1
|
Durão S, Wilkinson M, Davids EL, Gerritsen A, Kredo T. Effects of policies or interventions that influence the school food environment on children's health and nonhealth outcomes: a systematic review. Nutr Rev 2024; 82:332-360. [PMID: 37253393 PMCID: PMC10859694 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Globally, 1 in 3 children under 5 years is undernourished or overweight, and 1 in 2 suffers from hidden hunger due to nutrient deficiencies. As children spend a considerable time at school, school-based policies that aim to improve children's dietary intake may help address this double burden of malnutrition. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aimed to assess the effects of implementing policies or interventions that influence the school food environment on children's health and nonhealth outcomes. DATA SOURCES, EXTRACTION, AND ANALYSIS Eleven databases were searched up to April 2020 and the World Health Organization (WHO) released a call for data due in June 2020. Records were screened against the eligibility criteria, and data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment were conducted by 1 reviewer and checked by another. The synthesis was based on effect direction, and certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. CONCLUSIONS Seventy-four studies reporting 10 different comparisons were included. The body of evidence indicates that interventions addressing the school food environment may have modest beneficial effects on certain key outcomes. Nutrition standards for healthy foods and beverages at schools, interventions that change how food is presented and positioned, and fruit and vegetable provision may have a beneficial effect on the consumption of healthy foods and beverages. Regarding effects on the consumption of discretionary foods and beverages, nutrition standards may have beneficial effects. Nutrition standards for foods and beverages, changes to portion size served, and the implementation of multiple nudging strategies may have beneficial effects on energy intake. Regarding effects of purchasing or selecting healthier foods, changes to how food is presented and positioned may be beneficial. This review was commissioned and supported by the WHO (registration 2020/1001698-0). WHO reviewed and approved the protocol for the systematic review and reviewed the initial report of the completed systematic review. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration no: CRD42020186265.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Solange Durão
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Maryke Wilkinson
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Better Health Programme South Africa, Mott MacDonald, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Eugene L Davids
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Annette Gerritsen
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tamara Kredo
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine and Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cosentino F, Verma S, Ambery P, Treppendahl MB, van Eickels M, Anker SD, Cecchini M, Fioretto P, Groop PH, Hess D, Khunti K, Lam CSP, Richard-Lordereau I, Lund LH, McGreavy P, Newsome PN, Sattar N, Solomon S, Weidinger F, Zannad F, Zeiher A. Cardiometabolic risk management: insights from a European Society of Cardiology Cardiovascular Round Table. Eur Heart J 2023; 44:4141-4156. [PMID: 37448181 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic comorbidities are common in patients with cardiorenal disease; they can cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), speed progression, and adversely affect prognosis. Common comorbidities are Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity/overweight, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and chronic liver disease. The cardiovascular system, kidneys, and liver are linked to many of the same risk factors (e.g. dyslipidaemia, hypertension, tobacco use, diabetes, and central/truncal obesity), and shared metabolic and functional abnormalities lead to damage throughout these organs via overlapping pathophysiological pathways. The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the management of cardiometabolic diseases. Obesity, T2DM, CKD, and liver disease are associated with increased risk of poor outcomes of COVID-19 infection, and conversely, COVID-19 can lead to worsening of pre-existing ASCVD. The high rates of these comorbidities highlight the need to improve recognition and treatment of ASCVD in patients with obesity, insulin resistance or T2DM, chronic liver diseases, and CKD and equally, to improve recognition and treatment of these diseases in patients with ASCVD. Strategies to prevent and manage cardiometabolic diseases include lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and surgery. There is a need for more programmes at the societal level to encourage a healthy diet and physical activity. Many pharmacotherapies offer mechanism-based approaches that can target multiple pathophysiological pathways across diseases. These include sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and combined glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide/glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. Non-surgical and surgical weight loss strategies can improve cardiometabolic disorders in individuals living with obesity. New biomarkers under investigation may help in the early identification of individuals at risk and reveal new treatment targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Cosentino
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Subodh Verma
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, St Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Philip Ambery
- Late-stage Development, CVRM, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | | | - Stefan D Anker
