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First Nations students’ perceptions of school nutrition policy implementation: A mixed methods study
Author(s) -
Gillies Christina,
Farmer Anna,
Maximova Katerina,
Willows Noreen D.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.479
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1747-0080
pISSN - 1446-6368
DOI - 10.1111/1747-0080.12499
Subject(s) - perception , food choice , medical education , psychology , healthy food , healthy eating , medicine , indigenous , physical activity , food science , ecology , pathology , neuroscience , physical medicine and rehabilitation , biology , chemistry
Aim School nutrition policies can improve healthy food access for Indigenous First Nations children in Canada. This study explored First Nations students’ perceptions of a school nutrition policy. Methods The research was a process evaluation of school nutrition policy implementation using a mixed‐methods design. Students in grades 4–12 (n = 94) completed a 17‐question survey to capture their perceptions of the policy. Survey data informed an 11‐question semi‐structured interview guide. Transcripts from interviews with students (n = 20) were analysed using content analysis to identify barriers and facilitators to policy implementation. Results Key facilitating factors to policy implementation were student support for the policy and taste preferences. Most students (87%) agreed that only healthy foods should be served at school and, in interviews, expressed a preference for healthy food choices. Barriers to policy implementation included foods available at school and lack of communication between students and their teachers and parents. Half (50%) of surveyed students reported that their eating habits at school were average; interviews explained that their diets could be improved by consuming more fruit and vegetables at school. Both surveys and interviews found that communication between students and their parents and teachers about what they ate and drank at school was low. Conclusions To support children’s healthy eating at school, the school nutrition policy could provide clear guidelines on foods permissible in the school, while considering social and environmental barriers to healthy eating. The involvement of First Nations children in the implementation and evaluation of school nutrition policies is recommended.