2013, Number 3
Availability of food and drinks in 24 schools of Mexico City, according to their energy density
Pfeffer F, Pedraza E, Loria A, Pardío J, Naranjo IB, Ávalos LG
Full text
Language: Spanish
References: 13
Page: 114-124
PDF size: 221.62 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Background: The Mexican ministries of Health (SSA) and Education (SEP) launched the program «Lineamientos generales», aiming to decrease the energy density of the foods offered by primary schools in their eating facilities, and to increase the consumption of water. Objective: To characterize the products offered during the first and second stages of the program by 24 Mexico City schools, on the basis of their energy density (kcal/g). Methods: The 24 schools were visited in 4 occasions. In each visit, an inventory list product was programmed, but only one school completed all the visits. A total of 47 inventories were carried out (three inventories in seven schools, two inventories in six, and one in 10). Results: The 198 products of the 47 inventories were classified as low- and high-energy density products (‹ 1.6 & ≥ 1.6 kcal/g), and the proportion of low and high energy density foods in the total number of foods of each inventory was calculated. Only seven schools had more low than high-energy density foods (51% to 82%), two were tied (50%), and 15 schools had more high than low energy density products, with eight of the latter reaching proportions of 71% to 100%. Also, the 10 tuition schools had a significantly higher proportion of high energy-density foods than the 14 free government schools, and also a higher number of sweetened beverages. There was absolutely no change or a small one in all but one of the 14 schools with more than one inventory (the exception increased four times its initial mean energy density). Conclusions: The energy density of the food available was high in a majority of our 24 schools. Also, these schools did not show any of the changes that the program was hoping for.REFERENCES
Acuerdo Nacional para la Salud Alimentaria. Estrategia contra el sobrepeso y la obesidad. Programa de acción en el contexto escolar. Acuerdo mediante el cual se establecen los lineamientos generales para el expendio o distribución de alimentos y bebidas en los establecimientos de consumo escolar de los planteles de educación básica. Diario Oficial de la Federación. México: Secretaría de Salud, Secretaría de Educación Pública; 2010.