5224.0: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 5:06 PM

Abstract #29755

Eating and Exercise Opportunities Surrounding Selected Maryland Schools: An Environmental Assessment

Yvonne L. Bronner, ScD, RD1, Susan M. Gross, PhD, MPH, RD, Toby Ebede3, David M. Paige, MD, MPH4, and Natalie Dewberry-Moore, MS1. (1) Department of Public Health, Morgan State University, 343 Jenkins Hall, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251, (2) Departmen of Public Health, Morgan State University, 343 Jenkins Hall, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251, (3) School of Public Health, Department of Population and Family Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Hampton House, room 280, 624 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205

Availability of food from establishments surrounding the school may influence a student’s eating behavior. Availability of sidewalks and recreation areas may influence a student’s exercise habits. This paper describes the environment surrounding selected Maryland public schools for eating and exercise opportunities. Schools of all grade levels were selected to represent the demographic profile of urban (n=17), suburban (n=8) and rural (n=11) schools in Maryland. Data was collected on all eating and exercise opportunities within a half mile of urban schools and within a mile of suburban and rural schools. Data sheets and maps were used to record the retail and dining establishments, parks and playgrounds. Sidewalks surrounding the school were assessed for safety. Univariate and bivariate analyses used SPSS version 9. The mean number of eating opportunities in the assessment area of each school were 8.14 (se=0.99). The most common type of food purchasing establishment were neighborhood stores, gas stations and liquor stores. Over 50% of schools had at least one liquor store in the assessment area. The mean number of exercising opportunities in the assessment area of each school was 1.19 (se=0.24). 42% of schools did not have streets safe for students to walk. Rural schools had fewer eating and exercising opportunities than suburban and urban schools. Suburban and middle schools had the most opportunities to exercise. This study revealed that there are many eating opportunities for students in the area surrounding schools and few opportunities for exercise.

Learning Objectives: 1) At the end of this session, participants will be able to identify eating and exercise opportunities surrounding Maryland public schools. 2) At the end of this session, participants will be about to describe the geographic differences in eating and exercising opportunities for Maryland public school students.

Keywords: School Health, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA