O-72 Assessing the school nutrition and physical activity environment post implementation of Barbados’ School Nutrition Policy

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional primary schoolbased study in Barbados. Senior teachers/principals completed a survey about the nutrition and physical activity environment which was based on five of the six components of the BSNP and included questions from the “School Record Form from the World Health Organization Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative”. We invited children ages 6 to 11 to answer questions about eating habits adapted from the Global School-Based Health Survey. Weight and height were measured for each child. We performed descriptive analyses including proportions and 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Of the 97 primary schools in Barbados, 25 principals/senior teachers and 349 children participated. School curriculum: Physical education and nutrition were reportedly a part of the curriculum in 100% and 96% of schools respectively. Physical activity environment: All schools had outdoor facilities and equipment to facilitate students’ involvement in physical activity while only 2 schools had indoor space/gym to facilitate play under poor weather conditions. Food services environment: Paradoxically 76% of school respondents indicated that there was a ban on sugarsweetened beverages (SSBs), while 62% indicated that SSBs were available at school for sale. When students were asked to report their access to SSBs at school, 58 (24.0%) of older students and 42 (21.1%) of younger students stated that they access SSBs at school. We found no significant associations between weight status and school environment characteristics.

Conclusion: The reported execution of BSNP two years post implementation was strong in curriculum education and physical activity but weak in aligning with the nutrition recommendations of the policy. Systematic monitoring is needed to facilitate improvement in policy implementation.