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Healthy Eating Behaviors in School Students

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutritional Policies and Education for Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2024) | Viewed by 17273

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Alicia Aguilar Martínez

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Guest Editor

1. Food Lab Research Group (2017SGR 83), Faculty of Health Sciences, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain
2. Unesco Chair on Food, Culture and Development, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: food habits; healthy diet; health education; eHealth
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Marina Bosque-Prous

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: alcohol; substance use; public health; epidemiology; social determinants of health; planetary health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Laura Esquius

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Co-Guest Editor

Foodlab Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: nutrition and health; sports nutrition; diet and cancer; clinical nutrition; diet therapy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Healthy eating patterns in childhood and adolescence influence optimal growth and development, helping to reduce the likelihood of chronic diseases in adulthood and indirectly benefiting academic performance. Schools are a suitable environment for the development of programs or interventions aimed at promoting healthy and sustainable eating behaviors in children and adolescents. The school environment can help children and adolescents develop skills and provide them with the social and environmental support that they need to adopt healthy eating behaviors. Multicomponent interventions including experiential, educational, policy, and environmental components, as well as locally adapted and with family involvement, appear to be the most effective. However, more evidence is still needed on the strategies and factors that can contribute to adherence and maintenance of changes regarding healthy food patterns, also including sustainability dimensions.

We invite authors to submit relevant scientific original articles or reviews related, but not limited, to the following topics:

Analysis of the eating patterns of school students;
Social determinants of dietary habits in school students;
Educational strategies to promote healthy eating;
Healthy food school environment;
Nutrition and food interventions and programs;
Digital technologies for promotion of healthy eating habits;
Community and family involvement in school nutrition;
Food sustainability in schools.

Prof. Dr. Alicia Aguilar Martínez
Prof. Dr. Marina Bosque-Prous
Prof. Dr. Laura Esquius
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

children
adolescents
school-based intervention
school environment
healthy eating patterns
food intervention
sustainable diets
health promotion
nutritional education

Published Papers (12 papers)

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15 pages, 443 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Competitive Foods’ Nutritional Quality and Compliance with Smart Snacks Standards: An Analysis of a National Sample of U.S. Middle and High Schools

by Juliana F. W. Cohen, Ashley Kesack, Tara P. Daly, Sara A. Elnakib, Erin Hager, Samuel Hahn, Daniel Hamlin, Alla Hill, Annie Lehmann, Peter Lurie, Meghan Maroney, Jaydn Means, Megan P. Mueller, Deborah A. Olarte, Michele Polacsek, Marlene B. Schwartz, Kendrin R. Sonneville, Lori A. Spruance, Andrea R. Woodward and Leah E. Chapman

Nutrients 2024, 16(2), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16020275 - 17 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1950

Abstract

Snacks and beverages are often sold in addition to meals in U.S. schools (“competitive foods”), but their current nutritional quality and compliance with national Smart Snacks standards are unknown. This study assessed competitive foods in a national sample of 90 middle and high schools. Differences in compliance by school characteristics were measured using mixed methods analysis of variance. Overall, 80% of the schools in the sample sold competitive foods; but they were less commonly available in schools with universal free school meal (UFSM) policies. A total of 840 unique products were documented and, on average, 75% were compliant with Smart Snacks standards. A total of 56% aligned with recommended added sugar limits (<10% of calories); and 340 unique products (40%) aligned with both sugar and Smart Snacks standards. Approximately one-fifth of competitive foods contained synthetic dyes, and 31% of beverages contained artificial sweeteners. Smart Snacks standards compliance was greater when competitive foods were overseen by food service departments, in comparison with others (e.g., principals, student organizations, or outside vendors [77% vs. 59% compliance; p = 0.003]). Therefore, district wellness policies should consider requiring food service departments to oversee competitive foods. Federal and state policies should limit added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and synthetic dyes. This appears to be highly feasible, given the substantial number of products that meet these criteria. UFSM policies should also be considered to support healthier school meal environments more broadly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Eating Behaviors in School Students)

