Mariëtte

doi:10.1080/16070658.2015.11734527

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The quality and quantity of school meals are very essential to meet the nutritional needs of adolescents [ 44 , 45 ]. The provision of diversified diet in schools enhances not only healthy eating but also food choices which enable adolescents to establish healthier dietary behavior and contribute to the prevention of nutrition-related diseases/conditions later in life [ 46 , 47 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietary Practices, Nutrient Adequacy, and Nutrition Status among Adolescents in Boarding High Schools in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

Calista

Martin

Kassim

et al. 2020

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism

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A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess dietary practices, nutrient adequacy, and nutrition status among 164 adolescents aged between 16 and 19 years in boarding secondary schools in the Kilimanjaro region. In-depth interviews and a survey guided by a semistructured and structured questionnaire, including 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire techniques, were used to collect information. Nutrition status was assessed using anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin levels. WHO AnthroPlus software and NutriSurvey software were used to analyze anthropometry and dietary data, respectively. Diet in boarding schools was monotonous comprising mainly of cereal-legume meal with low intake of animal sources, fruits, and vegetables. Mean intake of energy, vitamin C, iron, calcium, and zinc was 1392 kcal, 24.8 mg, 9.2 mg, 134.5 mg, and 4.3 mg, respectively, which were below the Recommended Daily Allowance. The average carbohydrate, fat, and protein intake of 471.9 g, 73.7 g, and 80.7 g, respectively, were slightly higher than the Recommended Daily Allowance in both sexes. Male had a significantly higher intake of protein and carbohydrates (P<0.001). Female had a significantly (P<0.001) high intake of fat compared to male adolescents. Overall, 23.1% of the adolescents were anaemic, 25% were overweight, and 6.1% were obese. Boarding secondary schools’ diet is monotonous and are inadequate in key micronutrients, iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin C. There is a coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition among adolescents in boarding schools. Therefore, monitoring adolescents’ dietary intake and nutrition status is a key in preventing adolescents’ malnutrition in the short term and diet-related diseases in the long term.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietary Practices, Nutrient Adequacy, and Nutrition Status among Adolescents in Boarding High Schools in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

Calista

Martin

Kassim

et al. 2020

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism

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“…A major source of added sugars is ultra-processed foods whose manufacturers are incentivized to pursue sales, which may not align with health concerns, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children [12]. Children can easily obtain SSBs though, informal vendors, canteens, and school tuck shops, which are designated areas within the school premises that have food and beverage items available for sale to students before, during or after school [13][14][15]. Additionally, school children are frequently exposed to harmful marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Availability and advertising of sugar sweetened beverages in South African public primary schools following a voluntary pledge by a major beverage company: a mixed methods study

Erzse

Christofides

Stacey

et al. 2021

Global Health Action

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Background: Towards the end of the 2017 school year, a prominent beverage company in South Africa pledged to remove their sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and advertisements from primary schools in order to contribute to the realization of a healthy school environment. Objectives: To assess the availability and advertising of the company's beverages in public primary schools in Gauteng province following their voluntary pledge to remove the products, and to explore perceptions of school staff regarding SSB availability in schools and processes related to the implementation of the pledge. Methods: In 2019, we conducted a representative survey of public sector primary (elementary) schools in Gauteng province, South Africa. A random sample of schools was drawn, with schools stratified by whether or not they charge fees. This was a proxy for the socioeconomic status of the locale and student body. At each school, the availability of beverages and presence of advertising or not was assessed by an observational audit tool and differences across fee status assessed by Pearson χ 2 test. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of school officials. Data from the interviews were coded and thematic analysis conducted. Results: Two years following a voluntary pledge, the company's carbonated SSBs were available for sale in 54% (CI: 45-63%) of schools with tuck shops and advertised in 31% (CI: 25-39%). Qualitative interviews revealed a complex landscape of actors within schools, which, combined with indifference or resistance to the pledge, may have contributed to the continued availability of SSBs. Conclusions: Though we were unable to examine SSB availability before and after the pledge, our findings provide some preliminary evidence that voluntary pledges by commercial entities are not sufficient to remove SSBs and advertisements from schools. Mandatory regulations coupled with in-depth engagement with schools may be an avenue to pursue in the future.

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“…Less is known about school food environments in low- and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The bulk of evidence has been generated in South Africa (Claasen et al 2016 ; Faber et al 2014 ; Jacobs et al 2013 ; Meko et al 2015 ; Oosthuizen et al, 2011 ). For example, one study highlighted a number of issues in the school food environment such as the low content of fruits and vegetables in school meals, that about a quarter of the students did not eat breakfast, and the wide consumption of unhealthy food items bought in nearby tuck shops and by vendors located in the schools (Faber et al 2014 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A free lunch or a walk back home? The school food environment and dietary behaviours among children and adolescents in Ghana

et al. 2017

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Food environments can play important roles in shaping nutrition and health outcomes. One such environment that has potential to affect youth is the school food environment. In contrast to higher-income countries, however, there is a critical evidence gap on the role of school food environments on children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. This mixed-methods study contributes to filling this gap by investigating the role of school food environments on dietary behaviours of children and adolescents in Ghana. It draws on data from household and school questionnaires as well as focus group discussions collected as part of the baseline for an impact evaluation of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP). Multi-level regression models were fitted with random intercepts at the individual, household and community levels. Excerpts from the focus group discussions provided a deeper understanding of quantitative findings. Children and adolescents who received free school meals provided by the GSFP or who lived further away from school were less likely to go home for lunch. More than half of sampled schools reported offering foods for sale by independent vendors, the most common being meals followed by confectionery, fruit and sugar-sweetened beverages. Predictors of bringing money to school to buy food included non-receipt of free school meals, adolescence, greater commuting distance from home, household asset score, and urban location. Policy efforts focusing on the school food environment may contribute to healthy dietary behaviours for children and adolescents with positive impacts over the lifecourse

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Nutritional environment at secondary schools in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Cited by 5 publications

References 5 publications

Dietary Practices, Nutrient Adequacy, and Nutrition Status among Adolescents in Boarding High Schools in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

Dietary Practices, Nutrient Adequacy, and Nutrition Status among Adolescents in Boarding High Schools in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

Availability and advertising of sugar sweetened beverages in South African public primary schools following a voluntary pledge by a major beverage company: a mixed methods study

A free lunch or a walk back home? The school food environment and dietary behaviours among children and adolescents in Ghana

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