The school environment is recognized as having a powerful influence on the dietary patterns of today's youth. The 1996 Center for Disease Control "Guidelines for School Health Programs to Promote Lifelong Healthy Eating" identify teacher-mediated practices, such as allowing classroom snacks and parties and use of food to reward as factors that may serve to reinforce or negate adoption of healthy eating habits by students. While media reports suggest these practices are common, little is known about actual prevalence. As a part of the Teens Eating for Energy and Nutrition at School (TEENS) project, a group randomized school-based dietary intervention trial in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area, over 700 middle school teachers were surveyed regarding classroom and school-wide food practices, personal health and eating habits and general nutrition knowledge. Preliminary analysis (n=350), revealed that 74% (n=259) of teachers had used candy as student reward, with more than one-third (35%;n=124) reporting use at least 2-3 times a month. Fifty-four percent (n=187) of teachers allowed students to eat in the classroom and 25% (n=87) allowed students to drink soft drinks. An overwhelming majority of teachers (75%; n=262) agreed that high fat and high sugar foods are used as reward because students prefer these foods. Final analysis of study findings will be presented and implications for the nutritional health of students and school-based dietary interventions will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify the behaviors of middle school teachers that influence the development of student eating habits. 2. Assess the implications for the overall nutritional health of youth. 3. Describe school-based dietary interventions that promote adoption of healthy eating patterns by youth
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Nutrition
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.