Mapa de las políticas nutricionales escolares en España / Map of school nutritional policies in Spain

Objetivo: Describir de forma sistemática las políticas nutricionales escolares de las 17 comunidades autónomas de España. Método: Mediante una búsqueda en bases de datos bibliográficas, páginas web y otros sistemas de información oficiales se localizaron 183 documentos de interés. La información se extrajo de manera sistemática con el cuestionario SNIPE (School Nutrition Index of Programme Effectiveness), adaptado a España, y se validó por personal de referencia de las consejerías de sanidad y educación de las comunidades participantes. Resultados: El principal objetivo de las políticas es prevenir la obesidad y mejorar la nutrición de los escolares. Las 17 comunidades autónomas abordan el servicio de comedor escolar, 11 los servicios de cafetería y las máquinas expendedoras, y 9 el servicio de desayuno. Todas las comunidades usan el Documento de Consenso sobre la Alimentación en los Centros Educativos como referencia para la composición del menú y la calidad nutricional de los productos ofertados en la escuela; sin embargo, solo 4 han regulado estos aspectos por decreto. La frecuencia de evaluación de los objetivos de las políticas varió entre el 58,8% de las comunidades para el suministro alimentario y el 5,9% para la rotación y la calidad de los menús. Conclusión: Aunque todas las comunidades autónomas disponen de estándares para el menú escolar, la cobertura del resto de la oferta alimentaria es variable, la evaluación de objetivos escasa y solo 4 comunidades disponen de normativa de obligado cumplimiento. Los estándares nutricionales deben revisarse según el conocimiento científico actual y aprobarse reglamentariamente, en cumplimiento de la legislación vigente (Ley 17/2011). (AU)

Objective: To systematically describe the school nutritional policies of the 17 autonomous communities of Spain. Method: Through a search of bibliographic databases, web pages and other official information systems, 183 documents of interest were identified. Information was systematically collected with the SNIPE (school nutrition index of programme effectiveness) questionnaire, adapted to Spain, and validated by reference staff of the regional government's health and education ministries. Results: The main objective of the policies is to prevent obesity and improve the nutrition of schoolchildren. The 17 autonomous communities cover the school canteen service, 11 cafeteria and vending machines, and 9 the breakfast service. All communities use the Consensus Document on School Food as a reference for the content of the menu and the nutritional quality of the products offered at the school; however, only 4 of them have regulated these aspects. The evaluation of policy objectives ranges from 58.8% of the autonomous communities for food supply to 5.9% for rotation and menu quality. Conclusion: Although all the autonomous communities have standards for the school menu, the standards for the rest of the food supply vary across them; also, evaluation of objectives is scarce and only 4 communities have approved mandatory regulations. Nutritional standards should be reviewed according to current scientific knowledge and enacted by law, in compliance with the current legislation (Act 17/2011). (AU)

[Map of school nutritional policies in Spain]. / Mapa de las políticas nutricionales escolares en España.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically describe the school nutritional policies of the 17 autonomous communities of Spain. METHOD: Through a search of bibliographic databases, web pages and other official information systems, 183 documents of interest were identified. Information was systematically collected with the SNIPE (school nutrition index of programme effectiveness) questionnaire, adapted to Spain, and validated by reference staff of the regional government's health and education ministries. RESULTS: The main objective of the policies is to prevent obesity and improve the nutrition of schoolchildren. The 17 autonomous communities cover the school canteen service, 11 cafeteria and vending machines, and 9 the breakfast service. All communities use the Consensus Document on School Food as a reference for the content of the menu and the nutritional quality of the products offered at the school; however, only 4 of them have regulated these aspects. The evaluation of policy objectives ranges from 58.8% of the autonomous communities for food supply to 5.9% for rotation and menu quality. CONCLUSION: Although all the autonomous communities have standards for the school menu, the standards for the rest of the food supply vary across them; also, evaluation of objectives is scarce and only 4 communities have approved mandatory regulations. Nutritional standards should be reviewed according to current scientific knowledge and enacted by law, in compliance with the current legislation (Act 17/2011).

Presencia de máquinas expendedoras de alimentos y bebidas y perfil nutricional de sus productos en los institutos de enseñanza secundaria de la Comunidad de Madrid, 2014-2015 / Vending machines of food and beverages and nutritional profile of their products at schools in Madrid, Spain, 2014-2015

Fundamento: Las políticas restrictivas del acceso a bebidas azucaradas y alimentos no saludables en el entorno escolar se asocian con patrones de consumo más saludables. En 2010 se aprobó en España el Documento de Consenso sobre la Alimentación en los Centros Educativos con criterios nutricionales para mejorar el perfil nutricional de los alimentos y bebidas ofertados. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la frecuencia de máquinas expendedoras de bebidas y alimentos y perfil nutricional de sus productos en los Institutos de Enseñanza Secundaria (IES) de Madrid. Métodos: Estudio transversal sobre una muestra aleatoria de 330 IES de la Comunidad de Madrid durante el curso 2014-2015. A través de internet y por entrevista telefónica se registraron las características de los centros y la existencia o no de máquinas expendedoras en ellos. Los productos ofertados en una muestra representativa de 6 máquinas expendedoras se obtuvieron mediante inspección in situ y su composición nutricional se tomó del etiquetado. Por último, el perfil nutricional de los productos se analizó con el modelo del Reino Unido, que clasifica los productos en saludables y menos saludables. Resultados: La prevalencia de máquinas expendedoras fue del 17,3%. El 80,5% de sus productos fueron menos saludables, altamente energéticos, ricos en grasa o azúcar y pobres en micronutrientes. El 10,5% resultaron ser productos saludables. Conclusión: Las máquinas expendedoras son frecuentes en los IES de Madrid y la mayoría de sus productos tienen un mal perfil nutricional (AU)

Background: Policies restricting access to sugary drinks and unhealthy foods in the school environment are associated with healthier consumption patterns. In 2010, Spain approved a Consensus Document regarding Food at Schools with nutritional criteria to improve the nutritional profile of foods and drinks served at schools. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of food and drink vending machines at secondary schools in Madrid, the products offered at them and their nutritional profile. Methods: Cross-sectional study of a random sample of 330 secondary schools in Madrid in 2014-2015. The characteristics of the schools and the existence of vending machines were recorded through the internet and by telephone interview. The products offered in a representative sample of 6 vending machines were identified by in situ inspection, and its nutritional composition was taken from its labeling. Finally, the nutritional profile of each product was analyzed with the United Kingdom profile model, which classifies products as healthy and less healthy. Results: The prevalence of vending machines was 17.3%. Among the products offered, 80.5% were less healthy food and drinks (high in energy, fat or sugar and poor in nutrients) and 10.5% were healthy products. Conclusion: Vending machines are common at secondary schools in Madrid. Most products at vending machines are still less healthy (AU)

Menú escolar de los centros de enseñanza secundaria de Madrid: conocimiento y cumplimiento de las recomendaciones del Sistema Nacional de Salud / Secondary school menu in Madrid (Spain): knowledge and adherence to the Spanish National Health System recommendations

Objetivo: Establecer, en la Comunidad de Madrid, el grado de conocimiento y cumplimiento de las recomendaciones del Documento de consenso del Sistema Nacional de Salud sobre la alimentación en los centros educativos. Métodos: Estudio transversal con una muestra aleatoria de 182 centros de enseñanza secundaria de Madrid con comedor escolar en el curso 2013-2014. A través de Internet y entrevista telefónica se recogió información sobre las características de los centros y el conocimiento de las recomendaciones, y se recabó una copia del menú escolar. Para cada ítem alimentario se calculó la media de raciones consumidas y el porcentaje de centros dentro del rango recomendado. La adherencia global se calculó como la media del número de alimentos (0-12) dentro del rango. Resultados: El 65,5% de los centros desconocían el documento de consenso. La oferta de arroz, pasta, pescados, huevos, ensalada y fruta fue inferior a la recomendada, y la de carne, guarniciones y otros postres fue superior. El porcentaje de colegios dentro del rango para cada ítem alimentario varió entre el 13% y el 95%. La media de adherencia global fue de 6,3, sin diferencias en función de si el centro disponía o no de cocina propia o de un responsable de nutrición. Conclusión: El grado de adherencia a las recomendaciones fue variable. Se aconseja aumentar la oferta de cereales, huevos, pescado, ensalada y fruta. Se requieren programas de difusión e implementación de las recomendaciones del documento de consenso, contando con profesionales adecuadamente formados, para mejorar el valor nutricional del menú escolar (AU)

Objective: To establish the degree of knowledge and adherence to the Spanish National Health System recommendations on nutrition in schools in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. Methods: Cross-sectional study of a random sample of 182 secondary schools from Madrid, during 2013-2014 school year. Information on the characteristics of the schools and the knowledge of the recommendations was collected by internet and telephone interviews, as well as a copy of the school menu. The average number of rations per week offered for each food item and the percentage of schools within the recommended range were calculated. The overall adherence was obtained as the mean of food items (0-12) within the range. Results: 65.5% of the schools were unaware of the national recommendations. The supply of rice, pasta, fish, eggs, salad and fruit was lower than recommended, whereas for meat, accompaniment and other desserts was higher. The percentage of schools within the range for each food item varied between 13% and 95%. The mean of overall adherence was 6.3, with no differences depending on whether the menu was prepared or not at schools or there was or not a person in charge of nutrition standards. Conclusions: The degree of adherence to the recommendations was variable, being advised to increase the supply of cereals, eggs, fish, salad and fruit. Programs for dissemination and implementation of the recommendations, leaded by trained professionals, are required to improve the nutritional value of school menu (AU)

[Secondary school menu in Madrid (Spain): knowledge and adherence to the Spanish National Health System recommendations]. / Menú escolar de los centros de enseñanza secundaria de Madrid: conocimiento y cumplimiento de las recomendaciones del Sistema Nacional de Salud.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the degree of knowledge and adherence to the Spanish National Health System recommendations on nutrition in schools in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of a random sample of 182 secondary schools from Madrid, during 2013-2014 school year. Information on the characteristics of the schools and the knowledge of the recommendations was collected by internet and telephone interviews, as well as a copy of the school menu. The average number of rations per week offered for each food item and the percentage of schools within the recommended range were calculated. The overall adherence was obtained as the mean of food items (0-12) within the range. RESULTS: 65.5% of the schools were unaware of the national recommendations. The supply of rice, pasta, fish, eggs, salad and fruit was lower than recommended, whereas for meat, accompaniment and other desserts was higher. The percentage of schools within the range for each food item varied between 13% and 95%. The mean of overall adherence was 6.3, with no differences depending on whether the menu was prepared or not at schools or there was or not a person in charge of nutrition standards. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of adherence to the recommendations was variable, being advised to increase the supply of cereals, eggs, fish, salad and fruit. Programs for dissemination and implementation of the recommendations, leaded by trained professionals, are required to improve the nutritional value of school menu.