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Matela H, Yadav SS, Menon K. Robust implementation of school food policy is needed to improve nutritional outcomes of children in European and Western Pacific countries: A systematic review. Nutrition 2024; 122:112373. [PMID: 38428219 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2024.112373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present systematic review explored compliance status with school food policies in Europe and the Western Pacific regions, challenges and facilitators of policy compliance, and its impact on children's diets and nutrient intakes. RESEARCH METHODS An electronic search for full-text research articles published between January 2009 and July 2023 was conducted in Science Direct and PubMed scientific databases. RESULTS A total of 659 titles and abstracts were screened, and final data was extracted from 34 included studies. Results showed low compliance with the school food policy in Europe and the Western Pacific regions. The European schools chad better compliance than the Western Pacific, and supportive interventions improved policy adherence. Impact assessment studies reported that the implementation of the school food policy increased fruit and vegetable consumption, thus increasing nutrient intakes (vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, calcium, folate, and dietary fibers). However, its impact on the availability and consumption of foods high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) was less conclusive. The effects of the policy on the school food environment indicated no significant improvement. CONCLUSION Results highlighted the need for additional support and surveillance at the school level to ensure adequate policy compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hema Matela
- Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences (SIHS), Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (SIU), Lavale, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Surabhi Singh Yadav
- Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences (SIHS), Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (SIU), Lavale, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kavitha Menon
- Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences (SIHS), Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (SIU), Lavale, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
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Blanquer-Genovart M, Manera-Bassols M, Salvador-Castell G, Cunillera-Puértolas O, Castell-Abat C, Cabezas-Peña C. School Menu Review Programme (PReME): evaluation of compliance with dietary recommendations during the period 2006-2020 in Catalonia. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2173. [PMID: 36434578 PMCID: PMC9700995 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14571-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The School Menu Review Programme (PReME) has been offering complimentary revisions of meal plans to all schools in Catalonia since 2006. This study aims to assess the evolution of compliance with PReME's recommendations in the meals provided by school cafeterias in Catalonia during the period 2006-2020. METHODS Pre-post study with a sample of 6,387 meal plans from 2221 schools assessed during the period. The information was collected mainly by public health specialists within the annual technical and sanitary inspection of school kitchens and cafeterias. Meal plans were evaluated by Dietitian-Nutritionists team according to the criteria of the National Health System's "Consensus document on nutrition in schools" and the Public Health Agency of Catalonia's current guide "Healthy eating at school". Reports were sent to each participating school. A few months later, a new meal plan and another questionnaire were collected and evaluated in comparison with the first meal plan. Compliance with the recommendations was analysed based on the type of canteen management and the school category. RESULTS Compliance improved during the study period. The percentage of schools that complied with dietary recommendations in relation to the five PReME indicators (fresh fruit, pulses, daily vegetables, fresh food and olive oil for dressing) has steadily increased since PReME began, (over 70% in all indictors; p = < 0.001), with variations depending on school category and cafeteria management. Furthermore, an improvement in the levels of compliance with de recommended food frequencies was observed. with statistically significant differences for all items (p < 0.001), except for pulses whose compliance had been high since the beginning of the study (p = 0.216). CONCLUSIONS The positive evolution in compliance with PReME's recommendations provides evidence of the programme's effectiveness, with an improvement in the quality of school meals delivered in Catalonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Blanquer-Genovart
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Subdirectorate General for Health Promotion, Ministry of Health, Government of Catalonia, Roc Boronat, 81-95, Barcelona, 08005, Spain.
