Implementation of school meal programmes and promotion of healthy eating habits among pupils - A case study
Authors
Tingstedt, Natasja Karina ; Granlund, Sarah
Term
4. term
Publication year
2014
Submitted on
2014-07-03
Pages
219
Abstract
This case study examines how a school meal program can support healthier eating habits among pupils, focusing on the implementation of a new program with an external supplier at Paradisbakkeskolen on Bornholm. Motivated by the rising burden of non-communicable diseases and obesity and the role of schools in shaping children’s diets, the study explores both implementation processes and health promotion potential. Seven qualitative, semi-structured interviews with the supplier, school management and staff, a municipal health consultant, and an expert were conducted and analyzed using Situational Analysis and Mapping, complemented by a small parent survey. Findings highlight low uptake, financial constraints, and inadequate facilities (e.g., no production kitchen or canteen) as key challenges, alongside short lunch breaks, pupils needing to collect meals themselves, and limited communication and collaboration between the school and supplier. The program operated mainly as a food service without curricular integration, reducing pupil involvement and ownership. Opportunities included engaging pupils in meal preparation, creating supportive dining environments, staggering lunch breaks, introducing initiatives such as a food patrol, allowing older pupils to eat at the sports club café, discount schemes, fostering social meal experiences, targeted promotion, and a clearer, more collaborative partnership. Parents and pupils appeared generally satisfied. New school legislation may enable integrating food and health into teaching and activities, and a longer school day could create time for this; however, the absence of explicit requirements risks deprioritization. Overall, finances and facilities were the predominant barriers, while stronger collaboration, pupil involvement, improved dining conditions, and strategic use of the new legislation could help promote healthier eating among pupils.
Denne casestudie undersøger, hvordan en skolemadordning kan understøtte sunde madvaner blandt elever, med udgangspunkt i implementeringen af en ny ordning med ekstern leverandør på Paradisbakkeskolen på Bornholm. Baggrunden er den voksende byrde af ikke-smitsomme sygdomme og overvægt, og at skoler er et centralt sted at påvirke børns kostvaner. Studiet kombinerer syv kvalitative, semistrukturerede interviews med leverandør, skoleledelse og -personale, en kommunal sundhedskonsulent og en ekspert samt et mindre spørgeskema blandt forældre; interviewdata blev analyseret med Situational Analysis og Mapping. Resultaterne peger på lav tilslutning, økonomi og utilstrækkelige fysiske rammer (bl.a. manglende produktionskøkken og kantine) som hovedudfordringer; yderligere barrierer var korte frokostpauser, at elever selv skulle hente maden, og begrænset kommunikation og samarbejde mellem skole og leverandør. Ordningen fungerede primært som en foodservice uden undervisningsmæssig kobling, hvilket mindskede elevinddragelse og ejerskab. Muligheder omfattede elevmedvirken i madproduktion, etablering af gode spiseomgivelser, forskudte frokostpauser, tiltag som madpatrulje, mulighed for at større elever kunne spise i sportsforeningens café, rabatsystemer, mere fællesskab omkring måltidet, målrettet promovering samt en styrket dialog og afklaring af forventninger i partnerskabet. Forældre og elever virkede overordnet tilfredse. Den nye skolereform rummer potentiale for at integrere sundhed og mad i undervisning og aktiviteter, og en længere skoledag kan skabe tid til dette; samtidig kan fraværet af eksplicitte krav betyde, at området nedprioriteres. Samlet set var økonomi og faciliteter de mest fremtrædende barrierer, mens stærkere samarbejde, elevinddragelse, bedre spisemiljøer og en strategisk udnyttelse af den nye lovgivning kan fremme sundere madvaner blandt eleverne.
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