Comparison of School Food Policies and Food Preparation Practices before and after the Local Wellness Policy among Indiana High Schools

Abstract

Background: Federal legislation requires local education agencies or school districts to develop a local wellness policy. No data-based research using a prospective cohort of a representative sample of secondary schools has been conducted to investigate the impact of the local wellness policy. Purpose: To investigate changes in school food policies and food preparation practices before and after the local wellness policy was implemented in Indiana high schools. Methods: The principal or food service director of 226 food-serving Indiana high schools participated in a survey in February-March 2006. Of the 226 schools, 150 participated in the follow-up survey in April-May 2007 (response rate: 66%). Results: The proportion of schools was significantly reduced that offered chocolate candy (63% to 39%), non-low-fat cookies or crackers (79% to 53%), soda pop (83%) to 63%), and non-low-fat salty snacks (72% to 43%). The proportion of schools that prohibited junk foods from being offered significantly increased (29% to 68%). However, no significant increase was observed in the proportion of schools that offered fruit (75% to 76%), vegetable salads (71% to 75%), or 100%) fruit juice (83% to 84%). Also, little significant improvement was observed in food preparation practices. Discussion: Additional improvement should be made in food preparation practices and providing more healthy foods. Translation to Health Education Practice: More schools should offer students fruits, vegetables, and 100% fruit juice and make an effort to improve food preparation practices as little improvement was observed in these areas after the local wellness policy was developed. Positive effects of local wellness policies are limited. School health educators and professionals need to advocate the adoption of a minimum federal standard for the school wellness policy rather than allowing each LEA or school district to develop its own wellness policy.