Pupil snacks: The extent to which food and drink policies in Wirral schools promote health

Abstract

Objective To examine evidence of policies that underpin the consumption of food and drink (excluding lunch) in Wirral, Merseyside schools. Design A cross-sectional descriptive survey was used. Setting Nursery, primary, secondary and special needs schools in Wirral, Merseyside. Method The questionnaire survey was distributed to headteachers in Wirral's 137 schools, using the Local Education Authority's internal mailing system. Results The response rate was 109 schools (80 per cent). The results suggest that whilst there was some evidence of policies that regulated snack foods and drinks in Wirral schools, these were confined mainly to primary schools. There was very little evidence of consultation in the policy-making process beyond headteachers and school teaching staff. Headteachers were given the opportunity to request help in developing health promoting snack policies and 62 schools (57 per cent) indicated that they would like help. Conclusion The key findings of this research are: there is very little evidence of health promoting snack policies in Wirral schools, apart from those that regulate foods and drinks brought into primary schools, and there is almost no evidence of wide ranging consultation and part icipation in the policy making process. A positive outcome is that a majority of the participating schools stated that they would welcome help in developing nutrition policy. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that schools require constructive information, motivation through examples of good practice and support to encourage the development of health promoting nutrition policy.