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15 pages, 740 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food and Consumers’ Environment Inside and around Federal Public Schools in Bahia, Brazil

by Fabiana Chagas Oliveira de França, Renata Puppin Zandonadi, Ívenes Ariele da Silva Santana, Izabel Cristina Rodrigues da Silva and Rita de Cassia Coelho de Almeida Akutsu

Nutrients 2024, 16(2), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16020201 - 08 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 736

Abstract

The food environment plays a crucial role in shaping people’s eating habits and, in and around schools, this influence becomes even more critical due to the time students spend daily in these spaces. This study aimed to analyze the food and consumer environments inside and around federal institutes in Bahia, Brazil. Ecological study and audit methodologies were combined, with all the 35 federal institutes in Bahia as the sample universe. To delimit the food environment around the school, the establishments were mapped in a 1000 m buffer, with the school as the centroid. The geographic coordinates of schools and food outlets were initially obtained using Google Maps and later confirmed on-site. The data were collected in WGS 84 and converted to UTM zone 23S SIRGAS 2000. To map the consumer environment, establishments found in a 250 m buffer and also canteens within schools were audited, using the ESAO-r instrument that considers the availability and prices of healthy and unhealthy foods; availability of nutritional information near the point of purchase or on the menu; and presence of internal marketing of healthy and unhealthy foods. The healthy meal–restaurant index (HMRI) was also measured. This index ranges from 0 to 8 points and positively scores items related to healthy consumption and fails to score those related to unhealthy consumption and behavior. The establishments were grouped into four categories (healthy, unhealthy, mixed, and supermarkets). The surrounding area with four or more unhealthy establishments within the 250 m buffer was considered a food swamp. Descriptive analyses were carried out with frequency measurements, measures of central tendency (mean and median), and dispersion (standard deviation). Around the analyzed schools, 732 food establishments were identified, 73.8% (n = 540) formal and 26.2% (n = 192) informal. Considering the characteristics of existing commerce, there was a predominance of snack bars (45%), grocery stores (23%), and bars (7.8%), with a smaller number of supermarkets identified (4.1%). School canteens were found in 20 schools analyzed and only 15% had a variety of healthy foods. When evaluating the availability of healthy foods, a median HMRI of 3 (1–7) was observed. When analyzing this index according to the type of establishment, it was found that fruit and vegetables presented higher values (HMRI = 7; P25–P75: 4–8) compared to large chain supermarkets (HMRI = 5; P25–P75: 2–6; p < 0.001) and local markets (HMRI = 4; P25–P75: 2–5; p < 0.001). From the analysis of the food and consumer environments, it was possible to make inferences about the quality of the food offered to students in these locations, as well as the potential health outcomes arising from this exposure and the need to carry out food education activities and nutritional activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Eating Behaviors in School Students)

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15 pages, 985 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Healthy Eating among Adolescents in Chongqing, China: An Empirical Study Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling

by Ke Jiang, Laixi Zhang, Changxiao Xie, Zhourong Li, Zumin Shi, Manoj Sharma and Yong Zhao

Nutrients 2024, 16(1), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010167 - 04 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1494

