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Ismail MR, Gilliland JA, Matthews JI, Beverley J, Battram DS. Children's Perceptions of the Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP) in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. CAN J DIET PRACT RES 2023; 84:171-175. [PMID: 36892257 DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2022-042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to explore children's lived experiences with the Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP), a free, school-based snack program implemented in elementary schools in Southwestern, Ontario, Canada, to gain insights into future school food programs (SFP).Methods: Focus group discussions (n=17) were conducted with 105 children in Grades 5 to 8 in seven elementary schools. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded for themes using inductive content analysis.Results: Overall, children appreciated the OSNP and felt that it filled a need in students. Children also reported a willingness to try novel food items. For future SFPs, participants recommended that input be sought from children to ensure food preferences were considered. Children also discussed wanting more appealing food offerings that may include some choice. Finally, children also mentioned wanting a fair and equitable distribution of food in classrooms.Conclusions: Children appreciated the OSNP and reported benefits to themselves and their peers. They also provided some valuable recommendations for future SFPs. If a nationally funded SFP is to be considered in Canada, children expressed the need to make the program equitable, while still allowing schools the flexibility to meet their unique needs and preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam R Ismail
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jason A Gilliland
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, ON, Canada; School of Health Studies, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, London, ON, Canada
| | - June I Matthews
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer Beverley
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON, Canada
| | - Danielle S Battram
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON, Canada; Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Meshkovska B, Scheller DA, Wendt J, Jilani H, Scheidmeir M, Stratil JM, Lien N. Barriers and facilitators to implementation of direct fruit and vegetables provision interventions in kindergartens and schools: a qualitative systematic review applying the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR). Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2022; 19:11. [PMID: 35101084 PMCID: PMC8805256 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-022-01246-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although children's intake of fruit and vegetables has seen a recent rise, almost half of adolescents do not eat even one piece of fruit or vegetables per day. One way to address this problem is through interventions that provide fruit and vegetables directly to children in kindergartens and schools. For such interventions to meet their intended goals, what is important to consider in addition to impact is implementation. Our objective is to systematically review qualitative results reporting on the determinants (barriers and facilitators) to implementation of interventions that entail direct provision of fruit and vegetables in kindergarten and school settings and conduct a framework analysis of those results using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). METHODS A systematic search was designed and run in November 2019 for: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), PsychINFO (Ovid), ERIC (Ovid), Cochrane Library Reviews and Cochrane Library Trials. A keyword search of the journal Implementation Science was completed. Screening of titles and abstracts (n = 5427) and full texts (n = 227), led to 14 included articles. Coding and analysis were done using the framework method and CFIR. RESULTS The following CFIR constructs were found relevant: 1) intervention characteristics domain: 'design quality and packaging', 'adaptability' 'cost'; 2) outer setting: 'cosmopolitanism', 'external policy and incentives' 'patients' needs and resources'; 3) inner setting: 'implementation climate', 'readiness for implementation' and 'structural characteristics'; 4) characteristics of individuals: 'individual stage of change', 'knowledge and beliefs about the intervention' 5) process: 'engaging', 'executing' and 'reflecting and evaluating'. The review stresses the dual role of parents as both supporting the implementation and targets of the intervention, which could have implications for the design and implementation of future fruit and vegetables interventions. Positive child perceptions of the value of the intervention and perceived behavior change due to the intervention were reported as relevant facilitators to implementation across several studies, and should be taken into consideration in future design efforts. CONCLUSIONS CFIR offers a systematic way to identify and organize barriers and facilitators to implementation of interventions in the kindergarten and school setting. Revisions are encouraged to allow adequate space for perceptions of various implementation actors and the target group. PROSPERO REGISTRATION CRD42020167697.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel A. Scheller
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation, Department of Internal Medicine II, Ulm University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - Janine Wendt
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation, Department of Internal Medicine II, Ulm University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - Hannah Jilani
- Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research - IPP, University of Bremen and Epidemiological Methods and Etiological Research, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Marie Scheidmeir
- Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jan M. Stratil
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology – IBE, Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nanna Lien
- Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - on behalf of the PEN Consortium
- Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation, Department of Internal Medicine II, Ulm University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
- Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research - IPP, University of Bremen and Epidemiological Methods and Etiological Research, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology – IBE, Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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Ismail MR, Seabrook JA, Gilliland JA. Process evaluation of fruit and vegetables distribution interventions in school-based settings: A systematic review. Prev Med Rep 2020; 21:101281. [PMID: 33364152 PMCID: PMC7753971 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Assesses how school fruit & vegetable distribution interventions are implemented. Child fruit & vegetable intake is influenced by how intervention is implemented. Recommendations for implementing fruit & vegetable interventions in schools. Studies should also consider sustainability, cost-effectiveness and implementation.
