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Examining the nutritional quality of food and beverage consumed at Melbourne aquatic and recreation centres
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posted on 2017-04-01, 00:00 authored by Tara Boelsen-RobinsonTara Boelsen-Robinson, Alexandra Chung, M Khalil, Emily Wong, A Kurzeme, Anna PeetersAnna PeetersOBJECTIVE: Examine the nutritional quality of food and beverages consumed across a sample of community aquatic and recreation centres in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. METHODS: Interviewer-administered surveys of randomly selected patrons attending four aquatic and recreation centres were conducted to ascertain food and beverage items consumed over two data collection periods (May-June 2014, January-February 2015). We selected centres in and around metropolitan Melbourne with a sit-down cafeteria and children's swimming classes. We classified items by government nutrient profiling guidelines; 'green' (best choice), 'amber' (choose carefully) or 'red' (limit). RESULTS: A total of 2,326 surveys were conducted (response rate 63%). Thirty-five per cent of surveyed patrons consumed food or beverages while at the centre; 54% of patrons purchased from the café and 61% brought items to the centre. More than half the food consumed from the café was 'red', increasing to 92% for children. One in five children visiting the centre consumed a 'red' item bought from the centre café. CONCLUSIONS: The nutritional quality of food and beverages consumed at recreation centres was generally poor, with the on-site cafés providing the majority of discretionary items consumed. Implications for public health: Community aquatic and recreation centres provide an opportunity to promote healthy eating by increasing the provision of healthy options and limiting discretionary food and drink items.
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Journal
Australian and New Zealand journal of public healthVolume
41Issue
2Pagination
184 - 186Publisher
Wiley-BlackwellLocation
Chichester, Eng.Publisher DOI
eISSN
1753-6405Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2017, The AuthorsUsage metrics
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