Abstract

Healthy eating is crucial for optimal growth, development, and the prevention of chronic diseases in adolescents. Our study aimed to develop a comprehensive structural equation model (SEM) to analyze the relationships between knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP), and healthy eating among adolescents in Chongqing. An online questionnaire was administered to middle school students in 39 districts and counties of Chongqing, China from 2 December to 15 December 2021 to collect sociodemographic and KAP information. SEM models were constructed to examine the relationships between educational environment and healthy eating knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The Monte Carlo test was employed to assess the significance of the mediating effect of relevant variables. The study included 139,832 adolescents aged 14.8 ± 0.7 years, with a 14% rate of overweight and obesity. Health and nutrition knowledge averaged a score of 3.60 ± 1.50 (correct rate: 60%). Participants had positive attitudes (average score: 13.61 ± 2.29) and engaged in healthy eating practices (average score: 12.06 ± 3.08). The results of the SEM revealed a significant influence of the educational environment on adolescents’ knowledge (β = 0.235, p < 0.001) and attitude towards healthy eating (β = 0.143, p < 0.001). Knowledge exhibited positive effects on both attitude (β = 0.225, p < 0.001) and practice (β = 0.054, p < 0.001), while attitude exhibited positive effects on practice behavior (β = 0.565, p < 0.001). The indirect effect of knowledge on practices through attitude was more substantial than the direct effect (ratio 2.361). Our study highlights the mediating role of attitude between healthy eating knowledge and practices. A significant association exists between a favorable educational environment and improved knowledge and positive attitudes toward healthy eating among adolescents. In the future, nutrition and health education should prioritize exploring effective ways to translate knowledge into practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Eating Behaviors in School Students)

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16 pages, 884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Diet Quality and Socioeconomic and Health-Related Factors in Adolescents by Gender

by Ester Colillas-Malet, Marina Bosque-Prous, Laura Esquius, Helena González-Casals, Aina Lafon-Guasch, Paula Fortes-Muñoz, Albert Espelt and Alicia Aguilar-Martínez

Nutrients 2024, 16(1), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010139 - 30 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1590

Abstract

Adolescence is a key period for consolidating heathy lifestyles and proper eating habits that can last into adulthood. To analyze the diet quality of Spanish adolescents and its association with socioeconomic factors and health behaviors by gender, a cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the DESKcohort project, consisting of a biannual panel survey on health, health behaviors, and associated determinants, collected in secondary education centers. The study population consisted of 7319 students aged 12 to 18 years. Data were collected from October 2019 to March 2020. The dependent variable was diet quality score according to the Spanish adaptation of the Healthy Eating Index (S-HEI). The independent variables included were socioeconomic factors and health behaviors. We conducted linear regression separately by gender. Diet quality score was significantly higher for girls than for boys (68 and 65, respectively, p < 0.001). For both genders, poorer diet quality was associated with a low level of physical activity [−0.9 (95% CI = −1.6:−0.2) in boys, −1.2 (95% CI = −1.9:−0.4) in girls], alcohol use [−2.5 (95% CI = −3.7:−1.3) in boys, −1.0 (95% CI = −1.9:0.0) in girls], poor self-perceived health [−1.1 (95% CI = −2.4:0.2) in boys, −3.5 (95% CI = −4.6:−2.4) in girls], and having attended Intermediate Level Training Cycles [−2.9 (95% CI = −4.3:−1.5) in boys, −1.9 (95% CI = −3.5:−0.3) in girls]. In girls, poorer diet quality also was associated with low mood [−1.1 (95% CI = −1.9:−0.3)]. The variance was 9% in boys and 12% in girls. Our results highlight the need to consider socioeconomic and health-related factors, as well as gender, when conducting interventions to promote healthy eating among adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Eating Behaviors in School Students)

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19 pages, 342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving Children’s Lifestyle and Quality of Life through Synchronous Online Education: The Nutritional Adventures School-Based Program

by Dimitrios V. Diamantis, Almog Shalit, Konstantinos Katsas, Evangelia Zioga, Dina Zota, Christina Maria Kastorini, Afroditi Veloudaki, Matina Kouvari and Athena Linos

Nutrients 2023, 15(24), 5124; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15245124 - 16 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1155

