Abstract
Purpose
Currently little is known about what parents think about the different ways that food is provided in schools around the world. There are no systematic reviews synthesising parent/caregiver views on lunchbox and school provided meal service models. To ensure school food systems cater to the needs of families, these perspectives should be understood. This mixed papers systematic review aimed to identify parents/caregivers perspectives on system characteristics of importance within school food provision models internationally.
Methods
A systematic search was performed in May 2022 across three databases, screened by one reviewer. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies were eligible if they reported parent perspectives on the food environment or provision during school hours. Results were collated according to the Bayesian methods to translate quantitative results to qualitative findings and summarised narratively.
Results
Eighteen studies, including eight qualitative, four quantitative and six mixed methods studies were included in the review. Studies were predominantly from Australia (n=5), US (n=3), UK (n=3) and Europe (n=2). Studies described perspectives on lunchbox provision and school meal models. Regardless of the school food provision model, key themes included financial cost, adequate nutrition, meeting child preferences and the influence of peers. These characteristics influenced the model adopted and the food provided by families. Challenges of policy and monitoring, school food environments and food preparation were additionally described by parents as challenges in lunchbox food provision. Further, parents positioned themselves as responsible for ensuring their child is fed well and considered lunchboxes an enabler for monitoring intake. Compromise was also a consistent theme discussed throughout the studies, with parents making compromises between certain aspects according to their family priorities.
Conclusions
While parents have different priorities, cost, nutrition, and enjoyment of food by children are common parent priorities for school food internationally. Challenges were identified throughout the lunchbox literature, demonstrating the difficulties which can be experienced in this model. School food systems should strive to prioritise low cost, quality food options in a positive food environment to facilitate acceptable food provision, while striving to alleviate provision barriers experienced by parents through providing nutritious, affordable meals in all schools.
Currently little is known about what parents think about the different ways that food is provided in schools around the world. There are no systematic reviews synthesising parent/caregiver views on lunchbox and school provided meal service models. To ensure school food systems cater to the needs of families, these perspectives should be understood. This mixed papers systematic review aimed to identify parents/caregivers perspectives on system characteristics of importance within school food provision models internationally.
Methods
A systematic search was performed in May 2022 across three databases, screened by one reviewer. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies were eligible if they reported parent perspectives on the food environment or provision during school hours. Results were collated according to the Bayesian methods to translate quantitative results to qualitative findings and summarised narratively.
Results
Eighteen studies, including eight qualitative, four quantitative and six mixed methods studies were included in the review. Studies were predominantly from Australia (n=5), US (n=3), UK (n=3) and Europe (n=2). Studies described perspectives on lunchbox provision and school meal models. Regardless of the school food provision model, key themes included financial cost, adequate nutrition, meeting child preferences and the influence of peers. These characteristics influenced the model adopted and the food provided by families. Challenges of policy and monitoring, school food environments and food preparation were additionally described by parents as challenges in lunchbox food provision. Further, parents positioned themselves as responsible for ensuring their child is fed well and considered lunchboxes an enabler for monitoring intake. Compromise was also a consistent theme discussed throughout the studies, with parents making compromises between certain aspects according to their family priorities.
Conclusions
While parents have different priorities, cost, nutrition, and enjoyment of food by children are common parent priorities for school food internationally. Challenges were identified throughout the lunchbox literature, demonstrating the difficulties which can be experienced in this model. School food systems should strive to prioritise low cost, quality food options in a positive food environment to facilitate acceptable food provision, while striving to alleviate provision barriers experienced by parents through providing nutritious, affordable meals in all schools.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Abstract book for the ISBNPA 2023 annual meeting |
| Publisher | International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |
| Pages | 373-373 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-1-7324011-5-0 |
| Publication status | Published - 14 Jun 2023 |
| Event | 2023 International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Conference: Advancing behavior change science - Uppsala Konsert & Kongress, Uppsala, Sweden Duration: 14 Jun 2023 → 17 Jun 2023 Conference number: 22nd https://2023.isbnpa.org/ (Conference link) |
Conference
| Conference | 2023 International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Conference |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ISBNPA 2023 |
| Country/Territory | Sweden |
| City | Uppsala |
| Period | 14/06/23 → 17/06/23 |
| Other | The mission of ISBNPA is to “stimulate and promote innovative and impactful research in behavioral nutrition and physical activity to improve human health and well-being worldwide”. The scientific program will consist of keynote sessions from world-leading researchers. Parallel sessions of symposia, short orals and workshops will provide key updates and discussion on recent progress in theory, methods and new findings related to physical activity and nutrition behavior. Scientific poster sessions will also be key times of scientific exchange during coffee breaks and lunchtimes. |
| Internet address |
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Bibliographical note
Poster Session #1, June 15, 2023, 10:50 AM - 12:00 PMSIG - Primary Choice: G. Children and families
Keywords
- School food
- School meals
- Systematic review