Search

University food environments have a strong influence on the dietary choices of students and staff. The aim of this study was to assess the food environment at a large university in Sydney, Australia. Data were collected between March and July 2022 from 27 fixed food outlets and 24 vending machines. The healthiness of the food environment was evaluated using the Healthy Food and Drink in NSW Health Facilities for Staff and Visitors Framework ('Framework'), which assesses food environment parameters including the availability, placement, and promotion of 'Everyday' (healthy) and 'Occasional' (less healthy) products. Each parameter was evaluated overall and across each food outlet type. Across all outlets, Everyday foods and drinks made up 43.9% of all products. Only two outlets met the Framework's product availability benchmark of ≥75% Everyday foods and drinks. A total of 43 outlets (84.3%) sold sugary drinks as part of their product range. Occasional products made up 68.4%, 53.3%, and 59.9% of all items for sale at checkout areas, countertops, and eye-level shelves, respectively. Finally, 79.7% of meal deals included Occasional products. Our findings highlight the need to improve the availability, placement, and promotion of foods and drinks sold at a major university campus in Sydney, Australia.

Objective To determine the contribution of pre-packaged foods to population sodium intake in China, and to propose sodium content targets for food subcategories used for the World Health Organization's (WHO's) global sodium benchmarks. Methods The impact of four different approaches to reducing the sodium content of pre-packaged foods on population sodium intake was estimated using data from national databases covering the nutrient content and ingredients of 51 803 food products and food consumption by 15 670 Chinese adults. We recategorized food products using a food categorization framework developed for WHO's global sodium benchmarks and adapted for China-specific foods. Findings Pre-packaged foods, including condiments, contributed 1302.5 mg/day of sodium intake per adult in 2021, accounting for 30.1% of population sodium intake in China. Setting maximum sodium content levels using a 90th-percentile target would reduce sodium intake from pre-packaged foods by 96.2 mg/day, corresponding to a 1.9% reduction in population intake. Using the 75th-percentile, a fixed 20% reduction and WHO benchmark targets would further reduce intake by 262.0 mg/day (5.2% population intake), 302.8 mg/day (6.0% population intake) and 701.2 mg/day per person (13.9% population intake), respectively. Maximum sodium content levels based on revised 20% reduction targets were proposed because they should result in substantial and acceptable reductions in sodium content for most food subcategories: overall sodium intake would decline by 305.0 mg/day per person, and population intake by 6.1%. Conclusion This study provides the scientific rationale for government policy on setting targets for food sodium content in China. Simultaneous action on discretionary salt use should also be taken. [Phrase omitted] Objectifs relatifs a la teneur en sodium des aliments preemballes en Chine: etude quantitative et proposition Objectif Determiner dans quelle mesure les denrees alimentaires preemballees contribuent a l'apport en sodium au sein de la population chinoise et proposer des objectifs pour en limiter la teneur parmi les sous-categories d'aliments reprises dans les criteres de reference mondiaux de l'Organisation mondiale de la Sante (OMS). Methodes Nous avons estime l'impact de quatre approches differentes visant a reduire la teneur en sodium des denrees alimentaires preemballees sur l'apport sode de la population en utilisant les informations issues de bases de donnees nationales sur la teneur en nutriments et les ingredients de 51 803 produits alimentaires ainsi que la consommation en nourriture de 15 670 adultes chinois. Nous avons reclasse les produits alimentaires a l'aide d'un systeme de categorisation des aliments developpe dans le cadre des criteres de reference mondiaux de l'OMS et adapte aux habitudes alimentaires du pays. Resultats Les denrees alimentaires preemballees, y compris les condiments, representaient un apport sode de 1302,5 mg/jour par adulte en 2021, ce qui equivaut a 30,1% de l'apport en sodium au sein de la population chinoise. Etablir un objectif fonde sur le 90e percentile afin de definir une teneur maximale en sodium permettrait de reduire l'apport sode des denrees alimentaires preemballees de 96,2 mg/jour, ce qui correspond a une diminution de 1,9% de l'apport dans la population. Utiliser le 75e percentile, une reduction fixe de 20% et les criteres de reference mondiaux de l'OMS ferait encore baisser l'apport de 262,0 mg/jour (5,2% de l'apport dans la population), 302,8 mg/jour (6,0% de l'apport dans la population) et 701,2 mg/jour par personne (13,9% de l'apport dans la population) respectivement. Enfin, une teneur maximale en sodium inspiree des nouveaux objectifs de 20% de reduction a ete proposee car elle devrait entrainer un recul considerable et acceptable de la teneur en sodium pour la plupart des sous-categories d'aliments: l'apport sode global diminuerait de 305,0 mg/jour par personne et l'apport dans la population de 6,1%. Conclusion Cette etude fournit les arguments scientifiques necessaires a la mise en reuvre d'une politique gouvernementale qui definirait des objectifs relatifs a la teneur en sodium des denrees alimentaires en Chine. Des actions concomitantes en matiere d'utilisation du sel de table et de cuisine devraient egalement etre entreprises. Objetivos sobre el contenido de sodio de los alimentos preenvasados, China: estudio cuantitativo y propuesta Objetivo Determinar como los alimentos preenvasados propician la ingesta de sodio en la poblacion China, y proponer objetivos centrados en el contenido de sodio de las subcategorias alimenticias utilizadas en las referencias mundiales de sodio de la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Metodos Se evaluo la repercusion de cuatro enfoques diferentes destinados a reducir el contenido de sodio de los alimentos preenvasados en la ingesta de sodio poblacional. Para ello, se utilizo informacion de las bases de datos nacionales acerca del contenido en nutrientes y los ingredientes de 51 803 productos alimenticios, asi como sobre el consumo de alimentos de 15 670 chinos adultos. Restablecimos las categorias de los productos alimenticios utilizando un esquema de clasificacion alimenticia desarrollado para englobar las referencias mundiales de sodio de la OMS, adaptado a alimentos especificos de China. Resultados Los alimentos preenvasados, incluidos los condimentos, representaban 1302,5 mg/dia de la ingesta de sodio por adulto en 2021, lo que suponia un 30,1% de la ingesta de sodio de la poblacion China. Establecer niveles maximos de contenido en sodio utilizando como objetivo un percentil 90 reduciria la ingesta de sodio de los alimentos preenvasados en 96,2 mg/dia, lo que corresponde a una reduccion del 1,9% en la ingesta poblacional. Utilizando el percentil 75, una reduccion fija del 20% y los objetivos de referencia de la OMS se seguiria reduciendo la ingesta en 262,0 mg/dia (5,2% de la ingesta poblacional), 302,8 mg/dia (6,0% de la ingesta poblacional) y 701,2 mg/dia por persona (13,9% de la ingesta poblacional) respectivamente. Se propusieron niveles maximos de contenido en sodio basados en objetivos revisados relativos a una reduccion del 20%, lo que supondria una disminucion significativa y adecuada del contenido de sodio de la mayoria de subcategorias alimenticias: la ingesta global de sodio disminuiria en 305,0 mg/dia por persona, y la ingesta poblacional se reduciria en un 6,1%. Conclusion El presente estudio ofrece fundamentos cientificos relevantes para la politica gubernamental, acerca del establecimiento de objetivos centrados en el contenido de sodio alimenticio de productos de China. Asimismo, se deberian adoptar medidas simultaneas relativas al consumo de sal opcional., Introduction Sodium is an essential nutrient for which humans have a physiological need of as little as 200 to 500 mg/day. (1,2) The primary dietary contributor is the salt (i.e. [...]

: Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the nature and consequences of student vaping in Australian primary and secondary schools by consulting staff working in these settings. Methods: A national sample of 196 school staff was accessed via a web panel provider and administered an online survey about students’ e‐cigarette use. Three‐quarters of the survey respondents were teachers/teacher aides, with the remainder divided between those in other student‐facing roles and office staff. Results: A majority (78%) of respondents expressed concern about current levels of vaping in schools. Around half reported negative outcomes relating to mental well‐being, social/peer interactions, and school performance. Only one‐third of respondents reported a vaping policy (35%) or vaping‐prevention education (31%) being in place at their schools. Conclusions: E‐cigarette use in schools is an area of concern for school staff, yet relevant policies and education programs appear to be lacking. Implications for public health: Schools represent a key context for encouraging health promoting behaviours and discouraging harmful behaviours, including vaping. These results highlight the need to monitor and address student e‐cigarette use in schools and provide staff with greater support to prevent the negative consequences associated with vaping by children at school and beyond., Rates of youth vaping are increasing across the world,[sup.1] including in Australia where there are strict regulations governing the availability of e‐cigarettes.[sup.2,3] While there remains a degree of controversy within [...]

: Objective: Little attention has been given to the health status and lifestyle behaviours of expectant fathers. This study aimed to examine health‐related variables in a cohort of expectant fathers to identify potential focus areas for interventions designed to optimise health and wellbeing outcomes in this group. Methods: Partners of pregnant women who accessed antenatal services at a large maternity unit in a Western Australian hospital were recruited as part of the ORIGINS Project. Analyses were conducted on data from 498 expectant fathers who were primarily of mid and high socioeconomic status. Results: Participants reported relatively low levels of smoking and alcohol consumption and higher physical activity compared to national averages. Weight status was consistent with population norms for adult males: 76% were overweight or obese and 62% had a waist girth ≥94cm. Conclusions: Expectant fathers may benefit from health interventions, especially in relation to managing their weight during this phase of their lives and beyond. Implications for public health: Pregnancy represents a valuable opportunity to engage fathers‐to‐be in health interventions. Given identified links between paternal weight status and offspring outcomes, interventions focusing on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight among expectant fathers could be beneficial for families., Parents play a determining role in their children's health and wellbeing from preconception onwards.[sup.1] Influence occurs via a range of pathways including epigenetic, environmental and behavioural mechanisms.[sup.2,3] In terms of [...]