School environment and adherence to school meals among Brazilian public-school adolescents

Objective: To assess whether the school environment is associated with adherence to school meals among adolescent students in Brazilian public schools. Methods: Data from the 2015 National School Health Survey were analyzed. The provision of school meals was assessed according to student report and adherence through the frequency of weekly consumption, classified as adherence (>= 3x/week), unsatisfactory adherence (<= 2x/week), and non-adherence (none). The following characteristics of the school environment were considered: availability of a properly functioning kitchen and dining hall, cafeteria, and alternative outlets inside or outside schools, and sale of unhealthy food in the cafeteria and alternative outlets. Prevalence estimates were calculated considering the sample's complex design. Results: 86.5% of public schools offered school meals, to which 31.3% of students adhered, 37.9% had unsatisfactory adherence, and 30.8% did not adhere to school meals. Adherence to school meals was higher among schoolchildren in the Midwest Region, from non-capitals, and rural area, while less adherence was observed among students from schools with a cafeteria, an alternative food outlet, and a cafeteria selling soft drinks. Conclusions: Low adherence to school meals is associated with the school geography and food environment. These results can support the formulation of actions to improve the school environment and help the universality of participation in the School Nutrition and Food Policy.