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. 2021 Apr;41(4):131-137.
doi: 10.24095/hpcdp.41.4.02.

Children's perceptions of a Centrally Procured School Food Program in southwestern Ontario, Canada

[Article in English, French]
Paige Colley  1 , Linda Miller  1 , Jamie A Seabrook  1   2 , Sarah J Woodruff  3 , Jason Gilliland  1
Affiliations

Children's perceptions of a Centrally Procured School Food Program in southwestern Ontario, Canada

[Article in English, French]
Paige Colley et al. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2021 Apr.

Abstract
in English, French

Introduction: This qualitative study investigates children's perceptions of the influences of a Centrally Procured School Food Program on their dietary behaviours and their recommendations on how to improve the program.

Methods: The observations of 208 students aged 9 to 14 years (Grades 5-8) at 21 elementary schools were collected through focus groups in 2017/18. The larger intervention consisted of a 10-week program offering daily snacks (i.e. fruit, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, meat alternatives) for elementary school children in southwestern Ontario, Canada.

Results: The participants' overall impressions of the program were positive. They noted reduced hunger, increased energy and improved nutrition. Many children felt that the program changed their dietary patterns at home as well as at school, particularly in terms of eating more fruit and vegetables. The snack program also enabled children to try healthy foods.

Conclusion: Most participants considered the program to be beneficial in promoting healthy eating. Participants recommended adding educational activities, expanding the variety of foods and increasing child involvement in selecting and preparing foods.

Introduction: Cette étude qualitative s’intéresse à la perception qu’ont les enfants de l’influence d’un programme d’alimentation scolaire à approvisionnement centralisé sur leurs comportements alimentaires et à leurs recommandations sur la manière d’améliorer le programme.

Méthodologie: Les observations de 208 élèves de 9 à 14 ans (de la 5e à la 8e année) provenant de 21 écoles primaires ont été recueillies au moyen de groupes de discussion en 2017 et 2018. L’intervention la plus importante a consisté en un programme de dix semaines proposant des collations quotidiennes (fruits, légumes, aliments à grains entiers, produits laitiers, substituts de viande) à des élèves d’écoles primaires du Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario (Canada).

Résultats: Dans l’ensemble, les participants ont eu une perception positive du programme. Ils ont constaté un apaisement de leur faim, une augmentation de leur niveau d’énergie et une amélioration de leur alimentation. De nombreux enfants ont estimé que le programme avait modifié leurs habitudes alimentaires à la maison et pas simplement à l’école, car il les avait notamment amenés à accroître leur consommation de fruits et de légumes. De plus, le programme de collations a permis aux enfants d’essayer des aliments sains.

Conclusion: La plupart des participants ont estimé que le programme s’avérait bénéfique pour favoriser une alimentation saine. Les participants ont recommandé d’ajouter des activités éducatives, de diversifier les aliments offerts et d’accroître la participation des enfants à la sélection et à la préparation des aliments.

Keywords: child health; dietary behaviour; elementary school; food program; nutrition.

Plain language summary

A Centrally Procured School Food Program with daily snacks (i.e. fruit, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, meat alternatives) offers a promising way of improving child nutrition. Elementary school children participating in this program in southwestern Ontario, Canada, described eating more fruit and vegetables, being willing to try new foods, improving their eating habits at school and at home, and generally having feelings of health and well-being. Child participants offered useful insights into improving this school food program, such as integrating educational initiatives and providing a greater variety/frequency of healthy foods.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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