School Nutrition Environment and Services: Policies and Practices That Promote Healthy Eating among K-12 Students
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| Title: | School Nutrition Environment and Services: Policies and Practices That Promote Healthy Eating among K-12 Students |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Merlo, Caitlin (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of School Health. Sep 2023 93(9):762-777. |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2023 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research Information Analyses |
| Education Level: | Elementary Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Nutrition, Eating Habits, Elementary Secondary Education, Health Promotion, Food Service, Food, Public Policy, Intervention |
| DOI: | 10.1111/josh.13365 |
| ISSN: | 0022-4391 1746-1561 |
| Abstract: | Background: Changes to policies at the federal, state, and local levels over the last decade have influenced the school nutrition environment and services. Methods: This systematic review includes an analysis of individual research articles and government reports published from 2010 to 2021 that examine interventions to improve the school nutrition environment and services and increase the availability, selection, and consumption of healthier foods and beverages in K-12 schools in the United States. Results: Nutrition standards for school meals and food outside of meals improved access to healthier options in school. Providing school nutrition professionals with professional development, improving the palatability of school meals, offering taste tests, pre-slicing fruit, providing recess before lunch, offering incentives for trying healthier options, and providing access to drinking water resulted in increased selection and consumption of healthier items. There were inconclusive or mixed findings for some intervention strategies including adequate seat time for meals. Conclusions: Despite demonstrated improvements to school meal programs and competitive foods, more work is needed to change the selection and consumption of healthier options among K-12 students. Schools can use multiple interventions to improve the school nutrition environment and services and help students adopt food and beverage choices that support health. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2023 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1391373 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Background: Changes to policies at the federal, state, and local levels over the last decade have influenced the school nutrition environment and services. Methods: This systematic review includes an analysis of individual research articles and government reports published from 2010 to 2021 that examine interventions to improve the school nutrition environment and services and increase the availability, selection, and consumption of healthier foods and beverages in K-12 schools in the United States. Results: Nutrition standards for school meals and food outside of meals improved access to healthier options in school. Providing school nutrition professionals with professional development, improving the palatability of school meals, offering taste tests, pre-slicing fruit, providing recess before lunch, offering incentives for trying healthier options, and providing access to drinking water resulted in increased selection and consumption of healthier items. There were inconclusive or mixed findings for some intervention strategies including adequate seat time for meals. Conclusions: Despite demonstrated improvements to school meal programs and competitive foods, more work is needed to change the selection and consumption of healthier options among K-12 students. Schools can use multiple interventions to improve the school nutrition environment and services and help students adopt food and beverage choices that support health. |
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| ISSN: | 0022-4391 1746-1561 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/josh.13365 |
