Two New Research Briefs from Child Trends

December 22, 2008 – Child Trends recently published two new and important research briefs-- one on foods available in schools, and the other investigating school environments as they relate to adolescent wellbeing.

The first brief, School Food Unwrapped: What’s Available and What Our Kids Actually Are Eating, looks at the food available in elementary schools, including cafeteria options, vending machines, school stores, and other outlets, and measures the progress of school nutrition and physical activity initiatives.  The brief highlights some key findings that many will find surprising, and that may have an important impact on obesity prevention.  For example, contrary to popular opinion, most of the unhealthy foods that children purchase at school are chosen from the variety of options available in the school cafeteria, not from vending machines.

The major implications of this research include: schools that have begun to offer healthier foods can accomplish even more by curbing access to unhealthy options, therefore improving the ratio of healthy to unhealthy foods; expanding the focus of nutrition programs to include all schools, instead of only those serving low-income, urban populations warrants serious consideration; and in addition to providing healthier choices, schools need to supplement their efforts with nutrition education programming.

The second research brief, The School Environment and Adolescent Well-Being: Beyond Academics examines the web of adolescent developmental issues that contribute to and are impacted by school environments.  Designed for school principals, district staff, and other administrators, this report looks at the school environment of adolescents through the lens of health, safety, social support, academics, and civic engagement.

Because these five focus areas overlap in such a complicated manner, Child Trends suggests that they cannot be examined effectively as separate issues.  The brief highlights the factors that fall into each focus area, how schools are addressing them, and the role they play in affecting the overall school environment.  The main take away from this publication is to ensure that one area will not be sacrificed in favor of another, as all have an effect on adolescent wellbeing and overall school environment.

To learn more about the importance of having school health programs to improve the health of children, check out our “101” packets, which contain valuable materials, resources, and sample policies that can help with policy and program development.