Generating effective change in school meals: a case study

Abstract

PurposeObesity among primary school children is an area of current concern throughout the UK, alongside much discussion surrounding the opportunities and challenges of effecting change. School meals may contribute to obesity, tending to be high in fat and sugar and lacking in essential nutrients. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the success of a healthy eating programme and to examine the work that had been done to identify areas where further work was required, where lessons might be learned for future campaigns and areas where further research would be useful.Design/methodology/approachThe current study uses a case study approach to examine food provision and education within a primary school in Edinburgh, which adopts a healthy eating programme based on the guidelines of Hungry for Success. Within the case study, both quantitative and qualitative methods were used, including semistructured interviews, recipe analysis and observational research.FindingsResults indicate some considerable success has been achieved and more ways in which healthy eating can be promoted within the school have been identified. The manner in which change can most effectively be implemented is explored and some indicators for future work highlighted. In addition, results indicate that slow subtle change will be more effective than well intentioned attempts to achieve the ideal in a peremptory manor and that persistence is likely to play a key role.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was carried out in one school where the school meals were prepared on an in‐house basis. Nonetheless, looking at ways in which effective change in children's eating habits and food choices can be achieved on a small scale provides some useful pointers for future research with schools where meals are prepared by contract caterers.Originality/valueThe paper focuses on a healthy eating programme.

Understanding students’ preferences on school mid-day meal menu in India

“…Several researches have highlighted the importance of nutritional standards of school meal programs (Linda et al, 1990;Ruxton et al, 1993Ruxton et al, , 1996Mock et al, 1997;Blades, 2002;Burgess and Bunker, 2002;Seaman and Moss, 2006). Types of nutritional problems among school children vary across developed and developing countries.…”

“…Types of nutritional problems among school children vary across developed and developing countries. Seaman and Moss (2006) analyzed the problem of obesity among PS children as an area of great concern throughout the UK, which may have been caused due to school meals 811 School mid-day meal menu tending to be high in fat and sugar and lacking in essential nutrients. While in developing countries like India, mid-day school meal program provides an opportunity to overcome the problem of micronutrient deficiencies and improvement in nutritional status of children (Rajan and Jayakumar, 1992;Drèze and Goyal, 2003;Khera, 2006;Deodhar et al, 2007).…”

“…The MDMS is a flagship program of the Government of India for enhancing enrollment, retention and attendance and simultaneously improving nutritional levels among children studying at the primary and upper primary government schools across country. MDM program has been one of the supplementary nutrition programs being implemented in a number of countries across the world with the dual objective of nutritional as well as educational security (Mock et al, 1997;Burgess and Bunker, 2002;Seaman and Moss, 2006;Khera, 2006;Deodhar et al, 2007). As per the provisions, the MDMS entitles every child in primary and upper primary levels in all government and government-assisted schools of a clean, nutritious, hot-cooked meal during school days for a minimum of 200 days in a year.…”