Go Slow Whoa Meal Patterns: Cafeteria Staff and Teacher Perceptions of Effectiveness in Winning With Wellness Schools

Abstract

Successful implementation of school-based nutrition programs requires supportive policies, administrators, and teachers. CS should be included in program implementation efforts and the role of school nutrition services should be maximized.

The Influence of Organizational Culture on School‐Based Obesity Prevention Interventions: A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Limited financial and material resources were another major barriers to the delivery of obesity prevention interventions. Limited food budgets and concerns about wasting funds on healthier food items that may not be consumed by children sometimes discouraged school staff from purchasing and/or promoting healthier food items . Additionally, missing, limited, broken, or worn‐out physical activity equipment may result in less opportunities for students to engage in physical activity .…”

“…The additional time burden to prepare lesson plans, prepare meals/snacks in the classroom, and implement intervention or program guidelines was considered a barrier to the implementation and sustainability of school‐based obesity prevention interventions . Schools that experienced significant staff turnover or were understaffed reported increased workload among teachers, decreased implementation of school‐based obesity prevention interventions, and eventual discontinuation of obesity prevention programs in some cases .…”

“…Although additional responsibilities for classroom teachers was a barrier for implementation and sustainability for some schools, one study found that physical education teachers may be receptive to taking on additional responsibilities related to their job role to reduce the burden on classroom teachers . In addition to support from school leadership, the inclusion of all staff in obesity prevention efforts, especially food service managers and cafeteria staff, may increase staff morale, promote increased buy‐in, and support implementation efforts …”

“…Integrating school‐based obesity prevention interventions into existing curriculum promotes adoption, implementation and sustainability . School leaders who fail to endorse school‐based obesity prevention interventions with supportive school policies or fail to enforce existing policies at the school level can create an environment where students and teachers convey and receive mixed messages regarding organizational values in relation to obesity prevention . Teachers may find it futile to provide instruction on healthy eating topics when practices such as using food as a reward, the sale of competitive food items, and bake sales are allowed to continue in the school setting .…”

“…Although this review provides additional insight into school‐level factors that may promote a supportive culture for health promotion in schools, this review also identifies additional research needs. Two articles concluded that “school climate” did not have a significant impact on the adoption, implementation, and sustainability of elements delivered in physical education and food service; however, other articles suggest programs were more likely to be successful if collaboration and shared decision‐making occurred between food service staff and teachers . The findings related to principal and staff openness identify even more opportunities for research .…”