The goal of this study was to determine how to improve school marketing environments so that they align with new federal competitive food standards. The research team assessed the food marketing environments in three schools in Portland, Maine, using the food and beverage marketing in schools (FMBS) survey, and provided schools with technical assistance to help them bring their marketing environments to conform to federal competitive food regulations. Data were collected from each school at baseline, pre-intervention, and post-intervention. The completed pre-intervention surveys were used to inform the improvement process at each school, and revealed noncompliant marketing in all three schools pre-intervention. The research team worked with school administrators and wellness committees to create a feasible marketing removal action plan addressing the marketing found in the assessment and gaps between the existing environment and adherence to new guidelines. Noncompliant marketing was inexpensively removed using a variety of methods, and with assistance from product distributors and the Portland public health department.
Investigating How to Align Schools’ Marketing Environments With Federal Standards for Competitive Foods
Published: March 2017
ID #: 71639
Journal: J Sch Health
Authors: Polacsek M, O'Brien LM, Pratt E, Whatley-Blum J, Adler S
Age Groups: Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8), Adolescents (grades 9 to 12)
Focus Areas: Food & Beverage Marketing, School & After School
Resource Type: Journal Article
Keywords: Beverage contracts, Competitive foods, Digital marketing, Food advertising, Media, Nutrition standards, School wellness policies, Snacks, Vending machines
State: Maine
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