| Schools are a targeted area for the implementation of interventions, programs and policies in the battle to decrease childhood obesity. Current federal policy has been enacted addressing competitive foods within the school setting in an effort to decrease the calories consumed by adolescents from unhealthy snacking practices during school hours, thereby, reducing their risk for obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between offering healthy choices in a school environment, adolescent opinion and snacking behavior. In 2006, two high schools in the Silver Consolidated School District, of southwest New Mexico, implemented a competitive food and beverage policy encompassing healthy choices available from vended food and beverages, a la carte offerings, fundraisers and the cafeteria. Seven years after the policy was initiated, data was gathered on the current competitive food and beverage environment at the two high schools. Students attending the two high schools were surveyed about their opinion and choices of snacking at school and outside of school. A total of 191 questionnaires were completed. Silver High School snacking options were 20% healthier than Cliff High School snacking options. When not in school, Silver adolescents had a greater increase in healthier snacking beyond the school day when compared to Cliff adolescents. Regular milk had the largest reported consumption of unhealthy beverages for both high school students when not at school. Fruits and vegetables was the most frequently reported consumed snack for Silver and Cliff adolescents at school and not at school but neither school in the study offered fruit or vegetables as snacks. The majority of students at both high schools disagreed that the food and beverages sold at their school assisted them in making healthier choices outside of school. Study findings revealed the influences of the macro and physical environment on an adolescent snacking behavior therefore, assisting researchers in developing an understanding of the complex interactions of in-school and out-of-school healthy snacking preferences and practices. |