Abstract

The early introduction of effective nutritional educational programs is pivotal for instilling sustainable healthy behaviors. The present work aims to present a best practice example of a nutrition and overall lifestyle school-based training program, the Nutritional Adventures (“Diatrofoperipeteies”). Conducted during 2020–2022 in Greek primary schools, this synchronous, online educational initiative included two 1-school-hour activities with a nutrition instructor. Additionally, schools were randomly assigned to supplementary “at-home” supported-by-parents or “in-class” supported-by-educators educational activities. In total, n = 12,451 students of 84 primary schools participated. Parent-completed questionnaires were selected in the recruitment and post-intervention phase (40% participation rate); overall, the working sample was n = 1487 students. In the post-intervention phase, a significant increase in Mediterranean diet adherence was observed (KIDMED score: mean increment = 0.25 units; p < 0.001), particularly fruit and vegetable consumption. Time spent on physical activity increased, while screen time decreased. Students’ total quality of life significantly improved (PedsQL; mean increment = 1.35 units; p < 0.001), including on all of its subscales (physical, emotional, social, and school function). Supplementary educational activities that were supported by educators rather than parents yielded a more favorable impact on students’ lifestyle and quality of life. The Nutritional Adventures program can be regarded as a successful initiative in primary schools, yielding immediate advantages that extend beyond promoting healthy dietary habits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Eating Behaviors in School Students)

15 pages, 512 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of the Food Boost Challenge: A Participatory Action Research Approach to Enhance Vegetable and Fruit Consumption among Adolescents

by Machteld van Lieshout, Wendy Scholtes-Bos, Judith M. van der Horst-Graat, Puck van Holsteijn and Sanne I. de Vries

Nutrients 2023, 15(23), 4921; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234921 - 25 Nov 2023

Viewed by 981

Abstract

Prevention of non-communicable diseases through, among other factors, increasing vegetables and fruit (V&F) intake is a cost-effective strategy for risk reduction but requires behavioral change. Such changes in adolescents benefit from their active involvement. The Food Boost Challenge (FBC) was developed using a participatory action research approach to enhance healthy eating behaviors, namely V&F products among adolescents. The FBC is an innovation process, involving adolescents, (peer) researchers, and food system partners, like non-governmental and commercial organizations. In 2021–2022, 34 partners provided both cash and in-kind contributions to join the FBC community. Phase 1 involved 200 students identifying barriers and drivers for consumption of F&V products among 1000 pre-vocational adolescents, aged 12–20 years. In phase 2, student teams submitted innovative ideas, resulting in 25 concepts fitting into ≥1 of 4 routes: (I) innovative technology for a healthy diet, (II) new food products/concepts for adolescents, (III) hotspots improving the F&V product experience, and (IV) new routes to market. In phase 3, consortia of adolescents, students, and partners were formed to develop 10 selected concepts into prototypes, and phase 4 offered teams a national platform. Results show that the FBC resonates with all stakeholders, generating valuable insights to increase F&V intake. Prototypes in all four routes have been developed. Additionally, other regions in the Netherlands have adopted the FBC approach. Overall, the FBC is an approach that transforms ideas into actionable measures and shows potential to be adapted to promote various healthy eating behaviors among school students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Eating Behaviors in School Students)

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20 pages, 335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Attitudes of 7–9 Year Old Primary School Students towards Food and Nutrition: Insights from Qualitative FGI Research—The Junior-Edu-Żywienie (JEŻ) Project

by Krystyna Gutkowska, Jadwiga Hamułka and Ewa Czarniecka-Skubina

Nutrients 2023, 15(22), 4732; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224732 - 09 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1215

Abstract

Optimal nutrition is one of the most significant environmental factors affecting human health. The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes of primary school students aged 7–9 towards nutrition considering three fundamental components: knowledge, emotional disposition, and dietary behaviors. The research was conducted using the Focus Group Interview (FGI) technique among 78 children. Considering their attitudes towards food and nutrition, four profiles were identified: “engaged”, “obedient”, “reluctant”, and “indifferent”. Children who were “engaged” and “obedient” due to their parents’ involvement in creating their dietary attitudes exhibited the most alignment with the principles of optimal nutrition. Regardless of profile type, it was observed that children were familiar with recommended and unrecommended food products, as well as the role of water in proper nutrition. It was demonstrated that parents wield the most substantial influence on children’s nutrition. As a result, initiatives promoting the proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle should commence with parents. Children of nutritionally conscious parents tend to eat more healthily and demonstrate a high nutritional awareness. Conversely, the children of busy parents who lack time for meal preparation more frequently replicate their parents’ nutritional mistakes. These findings emphasize the importance of the family environment in shaping the dietary behaviors of children and youth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Eating Behaviors in School Students)