| | - Maria Manera-Bassols
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Subdirectorate General for Health Promotion, Ministry of Health, Government of Catalonia, Roc Boronat, 81-95, Barcelona, 08005, Spain
| | - Gemma Salvador-Castell
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Subdirectorate General for Health Promotion, Ministry of Health, Government of Catalonia, Roc Boronat, 81-95, Barcelona, 08005, Spain
| | - Oriol Cunillera-Puértolas
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Subdirectorate General for Health Promotion, Ministry of Health, Government of Catalonia, Roc Boronat, 81-95, Barcelona, 08005, Spain
| | - Conxa Castell-Abat
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Subdirectorate General for Health Promotion, Ministry of Health, Government of Catalonia, Roc Boronat, 81-95, Barcelona, 08005, Spain
| | - Carmen Cabezas-Peña
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Subdirectorate General for Health Promotion, Ministry of Health, Government of Catalonia, Roc Boronat, 81-95, Barcelona, 08005, Spain
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González MÁSJ, Baviera LCB, Moreno-Villares JM. School lunch menus in Spain. A review on recommendations and policy. An Pediatr (Barc) 2021; 95:55.e1-55.e9. [PMID: 34167902 DOI: 10.1016/j.anpede.2021.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION An appropriate diet in childhood is essential for suitable growth and development, but it is also essential for preventing the development of non-communicable diseases in later stages. The School stage is fundamental. A significant proportion of students in Spain make use of the school lunch. We review the current situation in Spain, as well as public policy on school lunch and a nationwide review of specific legislation on each Autonomous Community. MATERIAL AND METHODS National public policy and specific considerations in every Autonomous Community were reviewed. Only considerations on the composition of the school menu were considered. RESULTS There are relatively recent state regulations but on school lunch menus also specific to each Autonomous Community. In general, and within a certain heterogeneity, they refer to the distribution of the diet and foods to be restricted. They usually provide guidelines, examples of daily menus, and graphic representations. Regarding school menus, there is a trend towards improvement in nutritional adequacy, but there is still room to improve. There are certain aspects related to the best solutions yet to be elucidated: management model, type of supervision, sustainability and local consumption, as well as school lunch schedules. CONCLUSIONS The nutritional contributions made in the school canteens are qualitatively and quantitatively important. In addition, it must fulfill educational and social equity functions. Although these concerns address specific recommendation in every Autonomous Community, there is huge heterogeneity on practical implementations.
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San José González MÁ, Blesa Baviera LC, Moreno-Villares JM. [School lunch menus in Spain. A review on recommendations and policy]. An Pediatr (Barc) 2021. [PMID: 33642175 DOI: 10.1016/j.anpedi.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION An appropriate diet in childhood is essential for suitable growth and development, but it is also essential for preventing the development of non-communicable diseases in later stages. The School stage is fundamental. A significant proportion of students in Spain make use of the school lunch. We review the current situation in Spain, as well as public policy on school lunch and a nationwide review of specific legislation on each Autonomous Community. MATERIAL AND METHODS National public policy and specific considerations in every Autonomous Community were reviewed. Only considerations on the composition of the school menu were considered. RESULTS There are relatively recent state regulations but on school lunch menus also specific to each Autonomous Community. In general, and within a certain heterogeneity, they refer to the distribution of the diet and foods to be restricted. They usually provide guidelines, examples of daily menus, and graphic representations. Regarding school menus, there is a trend towards improvement in nutritional adequacy, but there is still room to improve. There are certain aspects related to the best solutions yet to be elucidated: management model, type of supervision, sustainability and local consumption, as well as school lunch schedules. CONCLUSIONS The nutritional contributions made in the school canteens are qualitatively and quantitatively important. In addition, it must fulfill educational and social equity functions. Although these concerns address specific recommendation in every Autonomous Community, there is huge heterogeneity on practical implementations.
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Cupertino AF, Maynard DDC, de Queiroz FLN, Zandonadi RP, Ginani VC, Raposo A, Saraiva A, Botelho RBA. How Are School Menus Evaluated in Different Countries? A Systematic Review. Foods 2021; 10:374. [PMID: 33572214 PMCID: PMC7915021 DOI: 10.3390/foods10020374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
School meals should focus on quality of life issues, particularly on reducing food shortages, overweight, obesity and its consequences. As an essential tool for quality assurance, creating the menu is an activity of great complexity and requires multidisciplinary knowledge. This activity covers the observation of countless aspects of quality, highlighting nutritional, sensory, cultural, hygienic, and sanitary issues, among others. This study aims to identify and analyze instruments and methods to evaluate school menus in different countries. The authors developed specific search strategies for Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Pubmed, Lilacs, ProQuest Global, and Google Scholar. The included studies' methodological quality was assessed using the statistical analysis and meta-analysis review tool (MASTARI). A total of 16 cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Brazil and Spain were the countries that presented the highest number of studies (n = 5; 31.25% for each). The majority of the studies have a qualitative approach (n = 12, 75%), and only 25% (n = 4) of the studies present quantitative assessment methods to evaluate school menus. No school menu assessment tools were found to assess all aspects of menu planning. The results show a lack of a methodology or of instruments for evaluating the menus offered for school meals that can contribute to better dietary care offered to students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Fabrino Cupertino
- Department of Nutrition, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (A.F.C.); (D.d.C.M.); (F.L.N.d.Q.); (R.P.Z.); (V.C.G.)