- Department of Cardiology (CVK), Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), and German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Berlin, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michele Cecchini
- Health Division, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris, France
| | - Paola Fioretto
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Per-Henrik Groop
- Department of Nephrology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Diabetes, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David Hess
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Division of Vascular Surgery, St Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kamlesh Khunti
- Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Carolyn S P Lam
- National Heart Centre Singapore, Duke-National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Lars H Lund
- Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Philip N Newsome
- National Institute for Health Research, Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Liver & Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Naveed Sattar
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Scott Solomon
- Harvard Medical School, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Franz Weidinger
- 2nd Medical Department with Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Klinik Landstrasse, Vienna, Austria
| | - Faiez Zannad
- Université de Lorraine, Inserm Clinical Investigation Center at Institut Lorrain du Coeur et des Vaisseaux, University Hospital of Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Andreas Zeiher
- Cardio Pulmonary Institute, Goethe University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Richardsen HK, Bere ET, Stea TH, Klepp KI, Engeset D. Effect of Ending the Nationwide Free School Fruit Scheme on the Intake of Fruits, Vegetables, and Unhealthy Snacks in Norwegian School Children Aged 10-12 Years. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2489. [PMID: 36767855 PMCID: PMC9915852 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The Norwegian authorities started a nationwide free school fruit program in 2007, implemented in all secondary schools (grades 8-10) and combined schools (grades 1-10) in Norway. The program ended in 2014. This study evaluates the effect of ending the nationwide free school fruit program on the consumption of fruit, vegetables, and unhealthy snacks among Norwegian sixth and seventh graders. The study sample consists of pupils at 18 schools that participated in all data collections in the Fruits and Vegetables Make the Marks project (FVMM), initiated in 2001, with new data collections in 2008 and 2018. Four of the schools were combined schools, therefore children in sixth and seventh grade at these schools received free fruit in 2008 (intervention schools), and fourteen schools did not (control schools). Between 2008 and 2018, pupils at the intervention schools ate a lower proportion of fruits and vegetables per school week, and the consumption of unhealthy snacks increased compared to the control schools. Completion of the free fruit program was not significantly different for boys and girls, or low and high parental education. The results indicate that the end of the free school fruit program resulted in less healthy eating habits among children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elling Tufte Bere
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, 4630 Kristiansand, Norway
- Department of Health and Inequality, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Tonje Holte Stea
- Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, University of Agder, 4630 Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Knut-Inge Klepp
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0315 Oslo, Norway
| | - Dagrun Engeset
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, University of Agder, 4630 Kristiansand, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zolfaghari M, Meshkovska B, Banik A, Kamphuis CBM, Kopainsky B, Luszczynska A, Murrin C, Lien N. Applying a systems perspective to understand the mechanisms of the European School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. Eur J Public Health 2022; 32:iv107-iv113. [PMID: 36444113 PMCID: PMC9706111 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For the past two decades, the percentage of European children who consume fruit daily has remained at around 40%, despite numerous school-based policy efforts and interventions. This study aimed to apply a systems approach to provide an integrated perspective of the mechanisms of the European School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (the Scheme) to understand better how to increase its long-term impact on children's fruit and vegetable consumption. METHODS We developed a causal loop diagram by synthesizing peer-reviewed articles and national government documents related to the Scheme, following the conceptualization steps of system dynamics. The initial causal loop diagrams were then validated in three stages by consulting with experts (two individuals and a group) in school-based fruit and vegetable programmes, children's fruit and vegetable consumption and the Scheme, using disconfirmatory interview guidelines. RESULTS The findings suggest that a central self-reinforcing mechanism through which children socialize during fruit and vegetable consumption is critical in the habituation process. Additionally, the initial increase in children's fruit and vegetable consumption following the Scheme implementation is due to growth in three self-reinforcing loops related to motivation and capability mechanisms; however, this trend gradually slows and stops due to four balancing feedback loops with alternative goals related to opportunity mechanisms that reach their limits. CONCLUSIONS The scheme's design should incorporate activities that align the objectives of the implementers and recipients of the Scheme at all levels. This alignment should provide children with ongoing opportunities to consume fruits and vegetables and strengthen the motivation and capability mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahshid Zolfaghari
