Examining the Implementation of a Regulatory Food Policy in High Schools: Experiences of Principals and Food Service Administrators

Overweight and obesity affect 20.8% of adolescents in Costa Rica. The school food environment plays an important role in determining what adolescents choose to eat during their day. Regulating food sales in schools has proven effective in some contexts to promote consumption of healthy foods and restrict consumption of unhealthy foods. An executive decree came into effect in Costa Rica in 2012 to regulate the foods and beverages that are sold to students in sodas (competitive food stores within each high school), which requires that sodas offer fruits and vegetables daily and restricts the offer of products and preparations with a high content of sugar, fat, sodium, and energy. The executive decree was made without substantial prior discussion and advocacy with stakeholders, and whether it is proves effective rests with how stakeholders implement it. This study aimed to understand the extent to which the decree is being implemented, the response to the decree in the schools, and the reasons for their response and implementation. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with high school principals and food service administrators of 20 public and private high schools of San José, as well as structured observations. Interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis using an open inductive coding process. Implementation of the decree resulted in a negative reaction due to economic losses and the restriction of availability of foods that are preferred by students. Revenue from sodas is used as complementary income for the school meal program, which places additional stress on high school principals, who are willing to promote healthy choices to students in sodas but also need the profit generated. Interviewees referenced inability to control sales outside of schools, and difficulty in implementing guidelines because of lack of training and not knowing which products do or do not comply. Sodas continue to sell prohibited products, reflecting inadequate implementation of the decree. Policies within the National School Meal Program must change so that sodas are perceived as a service for both students and teachers rather than a supplementary income source for the Meal Program. Additionally, actions must be taken to translate the technical guidelines into practical information, e.g., provide a list of foods and preparations that do or do not comply. Likewise, periodic monitoring of the foods sold by sodas and corresponding corrective measures would enhance implementation. Support or Funding Information Supported by the Vice‐Rectory of Research of the University of Costa Rica, Project #450‐B4‐377: “Hábitos alimentarios de los adolescentes de centros educativos públicos y privados de la provincia de San José, Costa Rica.”