| | - Dayanne da Costa Maynard
- Department of Nutrition, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (A.F.C.); (D.d.C.M.); (F.L.N.d.Q.); (R.P.Z.); (V.C.G.)
| | - Fabiana Lopes Nalon de Queiroz
- Department of Nutrition, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (A.F.C.); (D.d.C.M.); (F.L.N.d.Q.); (R.P.Z.); (V.C.G.)
| | - Renata Puppin Zandonadi
- Department of Nutrition, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (A.F.C.); (D.d.C.M.); (F.L.N.d.Q.); (R.P.Z.); (V.C.G.)
| | - Verônica Cortez Ginani
- Department of Nutrition, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (A.F.C.); (D.d.C.M.); (F.L.N.d.Q.); (R.P.Z.); (V.C.G.)
| | - António Raposo
- CBIOS (Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies), Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ariana Saraiva
- Department of Animal Pathology and Production, Bromatology and Food Technology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Trasmontaña s/n, 35413 Arucas, Spain;
| | - Raquel Braz Assunção Botelho
- Department of Nutrition, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (A.F.C.); (D.d.C.M.); (F.L.N.d.Q.); (R.P.Z.); (V.C.G.)
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Soares P, Martínez-Milán MA, Comino I, Caballero P, Davó-Blanes MC. [Assessment of the consensus document on food in educational centres to evaluate school menus]. GACETA SANITARIA 2019; 34:225-229. [PMID: 31767199 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2019.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the applicability of the Consensus Document on School Food Programmes in Educational Centres (DCSECE) to evaluate the adaptation of school menus to healthy eating recommendations. METHOD Transversal study that analyzes monthly school menus from 28 early-childhood education and primary education centres in Andalusia and Canary Islands (Spain). Data were collected using an ad-hoc protocol based on the DCSECE recommendations and divided into food categories and subcategories. We studied the weekly menu offering of each of the foods by category and subcategory and compared them to the DCSECE recommendations. RESULTS The majority of the schools offered better meals than as specified by the recommendations, in terms of vegetables, other garnishes and other deserts. They offered poorer quality meals in the categories of rice, pasta, prepared foods and salads, and had an equivalent offering in terms of pulses, meats, fish and eggs. By subcategory, we observed the predominance of cooked vegetables in the vegetable category as compared to salads, and the predominance of processed meats in the meats category. CONCLUSIONS The DCSECE could be a useful instrument for evaluating the nutritional offering of school menus. However, there is a need for greater specificity in the recommendations, in order to identify whether these menus adhere to healthy eating recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panmela Soares
- Núcleo de Investigación de Nutrición en los Servicios de Alimentación (NUPPRE), Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brasil; Grupo de Investigación de Salud Pública, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España; Departamento de Enfermería Comunitaria, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España; Área de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España
| | - María Asunción Martínez-Milán
- Departamento de Enfermería Comunitaria, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España; Área de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España.
| | - Iris Comino
- Departamento de Enfermería Comunitaria, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España; Área de Enfermería Comunitaria, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España
| | - Pablo Caballero
- Departamento de Enfermería Comunitaria, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España; Área de Enfermería Comunitaria, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España
| | - Mari Carmen Davó-Blanes
- Grupo de Investigación de Salud Pública, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España; Departamento de Enfermería Comunitaria, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España; Área de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España
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