Organisational Food Environment research stream relates to sources of food available to a defined group of people within particular settings such as homes, canteens in schools, worksites, churches and healthcare facilities.

The density of fast-food outlets around schools is a key concern among the WA community. By conducting a series of natural experiments (i.e., before-and-after studies of different types of food outlets being built directly opposite schools) and investigating food environment experiences of children using active transport, our team will generate robust evidence about the effects of retail development near schools on student’s dietary choices and overall health.

Anticipated Translational Impact

Research evidence from this research stream will be used to inform whether specific legislation changes are needed to enable greater control and management of food outlet development around schools.

Contact: Contact the Food Environments Team at FET@ecu.edu.au

Current projects:

• Impact of new fast-food outlets being built near school on schoolchildren, parents and local residents.
• The Travel Environment and Kids (TREK) Project (PATREK & WA Department of Transport)

Past projects:

• Impact of the food environment near schools on children’s dietary intake
• How healthy or unhealthy is the food environment around Perth Schools?
• A nutritional assessment of the foods available for purchase on university campuses (Masters Project: Johanne Eldridge 2016-17)