Despite the importance of process evaluation in program evaluations, research has focused primarily on the effectiveness of fruit and vegetables (FVs) distribution interventions on children’s consumption, with little attention given to how these interventions achieve their outcomes. Five bibliographic databases (Embase, PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection) were searched in June 2019 for studies of interventions where the main focus was the implementation of distributed FVs to school-aged children as a snack. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool was used to appraise the risk of bias within included studies. Data were extracted based on study characteristics and findings. Results identified 24 studies reporting on 11 interventions and 1 policy. The findings of this systematic review indicate that the majority of the studies included limited references to implementation research. Recurring limitations include an absence of an evaluation theoretical framework and the data collection methods used. Also, several factors were identified as informing the success of snack-based FVs distribution programs, including participation of the school community, school characteristics, background knowledge, and parental engagement. Lack of timely FVs delivery, limited funding, inadequate awareness about the program, insufficient teachers’ time, and food waste were identified as challenges to successful programming. Findings indicate that distributing FVs to school-aged children as a snack can increase their consumption, but only with proper implementation. Further evaluative research is required to better inform future implementation of snack-based FV distribution interventions in school settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam R Ismail
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jamie A Seabrook
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, Department of Paediatrics, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jason A Gilliland
- Department of Geography, School of Health Studies, Department of Paediatrics, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
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Schauder S, Thomsen MR, Nayga Jr RM. Agent-based modeling insights into the optimal distribution of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Prev Med Rep 2020; 20:101173. [PMID: 32923315 PMCID: PMC7475199 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Agent-based modeling assists in disseminating FFVP in the most cost-effective manner. Early childhood exposure to fruits and vegetables is more effective in influencing preferences than later exposure. More consistent exposure to a fruit and vegetable intervention is more effective than sporadic exposure. Children living in food deserts may benefit most from FFVP.
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) program provides a free fresh fruit or vegetable snack to children in low-income schools between two and five times a week. This is an important nationwide program, but current funding levels are insufficient to reach all eligible schools. Thus, there is a need to develop insight on contextual factors that may impact the effectiveness of FFVP in facilitating the development of childhood food preferences. An agent-based model of preference formation is used to understand how exposure to FFVP in early elementary school may affect preferences for healthy food by 6th grade. Preferences are modeled using the temporal difference learning algorithm used by Hammond et al. (2012). This model simulates habit formation in the context of food by modeling preference formation in terms of positive or negative feedback about the food most recently consumed. The model is designed to provide insights into how different patterns of exposure to FFVP affect preferences, and how living in a food desert changes the effect of FFVP. We use data on 35,981 students from Arkansas elementary schools (from 2008 to 2016) and information about the commercial food environment in Arkansas communities to populate the model. We find that early FFVP exposure is more beneficial than late exposure conditional on the number of years exposed. We also find that FFVP is more beneficial for children who grow up in environments lacking healthy food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Schauder
- Department of Economics, Cornell University, Uris 429, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
- Corresponding author at: Uris 429, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
| | - Michael R. Thomsen
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Agriculture Building 226, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States
| | - Rodolfo M. Nayga Jr
- Food Policy Economics, Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Agriculture Building 217, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States
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