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A mixed-method study of parents' views of food and nutrition in Australian primary schools.
- Source :
- Health Education (0965-4283); 2024, Vol. 124 Issue 1/2, p119-136, 18p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Purpose: Schools have long been perceived as an ideal setting to support the healthy eating behaviours of children. The aim of the study was to examine the views of Australian primary school parents regarding school food and nutrition, including education, practices and policy. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey was conducted among 787 parents in March 2021, which included closed and open-ended questions. Findings: The results indicated the inconsistent implementation of policies and/or varying practices among different schools. Parents' views were slightly associated with some demographic and personal measures including their SES levels, education, age, the main language spoken at home and universalism values. Parents viewed healthy food provision through canteens, policies and informing parents, fruit and vegetable breaks and kitchen and garden programs as the main contributors to the promotion of healthy eating. They believed unhealthy options in canteens, school fairs, events and birthdays are the major contributors to the formation of unhealthy eating habits among children at schools. Results revealed the efforts to establish health promoting school food environments in Australian primary schools; however, inconsistencies and discrepancies among schools should be addressed to ensure equity among all children. Practical implications: The findings may provide directions for policymakers and school managers and can inform future reforms and initiatives in Australian primary schools and elsewhere. Originality/value: This is the first study that has examined Australian parents' views of school food policy, practices and environments using a mixed-methods design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- CROSS-sectional method
LANGUAGE & languages
FRUIT
SCALE analysis (Psychology)
NUTRITION policy
PAMPHLETS
ELEMENTARY schools
NATURAL foods
ECOLOGY
PSYCHOLOGY of teachers
SOCIAL justice
CRONBACH'S alpha
RESEARCH funding
QUESTIONNAIRES
EQUALITY
SHOPPING
PARENT attitudes
CHILD nutrition
AGE distribution
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
FOOD service
FOOD
LUNCHEONS
SCHOOL children
SCHOOL administration
HEALTH behavior
RESEARCH methodology
VEGETABLES
COLLEGE teacher attitudes
FOOD habits
PSYCHOLOGY of parents
HEALTH promotion
SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC factors
DATA analysis software
FACTOR analysis
NUTRITION education
VALUES (Ethics)
SOCIAL classes
EDUCATIONAL attainment
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09654283
- Volume :
- 124
- Issue :
- 1/2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Health Education (0965-4283)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 177759598
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1108/HE-03-2023-0032