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High School Students' Recommendations to Improve School Food Environments: Insights From a Critical Stakeholder Group.
- Source :
- Journal of School Health; Nov2017, Vol. 87 Issue 11, p842-849, 8p
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- ABSTRACT BACKGROUND The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 ( HHFKA) directed the US Department of Agriculture ( USDA) to revise school meal standards. Students are most affected by efforts to improve the school food environment; yet, few studies directly include students. This study examined high school students' experiences of school meal reform to gain insight into implementation recommendations. METHODS We conducted 5 focus groups with high school students (N = 15) from high schools across 9 states. We also conducted follow-up interviews to further explore personal experiences. Focus groups and interview transcripts were coded and organized in Atlas.ti v7 by analysts, following principles of constant comparative analysis. RESULTS Students reported overall positive perceptions of the revised school meal standards and supported continued efforts to improve the food environment. Recommendations to improve the food environment included engaging students, focusing on the quality and palatability of meal items, moving toward scratch-cooking, and addressing cafeteria infrastructure. CONCLUSIONS Students' recommendations point to opportunities where school districts, as well as local, state, and federal organizations can work to improve the school food environment. Their insights are directly relevant to USDA's recently released Local School Wellness Policy final rule, of which school meal standards are one provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- CHILD nutrition
DIET
EXPERIENCE
FOCUS groups
FOOD service
HIGH school students
INTERVIEWING
RESEARCH methodology
HEALTH policy
NUTRITION
QUALITY assurance
RESEARCH funding
SCHOOLS
STUDENTS
ADOLESCENT nutrition
QUALITATIVE research
DATA analysis
THEMATIC analysis
PRE-tests & post-tests
DATA analysis software
MEDICAL coding
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00224391
- Volume :
- 87
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of School Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 125592062
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12562