Primary school food environment in Mauritius

• Published in: Nutrition and food science Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 251 - 259
• Main Authors: Chan Sun, M., Lalsing, Y., Subratty, A.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Group Publishing Limited 22.05.2009
• Subjects: Blood pressure; child nutrition; Children & youth; Children age groups; Data collection; diabetes; dietary surveys; Education; Elementary schools; elementary students; Food; food choices; food quality; fried foods; Health behavior; healthy food choices; Human resources; Mauritius; Meals; Nutrition; Nutrition research; Obesity; obesity-related diseases; Primary schools; Quality of life; rural areas; School environment; school meals; Schools; Small & medium sized enterprises-SME; statistical analysis; Studies; sweets; urban areas; Mauritius; Obesity; Primary schools; Mauritius; Children (age groups); Food
• ISSN: 0034-6659; 1758-6917
• DOI: 10.1108/00346650910957500

Purpose - With the increasing rise in obesity and diabetes in Mauritius, the school food environment in Mauritius is becoming a major concern. No study in Mauritius has so far examined the perspective of school head teachers pertaining to food items sold in schools. The purpose of this paper is to determine the primary school food environment in Mauritius.Design methodology approach - A national postal survey of all the 212 public primary schools in Mauritius was undertaken. A pilot study was initially carried out, followed by administration of a mail questionnaire to all head teachers. The methodology included a validity testing phase. Frequency and associated Pearson's and Fisher's 2 tests were used for data analysis.Findings - An 82.1 per cent response rate was obtained. The findings showed that a variety of food items were proposed to schoolchildren. Confectioneries were sold in 97.7 per cent schools while deep-fried foods were on sale in 76.6 per cent schools although canteen guidelines are provided to schools. No school sold a complete meal. No statistical difference has been noted between food items sold in urban primary schools and those sold in rural primary schools (p > 0.05).Originality value - This national study highlights that many less healthy food choices are offered to Mauritian school children, thus undermining their health and nutrition status of Mauritian school children. There is need for urgent action to change the school food environment in order to prevent obesity among school children for a healthier Mauritius.