School Canteen Food Choices in Relation to Nutritional Status Among Lourdes Empinado National High School Students

This descriptive-correlational study examined the association between school canteen food-choice dimensions and the nutritional status of 120 secondary school students. Food-choice dimensions included frequency of purchasing food items, preferences for healthy and unhealthy foods, beverage consumption, and factors influencing food selection. Nutritional status was described using BMI-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-age classifications. Pearson chi-square analysis showed that factors influencing food selection were significantly associated with nutritional status (χ²(66) = 93.867, p = 0.014), whereas purchasing frequency, healthy-food preference, unhealthy-food preference, and beverage consumption were not significantly associated with nutritional-status classification. Multiple regression models showed no significant food-choice coefficient for BMI; healthy-food preference had statistically significant negative coefficients for height (B = -0.033, β = -0.227, p = 0.037) and weight (B = -3.990, β = -0.229, p = 0.036). These coefficients are interpreted as statistical associations within the fitted models and not as evidence of causal effects on physical growth. The findings support school-level actions emphasizing affordable, clean, nutritious, and appealing food choices, age- and grade-responsive nutrition education, and regular nutritional monitoring. A Nutrition Enhancement Program was proposed to strengthen the school food environment.