'Obesogenic' School Food Environments? An Urban Case Study in The Netherlands

Equity Focus

This study targets and defined socio-economic differences in the school food environment in urban schools in the Netherlands. Food shops, ready-to-eat products, food advertising in shops and food advertising in public places within 400 m of all secondary schools were analysed.

Case Summary

This project aimed to explore and define socio-economic (SES) differences in urban school food environments in The Netherlands. Retail food outlets, ready-to-eat products, in-store food promotions and food advertisements in public space were determined within 400 m
walking distance of all secondary schools in the 4th largest city of The Netherlands. In total, 115 retail outlets sold ready-to-eat food and drink products during school hours. Fast food outlets were more often in the vicinity of schools in lower SES (28.6%) than in higher SES areas (11.5%). In general, unhealthy options (e.g., fried snacks, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB)) were more often for sale, in-store promoted or advertised in comparison with healthy options (e.g., fruit, vegetables, bottled water). Sport/energy drinks were more often for sale, and fried snacks/fries, hamburgers/kebab and SSB were more often promoted or advertised in lower SES areas than in higher SES-areas.

Lessons Learned

  • In general, unhealthy food options were more often presented than the healthy options, but only a few SES differences were observed. The results, however, imply that efforts in all school areas are needed to make the healthy option the default option during school time.

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CASE STUDY
2018

'Obesogenic' School Food Environments? An Urban Case Study in The Netherlands

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NETHERLANDS