With Junk Food Stores Nearby, Teens May Eat More of It

Teens are much more likely to eat junk food if they live in or go to school in neighborhoods with many fast food restaurants and other sources of unhealthy foods, a new study finds. Click here to find out more!

Researchers compared 2007 data on junk food consumption by California teens living in neighborhoods with high concentrations of junk food outlets, such as fast food restaurants, convenience stores, dollar stores and liquor stores, with the eating habits of teens living near healthier food outlets, such as grocery stores and farmers' markets.

The study, from the University of California Los Angeles Center for Health Policy Research, found that nearly three-quarters of the teens lived in or went to school in neighborhoods crowded with junk food outlets, and that the teens on average had more than seven times as many junk food outlets near their home or school as healthy food outlets.

Teens in neighborhoods with high concentrations of junk food outlets were 18 percent more likely to eat fast food at least twice a week and 17 percent more likely to drink soda every day, compared to teens in neighborhoods with fewer junk food outlets.

Previous research has linked consumption of fast food and soda to high caloric intake, which can contribute to diabetes and obesity.

"You are what you eat. You are, also, where you live," study co-author Susan Babey, a senior research scientist at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, said in a center news release. "And if you live in a place where there's a fast food restaurant or convenience store on every block, with few healthier alternatives, you are likely to eat more junk."

"It is a travesty that our kids have better access to liquor stores and other unhealthy food outlets than a grocery store," Dr. Robert K. Ross, president and CEO of the California Endowment, a private health foundation that funded the study, said in the news release. "We have put our children and youth in harm's way, and they are paying the price for our carelessness. If nothing is done, this will be the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents."

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Students prefer junk food to fruits, yoghurt in school canteens

A majority of students wants junk food and soft drinks in school canteens, despite the Supreme Education Council (SEC) trying to wean them away from unhealthy food, a recent survey shows.

The survey conducted by the SEC focusing on school canteens in Independent schools has shown that over 52 percent of the students don’t want fruits and vegetables in school canteens, while 45 percent of don’t like milk, yoghurt and other diary products.

Reflecting a clear lack of awareness about health and nutrition, a high number of students — over 26 per cent — expressed their preference for junk food, chips and soft drinks — that remain banned in school canteens.

The survey sought to assess the impact of the School Canteen Guide issued by the SEC last year on improving the performance of canteens and creating health awareness among students.

While launching the Guide, the SEC had said that that it would put an end to complaints about high prices of meals in school canteens, while ensuring supply of healthy food in schools under the supervision of specialised administrative and health entities.

The Guide has made it mandatory for caterers to provide milk, water, fruits and vegetables to children on a daily basis. A menu list, with prices of each item was also issued with the Guide.

The survey carried out between May 15 and May 26 covered a total of 2,022 Independent school students, 41 members of the canteen supervision committees in 12 schools, 106 parents and 19 catering company staff.

The survey found that 75 percent of students were buying food from school canteens on a regular basis, at least three times a week. Majority of the students found the prices reasonable since about 60 percent of them were getting a pocket money of at least
QR5 daily.

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Junk food is out, healthy food is in

Creating ‘health awareness’ among schools has gained momentum as new guidelines introduced by Dubai Health Authority last month have started taking shape in schools.

Surprise tiffin checks, new nutrition guidelines, health committees and canteen reforms are being implemented across the board as schools strive to create a healthy environment

Catering to eight schools in Dubai, Accuro Support Services started providing healthy meals for schools in November last year. The service provider now caters to 14,000 students across the schools as they serve healthy meals and food for school students.

Giles Dale, CEO, Accuro Support Services says there is a growing need for quality food in schools as they are becoming increasingly aware of the nutritional requirements of younger kids.

“Most school caterers serve snacks or small meals as a side-business. There are very few specialised meal providers who design a menu suitable for individual schools and work in partnership with the kids and teachers,” says Giles.

While every school has its own requirements, the major challenge is to meet the taste expectations of students who choose to have their meals at school.

“There are Asian schools, Arab schools and western-expat schools and the food served has to be different. Also, the pricing depends on the meal served and it differs from school to school. Some schools have a retail environment where a child carries cash and buys the meal on their own, whereas others have their own lunch programme,” says Giles.

Emphasising on food safety and food quality, the group has also hired a dedicated full time nutritionist to look into the needs of school students.

While school authorities stress on creating healthy eating habits, the role of parents has become increasingly important as they are advised to start teaching the kids good eating habits from home.

Caroline Kanaan, Clinical Dietician at Advanced Nutrition Centre says, “Kids should not leave the home without having breakfast, which should be the first meal of the day. The adults in a home should set an example by eating healthy and this is where the kids start learning.”

She adds, “A lot of the times what kids get are starch products and cereals but what they don’t eat is a lot of cooked vegetables prepared in a healthy way. Families should incorporate vegetables into their meals.”

Advising school students to avoid packaged foods, Caroline says, “School students should try and have atleast two portions of fresh fruits every day. Too many sweets, cookies, biscuits and chocolates should also be avoided,” says Caroline.

The Dubai British School follows a strict lunch-box policy where parents are advised not to send junk foods.

“Every parent receives a circular informing them about the healthy foods that are allowed during school hours. Sometimes, if a parent does not send the right food, we return the lunch box and make arrangements for alternate meals with the parent’s permission,” said Lisa Price, school nurse, Dubai British School.

The school also does surprise tiffin checks where a teacher monitors the food sent from home and makes recommendations if needed.

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