Implementation of a high intensity lunch intervention in three selected local communities - A case study
Authors
Heerup, Charlotte Terese ; Bødker, Sabina
Term
4. term
Publication year
2015
Submitted on
2015-06-04
Pages
96
Abstract
This case-based master’s thesis examines whether a high-intensity, multicomponent lunch intervention targeting families with school-aged children can promote healthier lunch boxes at school and influence children’s and parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices. In the context of Denmark’s 2014 school reform, which emphasized daily physical activity but placed less focus on meals, the intervention was implemented in three local communities (Egebjerg, Højby, and Asnæs) and included school and supermarket activities and mass media, such as educational sessions, a lunch box workshop, kitchen activities, and a parent event. Outcomes were explored through a knowledge quiz at baseline and endline, photo documentation and focus group interviews with two preschool classes at Højby School, and semi-structured interviews with three parents. Findings indicate that children generally had a reasonable understanding of what a healthy lunch box should include, and the intervention challenged their everyday practices by connecting them to their own notions of a healthy lunch. Parents showed strong engagement and a sense of responsibility, tried new alternatives, and evaluated the initiative as inspiring and useful. Children’s limited food preferences emerged as a key challenge. Overall, the case suggests that a multicomponent lunch intervention can engage families and schools toward healthier lunch boxes, although preferences and entrenched habits remain barriers.
Denne casebaserede masteropgave undersøger, om en højintensiv, multikomponent frokostintervention målrettet familier med skolebørn kan fremme sundere madpakker i skolen og påvirke børns og forældres viden, holdninger og praksis. I lyset af skolereformen i 2014, som prioriterede daglig fysisk aktivitet men ikke skolemåltider, blev interventionen gennemført i tre lokalsamfund (Egebjerg, Højby og Asnæs) og omfattede aktiviteter i skole og lokal supermarked samt brug af massemedier, herunder undervisningsforløb, madpakkeværksted, køkkenaktiviteter og et forældrearrangement. Effekten blev belyst via en vidensquiz før og efter interventionen, fotodokumentation og fokusgruppeinterview med to børnehaveklasser på Højby Skole samt semistrukturerede interviews med tre forældre. Resultaterne viste, at børnene generelt havde en rimelig forståelse af, hvad en sund madpakke bør indeholde, og at interventionen udfordrede deres hverdagens vaner ved at koble dem til deres egne forestillinger om sundhed. Forældrene udviste høj opmærksomhed på at forberede sunde madpakker, følte ansvar for børnenes sundhed, prøvede nye alternativer og vurderede indsatsen som inspirerende og nyttig. Samtidig fremstod børns begrænsede madpræferencer som en væsentlig udfordring. Samlet peger casen på, at en multikomponent frokostindsats kan engagere familier og skole i retning af sundere madpakker, om end præferencer og vaner fortsat udgør barrierer.
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