New Regulations for Foods Offered to School Children in Chile: Barriers to Implementation
Journal Title: International Journal of Nutrition - Year 2015, Vol 1, Issue 3
Abstract
Objective: To prevent childhood obesity, the Chilean government has recently implemented food regulation laws that apply to schools. This paper reviews the literature regarding the challenges in successfully integrating policies to regulate foods offered in schools. In addition, to understand some of the potential implementation barriers, a survey was conducted to evaluate how well food regulation laws were understood and implemented in Chilean schools. Methodology: A narrative literature review was conducted regarding food regulation policies in Chilean schools and potential barriers to implementation. This informed a subsequent descriptive, qualitative survey which was conducted in the Valparaíso region of Chile to examine knowledge, practices, and potential barriers to implementation of the new regulations. Twelve randomly-selected school food kiosk owners completed a survey and structured interview. Visual observations were also performed at each food kiosk. Content analysis identified trends in food items sold and determined the depth of understanding kiosk owners have of a specific new food law, "La Composición Nutricional de los Alimentos y Su Publicidad (20.606)." Key Results: 7 articles in Spanish and 10 in English were reviewed. The literature review revealed that unhealthful food options are readily available to Chilean students in school kiosks. The results of the survey and interview indicated that the school kiosk owners surveyed have a general understanding of the food law. 10 out of 12, however, were unsure of the law's exact contents. Unhealthful food options, inconsistent with regulation 20.606 were observed in all 12 visited kiosks. Conclusion: Evidence from a literature review and the survey findings confirm that unhealthful foods persist in Chilean schools, despite government food regulations. Although the majority of the school kiosk owners acknowledge law 20.606, most lack an understanding of its exact contents and their role in promoting healthier foods in schools. Further education of vendors and school administrators is needed to enhance compliance with the new Chilean food regulations.
Authors and Affiliations
Katherine Prochownik, Mariana Vera Vergara, Lawrence J. Cheskin
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP283890
- DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-14-615
- Views 166
- Downloads 0
Influence of Chemical Refining Processes on the Total Phenolics and Antioxidant Activity of Sunflower Oil
The raw sunflower oil (SFO) has an undesirable flavour and odour. Therefore, to make it suitable for human consumption, the oil has to undergo a number of refining processes such as degumming, neutralization, bleaching a...
Exploring the use of an iPhone App: A Novel Approach to Dietary Assessment
Recent advancements in smartphone technology have provided new methods of dietary assessment. An iTunes application (app) called Meal Snap lets users take pictures of the meal they eat, and then estimates the calories of...
Efficacy of a Hypocaloric Mediterranean Diet in Overweight Patients: Factors Predictive of Completion
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of a weight loss programme and the factors that predict successful adherence of the treatment. Methodology: A retrospective chart review of 500 overweight outpatients (427 women, 7...
Food Intake Pattern of Obese Older Patients with Successful Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance on the Basis of Food Energy Density
Objective: Detailed reports in changes of eating habits especially in elderly subjects with successful weight loss and maintenance are virtually unknown. In this paper we have analyzed the eating habits of 104 obese pat...
Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation is Not Anti- Inflammatory in Adipose Tissue of Healthy Obese Postmenopausal Women
Adipose tissue inflammation is associated with obesity comorbidities. Reducing such inflammation may ameliorate these comorbidities. n-3 fatty acids have been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties in obesity, whi...