- Correspondence: Mahshid Zolfaghari, Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1046 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway, Tel: +47 45 91 70 38, e-mail:
| | | | - Anna Banik
- Wroclaw Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Carlijn B M Kamphuis
- Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Birgit Kopainsky
- Department of Geography, System Dynamics Group, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Aleksandra Luszczynska
- Wroclaw Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Celine Murrin
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sport Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nanna Lien
- Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Comino I, Soares P, Martínez-Milán MA, Caballero P, Davó-Blanes MC. School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme: Characteristics of Its Implementation in the European Union from 2009/10 to 2016/17. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14153069. [PMID: 35893920 PMCID: PMC9370373 DOI: 10.3390/nu14153069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The “School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme” (SFVS) was proposed in 2009/10 as a strategy to support the consumption of Fruit and Vegetables (FV), decrease rates of obesity, improve agricultural income, stabilize markets, and ensure the current and future supply of these foods. However, there is little information about how it was carried out in the EU. Given the potential of the SFVS to support healthier, more sustainable food systems, the objective of this study was to identify the characteristics of SFVS implementation from 2009/10 to 2016/17 in the EU. A longitudinal, observational, and retrospective study was carried out based on secondary data. A total of 186 annual reports of the Member States (MS) participating in the SFVS from 2009/10 to 2016/17 were consulted: European and national budget, funds used from the EU, participating schools and students, duration of the SFVS, FV offered, and application of sustainability criteria, expenditure per student, days of the week, the quantity of FV offered per student and other indicators were calculated. The majority of MS participated in the SFVS during the study period with a heterogeneous implementation pattern in terms of funds used, coverage, duration, quantity (totals and by portion), and cost of FV distributed per student. The sustainability criteria for the FV distribution were also not applied uniformly in all the MS. Establishing minimum recommendations for SFVS implementation are recommended to maximize the benefits of the SFVS. The results may be useful for planning new strategies to help address and improve current health and environmental problems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iris Comino
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain; (I.C.); (P.S.); (M.A.M.-M.); (M.C.D.-B.)
- Public Health Research Group, Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Panmela Soares
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain; (I.C.); (P.S.); (M.A.M.-M.); (M.C.D.-B.)
- Public Health Research Group, Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - María Asunción Martínez-Milán
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain; (I.C.); (P.S.); (M.A.M.-M.); (M.C.D.-B.)
| | - Pablo Caballero
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain; (I.C.); (P.S.); (M.A.M.-M.); (M.C.D.-B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - María Carmen Davó-Blanes
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain; (I.C.); (P.S.); (M.A.M.-M.); (M.C.D.-B.)
- Public Health Research Group, Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wolnicka K, Taraszewska AM, Jaczewska-Schuetz J. Can the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme Be an Effective Strategy Leading to Positive Changes in Children's Eating Behaviours? Polish Evaluation Results. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182312331. [PMID: 34886055 PMCID: PMC8656739 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (SFVS) was developed to form the habit of eating fruit and vegetables (F&V) among children. The survey aimed to identify both the strengths of the scheme and areas that required support and strengthening in the further implementation of school schemes. Methods: The study was conducted from 2012 to 2015 among students of randomly selected 85 primary schools that participated in the programme (intervention group) or did not participate therein (control group). The F&V consumption among the students was evaluated based on the 3 day food record method. Other behaviours were evaluated via frequency and preference questionnaires. Results: Over the three years of implementing SFVS, fruit consumption significantly increased by approximately 30 g/day, i.e., by 18%. In the control group, it increased only by approximately 4%. At the same time, no increase in vegetable consumption was observed. A number of other positive effects of SFVS were also found. These concerned students’ nutritional attitudes and behaviours, such as a further increase in the children’s knowledge on the health aspects of F&V consumption, the levels of their consumption and an increased preference for fruit in general. Conclusions: The results indicate that providing F&V in schools free of charge can be an effective strategy for enhancing F&V consumption among children, in particular by raising the awareness of the health importance of F&V consumption and gradually influencing children’s eating habits, especially when it comes to the habit of fruit consumption. The issue of vegetable consumption is an area for intervention enhancement. There is also a need for further, in-depth analyses, taking into account the impact of potential confounding factors.
