Examining opportunities for promotion of healthy eating at children's sports clubs.
OBJECTIVE
Australian data indicate that 63% of children participated in sport in 2009, a 4% increase since 2000. Children's high participation in sport, and the association between sport and health, means that these settings provide an opportunity to promote other aspects of health, such as healthy eating, to children. This study aimed to determine healthy eating practices and policies at children's sports clubs.


METHODS
Sports clubs (n=108) for the nine most popular sports for children aged 5 to 14 were randomly sampled from three large geographical areas across one state and one territory in Australia. A purpose-designed telephone questionnaire for sports club officials was developed to determine the food and beverages sold, provided and promoted at sports clubs and the availability of healthy-eating policies.


RESULTS
The most frequently sold item at canteens was water, followed by sports drinks, chocolate/confectionery and soft drink. Only 20% of canteens promoted healthy food. Thirty-nine per cent of clubs made recommendations on the food and beverages to be consumed during sport, mostly relating to water consumption. The majority (76%) engaged in fundraising; many in collaboration with chocolate/confectionery companies. Only three clubs had a written policy on healthy eating.


CONCLUSIONS
Addressing the low uptake of healthy eating policies would be a useful strategy to improve the healthiness of sports clubs.


CONCLUSIONS
Policies could seek to reduce the availability and promotion of unhealthy food and beverages through canteens, vending machines and fundraising.
Prevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales. bridget.kelly@sydney.edu.au
Bridget
B
Kelly
Louise A
LA
Baur
Adrian E
AE
Bauman
Lesley
L
King
Kathy
K
Chapman
Ben J
BJ
Smith
D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D001628:Beverages; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004435:Eating; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D020446:Fitness Centers; D005502:Food; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires