Oral Presentation ANZOS-OSSANZ-AOCO Joint Annual Scientific Meeting 2017

Ten years later: Outcomes of the WA healthy food and drink policy (#115)

Simone Pettigrew 1 , Zenobia Talati 1 , Megan Neeson 2 , Amanda Ferguson 2 , Caitlin Worrall 1
  1. Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
  2. WA School Canteen Association, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Schools are recognised as important sites for the implementation of nutrition interventions targeting children. Ten years ago, the Western Australian Government implemented the WA Healthy Food and Drink Policy in public schools. Initial evaluation results indicated that the Policy was well accepted by a range of stakeholders and was considered to have improved the healthiness of foods sold in school canteens. A follow-up study was conducted in late 2016 to assess the extent to which the Policy has been embedded in schools and the resulting outcomes in terms of the healthiness of foods provided on school premises. An online survey was administered to school principals, teachers, canteen managers, and P&C Presidents, with a resulting sample of 307 school representatives, half of whom were located in the metropolitan area and half in regional areas. There were very high levels of awareness of the Policy, and strong support for the Policy was expressed by respondents from all four stakeholder groups. Around two-thirds of respondents reported that their schools’ menus are now healthier and the foods provided are of higher quality compared to prior to the introduction of the Policy. Three-quarters reported that their schools are fully compliant with the Policy, and almost all canteen managers reported compliance with the traffic light food categorisation system. High levels of satisfaction were expressed for current support services provided by the WA School Canteen Association. Suggested areas of assistance included (i) additional information resources that can be sent home to parents to explain and engender support for the Policy, (ii) new curriculum resources to facilitate integration of the Policy with classroom activities, and (iii) additional ideas for fundraising strategies that do not involve unhealthy foods. The results will be used to develop enhanced services that can be delivered to schools to increase Policy compliance.