Implementation of healthy school canteens in schools of the Federal District, Brazil

Objective A methodology for assessing the implementation of healthy school canteens in schools of the Federal District was developed and administered. Methods A descriptive study was done in 2006 to assess the following: a) an educational intervention that trained canteen owners and implemented ten steps to a healthy school canteen; and b) canteen profiles on three different occasions: before the training course and six and twenty-four months after. A system was then developed for classifying the healthiness of the preparations. Results Thirty-five canteen owners were trained and nine participated in all three canteen assessments. Compliance with the ten steps to a healthy school canteen and availability of healthier snacks increased from the first to the second assessment, but not to the third. Although canteen owners were no longer compliant with the intervention, they tried to stay more in touch with other canteens interested in offering healthy snacks (p=0.002). Conclusion The training course had positive results, especially in the short run. However, the one-year follow-up for this group was not enough to ensure sustainability of the actions. Effective implementation and maintenance of healthy canteens require systematic monitoring and legal and scholastic support.