Collapse
|
7
|
Ismail MR, Seabrook JA, Gilliland JA. Outcome evaluation of fruits and vegetables distribution interventions in schools: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24:4693-4705. [PMID: 33866997 PMCID: PMC10195380 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980021001683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fruits and vegetables (FV) distribution interventions have been implemented as a public health strategy to increase children's intake of FV at school settings. The purpose of this review was to examine whether snack-based FV distribution interventions can improve school-aged children's consumption of FV. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis of articles published in English, in a peer-reviewed journals, were identified by searching six databases up to August 2020. Standardised mean differences (SMD) and 95 % CI were calculated using a random effects model. Heterogeneity was quantified using I2 statistics. SETTING Population-based studies of interventions where the main focus was the effectiveness of distributed FV as snacks to schoolchildren in North America, Europe and Pacific were included. RESULTS Forty-seven studies, reporting on fifteen different interventions, were identified; ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. All interventions were effective in increasing children's consumption of FV, with only one intervention demonstrating a null effect. Pooled results under all classifications showed effectiveness in improving children's consumption of FV, particularly for multi-component interventions at post-intervention (SMD 0·20, 95 % CI 0·13, 0·27) and free distribution interventions at follow-up (SMD 0·19, 95 % CI 0·12, 0·27). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that FV distribution interventions provide a promising avenue by which children's consumption can be improved. Nonetheless, our results are based on a limited number of studies, and further studies should be performed to confirm these results. More consistent measurement protocols in terms of rigorous study methodologies, intervention duration and follow-up evaluation are needed to improve comparability across studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariam R Ismail
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jamie A Seabrook
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College; Department of Pediatrics, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University; Children’s Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jason A Gilliland
- Department of Geography & Environment, School of Health Studies, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University; Children’s Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ONN6A 3K7, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Illøkken KE, Johannessen B, Barker ME, Hardy-Johnson P, Øverby NC, Vik FN. Free school meals as an opportunity to target social equality, healthy eating, and school functioning: experiences from students and teachers in Norway. Food Nutr Res 2021; 65:7702. [PMID: 34349612 PMCID: PMC8287658 DOI: 10.29219/fnr.v65.7702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There are no national arrangements for free school meals provision in Norway despite this being an important opportunity to improve children’s and adolescents’ nutritional status and ultimately their physical and cognitive development. During a one academic year (2014–2015), a group of Norwegian sixth graders were served a free healthy school meal in a project called ‘The School Meal Project’. Objective To explore students’ and teachers’ experiences of receiving free school meals after the free school meal in 2015 and 5 years later. Design In-depth, semi-structured interviews with separate groups in 2015 and in 2020 were conducted face to face or via telephone or digital platforms. The findings are based on 13 students (aged 12–16) and 5 teacher interviews. Findings Thematic analysis identified four main themes that describe the perceived benefits of receiving free school meals: 1) the meal as a social event where students made new friends and learned new skills; 2) as an aid to forming healthy eating habits; and as an opportunity to 3) improve school functioning and 4) increase social equality among students. Discussion Our analysis suggests that the free school meal may influence healthy behaviors not only at the individual level but also at the social-, physical-, and macro-levels. Methodological limitations, including self-selection bias, should be considered when interpreting our findings. Conclusion This study provides unique insights into the social benefits for students of receiving free school meals. Our findings illustrate the potential of free school meals: eating healthy foods, sharing a meal together, and interaction between students and teachers at mealtime, to promote health, learning, and equality. In order to maximize these benefits through national implementation of free school meals, more understanding is needed of possible facilitators and barriers related to the provision and uptake of free school meals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristine E Illøkken
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Berit Johannessen
- Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Mary E Barker
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway.,Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Southampton Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Polly Hardy-Johnson
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Nina Cecilie Øverby
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Frøydis Nordgård Vik
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| |
Collapse
|