Examining the nutritional quality of food and beverage consumed at Melbourne aquatic and recreation centres

Objective: Examine the nutritional quality of food and beverages consumed across a sample of community aquatic and recreation centres in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Methods: Interviewer-administered surveys of randomly selected patrons attending four aquatic and recreation centres were conducted to ascertain food and beverage items consumed over two data collection periods (May-June 2014, January-February 2015). We selected centres in and around metropolitan Melbourne with a sit-down cafeteria and children's swimming classes. We classified items by government nutrient profiling guidelines; green' (best choice), amber' (choose carefully) or red' (limit). Results: A total of 2,326 surveys were conducted (response rate 63%). Thirty-five per cent of surveyed patrons consumed food or beverages while at the centre; 54% of patrons purchased from the cafe and 61% brought items to the centre. More than half the food consumed from the cafe was red', increasing to 92% for children. One in five children visiting the centre consumed a red' item bought from the centre cafe. Conclusions: The nutritional quality of food and beverages consumed at recreation centres was generally poor, with the on-site cafes providing the majority of discretionary items consumed. Implications for public health: Community aquatic and recreation centres provide an opportunity to promote healthy eating by increasing the provision of healthy options and limiting discretionary food and drink items.