Association between food-outlet availability near secondary schools and junk-food purchasing among Australian adolescents

Abstract

Objectives: We sought to investigate the association between food-outlet availability near Australian secondary schools and frequency of Australian students' discretionary food purchases.

Methods: Secondary-school students in Perth (Western Australia) reported the frequency of their discretionary food purchases from food outlets near their school (17 schools, n = 2389 students grades 7-12, ages 12-17 y). Food-outlet availability was sourced from local governments, then geocoded. A mixed-effects model was used in analyses.

Results: Almost half of students (45%) purchased discretionary foods from food outlets near their secondary school at least weekly. Only the density of top-ranking fast-food chain outlets near secondary schools was associated with a significant increase in the frequency of discretionary food purchases.

Conclusions: Availability of major fast-food chains near Australian secondary schools appears to be a key driver of Australian students' discretionary food purchasing. Restricting these outlets near schools may help reduce adolescents' discretionary food intake.

Keywords: Adolescents; Discretionary foods; Fast food; Junk food; School food environment; Students.