摘要：Objectives. This study described the food environment in 20 Minnesota secondary schools. Methods. Data were collected on school food policies and the availability and nutritional content of foods in school à la carte (ALC) areas and vending machines (VMs). Results. Approximately 36% and 35% of foods in ALC areas and in VMs, respectively, met the lower-fat criterion (≤ 5.5 fat grams/serving). The chips/crackers category constituted the largest share of ALC foods (11.5%). The median number of VMs per school was 12 (4 soft drink, 2 snack, 5 other). Few school food policies were reported. Conclusions. The availability of healthful foods and beverages in schools as well as school food policies that foster healthful food choices among students needs greater attention. Currently, 14% of US adolescents aged 12 to 19 years are overweight, a 27% increase in prevalence in the past 10 years. 1, 2 Environmental influences can promote excess energy and fat intake, which are a potential factor in this upward secular trend in obesity, through greater availability and intense marketing of high-fat foods as well as larger portion sizes and lower prices. 3, 4 The school food environment can have a significant impact on adolescents’ food choices, because 35% to 40% of youths’ total daily energy is consumed at school. 5, 6 Secondary schools in particular have undergone rapid changes in recent years in terms of the number and types of foods and beverages available and marketed in schools. 5, 7– 13 Reimbursable school meals offered through the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch Program must meet federally mandated nutrition guidelines; “competitive foods” such as those sold à la carte (ALC) or in a vending machine (VM) have no federal nutrition guidelines. 14, 15 The few available data suggest that these foods are higher in fat compared with foods sold as part of a school lunch program. 7– 9 A recent national study found that most high schools offered high-fat cookies or cakes (80%); pizza, burgers, or sandwiches (76%); and french fries (62%) in ALC areas and that 95% had soft drinks and candy or snack VMs available. However, 90% offered fruits and vegetables, and 48% offered low-fat yogurt, low-fat cookies, or low-fat pastry. 9 Few school or school district policies were reported that could support more healthful food choices by students at school. 9 Despite the potential influence of competitive food availability and school nutrition policies on student food choices, few descriptive data are currently available. We provide detailed descriptive information on the food environment in secondary schools to help better the understanding of current environmental influences on adolescents’ food choices and to improve the planning of more effective school-based nutrition interventions and policies targeting environmental influences on adolescents’ food choices at school.