11 pages, 1119 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cross-Sectional Association between Perceived Physical Literacy and Mediterranean Dietary Patterns in Adolescents: The EHDLA Study

by Gabriel Domínguez-Martín, Pedro J. Tárraga-López and José Francisco López-Gil

Nutrients 2023, 15(20), 4400; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15204400 - 17 Oct 2023

Viewed by 980

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of the current study was to analyze the relationship between perceived physical literacy (PPL) and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and its specific components in a sample of Spanish adolescents. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we examined a sample of 845 adolescents (58.1% boys) aged 12–17 years from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia, Spain). PPL was assessed by the Spanish Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument for adolescents (S-PPLI). To assess adherence to the MedDiet, the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in children and adolescents (KIDMED) was applied. Results: In unadjusted analyses, adolescents with medium or high PPL were more likely to have optimal adherence to the MedDiet (medium PPL: OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.20–2.40, p-adjusted = 0.003; high PPL: OR = 2.90, 95% CI 2.03–4.17, p-adjusted < 0.001). These findings remained significant after adjusting for sex, age, socioeconomic status, body mass index, energy intake, overall sleep duration, physical activity, and sedentary behavior (medium PPL: OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.05–2.19, p-adjusted = 0.003; high PPL: OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.53–3.39, p-adjusted < 0.001). Conclusions: PPL could play a relevant role in the adoption of healthy eating habits among adolescents. Adolescents with low or medium PPL were less likely to report optimal adherence to the MedDiet. Adolescents with high PPL seem to consume more fruits, vegetables, fish, pulses, nuts, and dairies (for breakfast). Conversely, these adolescents tend to skip breakfast less, as well as to consume less commercially baked goods or pastries at this meal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Eating Behaviors in School Students)

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13 pages, 507 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of School-Based Health-Promoting Activities on Children’s Health: A Pragmatic Real-World Study

by Marla T. H. Hahnraths, Bjorn Winkens and Onno C. P. van Schayck

Nutrients 2023, 15(15), 3349; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153349 - 27 Jul 2023

Viewed by 968

Abstract

More insight into the health effects of scaled-up school-based interventions in real-world settings is vital to sustainably integrate health in all schools. This study investigated the effectiveness of the scaled-up Healthy Primary School of the Future (HPSF) initiative in real-world school contexts on children’s health (behaviours). From 2019 to 2022, eleven Dutch primary schools implemented HPSF-related activities. In 315 children from study years four to six (aged 7–11 years) from these schools, anthropometric measurements were performed, and questionnaires assessing the children’s dietary behaviours and physical activity were administered. COVID-19 greatly limited the implementation of HPSF-related activities. Therefore, the results were compared between schools categorised as medium implementers and schools categorised as low implementers. After correction for baseline, waist circumference in the medium implementer group was significantly higher at one-year follow-up (B = 1.089, p = 0.003) and two-year follow-up (B = 1.665, p < 0.001) compared with waist circumference in the low implementer group. No significant effects were observed for other outcomes. This study showed hardly any effects of the scaled-up HPSF initiative, mainly due to the limited implementation caused by COVID-19. More research investigating the real-world effectiveness of HPSF and comparable programmes is greatly encouraged to advance the field of school-based health promotion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Eating Behaviors in School Students)

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12 pages, 524 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of School-Based Educational Intervention on Promoting Healthy Dietary Habits in Danish Schoolchildren: The FOODcamp Case Study

by Malene Outzen, Anne-Vibeke Thorsen, Aleksandra Davydova, Camilla Thyregod, Tue Christensen, Ida Grønborg, Ellen Trolle, Marianne Sabinsky and Gitte Ravn-Haren

Nutrients 2023, 15(12), 2735; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15122735 - 13 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1276

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the school-based educational intervention “FOODcamp” on dietary habits among 6th–7th graders (aged 11–13 years), focusing on the food groups: fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, discretionary food, and sugar-sweetened beverages. In this cluster-based quasi-experimental controlled intervention study, 16 intervention classes (322 children) and 16 control classes (267 children) from nine schools were recruited during the school year 2019–2020. The children were asked to record their food intake for four consecutive days (Wednesday to Saturday) before (baseline) and after (follow-up) attending FOODcamp, using a validated self-administered web-based dietary record. Eligible dietary intake registrations from 124 and 118 children from the control and interventions classes, respectively, were included in the final statistical analysis. Hierarchical mixed model analysis was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention. No statistically significant effects of participating in FOODcamp were found on the average food intake of the food groups eaten regularly (vegetables, fruit, vegetables/fruit/juice combined, or meat) (p > 0.05). Among the food groups not eaten regularly (fish, discretionary foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages), a non-significant tendency to lower odds of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages from baseline to follow-up (OR = 0.512; 95% CI: 0.261–1.003; p = 0.0510) was seen among FOODcamp participants compared to control participants. In conclusion, this study found no effect of the educational intervention FOODcamp on the dietary intake of vegetables, fruit, vegetable/fruit/juice combined, meat, fish, or sugar-sweetened beverages. The intake frequency of sugar-sweetened beverages tended to decrease among FOODcamp participants. Full article

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Review

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19 pages, 695 KiB

Open AccessReview

Alternative School Breakfast Service Models and Associations with Breakfast Participation, Diet Quality, Body Mass Index, Attendance, Behavior, and Academic Performance: A Systematic Review

by Deborah A. Olarte, Marisa M. Tsai, Leah Chapman, Erin R. Hager and Juliana F. W. Cohen

Nutrients 2023, 15(13), 2951; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132951 - 29 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2035

Abstract

The United States (US) School Breakfast Program provides Breakfast After The Bell (BATB) to alleviate hunger, provide nutrition, and ensure students have a healthy start to the day. This study aims to review the evidence regarding the impact of BATB on students’ diet and academic outcomes, including participation, diet quality and consumption, body mass index (BMI) and weight status, attendance, classroom behavior, and academic performance. The articles were extracted from three electronic databases and published since the start of the literature through December 2022. Studies were peer-reviewed; quantitative research articles or government reports; and conducted in public or private elementary, middle, and high schools. Quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Thirty-seven studies were included in this review. This review found BATB increased school breakfast participation, improved diet quality, and improved classroom behavior particularly among students from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and students eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The impact of BATB on BMI and weight status, academic achievement and attendance was mixed. This review is particularly timely given free school meals and updated school nutrition standards are being prioritized over the next decade in the US. Thus, it is important to evaluate the nutritional and educational outcomes of BATB. (PROSPERO registration: CRD42021289719). Full article

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Other

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9 pages, 272 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

The Role of Teachers in Addressing Childhood Obesity: A School-Based Approach

by Anastasia Snelling, Melissa Hawkins, Robin McClave and Sarah Irvine Belson

Nutrients 2023, 15(18), 3981; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15183981 - 14 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1907

Abstract

Childhood obesity is one of the most prevalent public health challenges in the United States, and although rates are declining overall, rates among children living in underserved neighborhoods are increasing. This five-year intervention project seeks to empower teachers (n = 92) to invest in their own health and then integrate nutrition concepts into core subjects’ lessons in elementary schools. The professional development sessions reflect the concepts in the Whole Child, Whole School, Whole Community model. Results indicate that teachers who attended professional development sessions were more likely to implement nutrition lessons in the classroom (r = 0.54, p < 0.01), and students demonstrated a significant increase in nutrition knowledge (p < 0.001, df = 2, F = 9.66). Investing in school-based programs that ensure teacher well-being and professional development can yield positive benefits for both teachers and students. Full article

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