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Nutrients
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School-Based Eating Interventions—Are Students Eating Healthily?
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School-Based Eating Interventions—Are Students Eating Healthily?

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition Methodology & Assessment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 December 2023) | Viewed by 9768

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elinor Fondell

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Health Sciences Department, Worcester State University, Worcester, MA 01602, USA
Interests: nutritional epidemiology; interdisciplinary research; infectious disease epidemiology; neuroepidemiology; psychoneuroimmunology
Dr. Mariana C. Calle

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Health Sciences Department, Worcester State University, Worcester, MA 01602, USA
Interests: dietary patterns; obesity; inflammatory markers; metabolic syndrome; type 2 diabetes; plant-based diets

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

School nutrition is an important key modifier in terms of child and adolescent nutrient intake. A poor diet early in life can lead to a multitude of immediate and long-term health problems. Changes to dietary information given in the school setting as well as changes to the food programs offered have the potential to promote adherence to a healthy diet, which can lead to lifelong health benefits.

We welcome the submission of school-based studies that include all ages of school children and adolescents, students with special needs and studies in different countries and cultures. Study outcomes can include changes in knowledge and attitudes towards healthy food, changes in actual food intake and changes in biological and biochemical measurements. Studies that focus on overall health, not only weight, but even those that aim to actively curb and prevent eating disorders and weight-related bullying, are also welcome. Additional outcomes can include academic performance, self-rated health, sleep quality and mental health. Authors are also encouraged to submit studies that actively include families and communities and that aim to improve healthy eating habits beyond the school setting. Literature reviews are also welcome.

Dr. Elinor Fondell
Dr. Mariana C. Calle
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • food and nutrition
  • diet
  • children
  • adolescent
  • school-based
  • dietary patterns
  • eating intervention

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 833 KiB  
Article
Three-Year School-Based Multicomponent Intervention May Change Fruit and Vegetable Preferences in Primary School Children—A Quasi-Randomized Trial
by Ana Ilić, Ivana Rumbak, Ružica Brečić, Irena Colić Barić and Martina Bituh
Nutrients 2023, 15(16), 3505; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15163505 - 08 Aug 2023
Viewed by 930
Abstract
Preference could be the trigger for fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption in children and could be modified by appropriate intervention to increase the acceptance of FVs. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the three-year school-based multicomponent intervention [...] Read more.
Preference could be the trigger for fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption in children and could be modified by appropriate intervention to increase the acceptance of FVs. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the three-year school-based multicomponent intervention “Nutri-školica” on the FV preferences of primary school children. It also aimed to explore whether a positive change in FV preferences could lead to an increase in actual FV consumption. The study was conducted in 14 primary schools from the city of Zagreb on 193 children (52.3% boys; age, 7.7 ± 0.4 years; n = 85 in the control group and n = 108 in the intervention group) who completed a preference questionnaire before and after the intervention with a 5-point hedonic smiley-face scale, where 5 means “I like it a lot.” The per-protocol approach was used for data analysis (28.3% of children from the study sample). After the intervention, children in the intervention group (before: 3.1 ± 0.8; after: 3.5 ± 0.8) increased their FV preferences significantly more than children in the control group (before: 3.2 ± 0.8; after: 3.3 ± 0.7). Children’s FV preferences changed most toward the varieties for which they had the least preferences at the beginning of the study. Participation in the intervention had a stronger effect on changing FV intake than change in FV preferences among primary school children. In summary, the present study highlighted that a targeted intervention can increase children’s FV preferences, but that participation in the intervention is substantial for increasing FV intake. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue School-Based Eating Interventions—Are Students Eating Healthily?)
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14 pages, 291 KiB  
Article
Use of Caffeine-Containing Energy Drinks by Japanese Middle School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study of Related Factors
by Satoko Yamasaki, Hiromi Kawasaki and Zhengai Cui
Nutrients 2023, 15(5), 1275; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15051275 - 03 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2155
Abstract
Excessive consumption of caffeine negatively affects individuals’ health. Therefore, we studied the use of energy drinks and the conditions associated with it among Japanese secondary school students. Participants were 236 students in grades 7–9 who completed anonymous questionnaires at home in July 2018. [...] Read more.
Excessive consumption of caffeine negatively affects individuals’ health. Therefore, we studied the use of energy drinks and the conditions associated with it among Japanese secondary school students. Participants were 236 students in grades 7–9 who completed anonymous questionnaires at home in July 2018. We measured the basic attributes and dietary, sleeping, and exercise habits. We used Chi-squared tests to compare differences between users and non-users of energy drinks. Logistic regression analyses were used to elucidate the complex association between the variables. The results showed that boys were more willing to consume energy drinks than girls. The reasons were ‘feeling fatigued’, ‘needing to stay awake’, ‘for curiosity’, and ‘to quench one’s thirst’. Among boys, the following were associated with the use of EDs. Buying their own snacks , not understanding nutritional labels on foods, high caffeinated beverage intake, late bed-times on weekdays, always waking up at about the same time, and weight. Health guidance is needed to prevent overconsumption and dependence on energy drinks. The cooperation of parents and teachers is needed to achieve these goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue School-Based Eating Interventions—Are Students Eating Healthily?)
16 pages, 1472 KiB  
Article
The Effects of a Multi-Component School-Based Nutrition Education Intervention on Children’s Determinants of Fruit and Vegetable Intake
by Marla T. H. Hahnraths, Jorieke P. M. Jansen, Bjorn Winkens and Onno C. P. van Schayck
Nutrients 2022, 14(20), 4259; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14204259 - 12 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1888
Abstract
Evidence suggests that multi-component school-based health-promoting interventions have great potential to improve children’s fruit and vegetable intake. However, interventions that combine classroom-based curricula with experiential learning strategies (e.g., cooking) are relatively seldom described. This study investigates the short-term and longer-term effects of a [...] Read more.
Evidence suggests that multi-component school-based health-promoting interventions have great potential to improve children’s fruit and vegetable intake. However, interventions that combine classroom-based curricula with experiential learning strategies (e.g., cooking) are relatively seldom described. This study investigates the short-term and longer-term effects of a multi-component school-based nutrition education intervention combining classroom-based and experiential learning strategies on children’s determinants of their fruit and vegetable intake (knowledge, taste preferences, attitudes, and intention). Using a comparative quasi-experimental study design, data were collected, via child-reported questionnaires, at the baseline, directly after the intervention, and three months after the intervention from 4 control and 15 intervention classes from Dutch primary schools. A total of 192 children in grades three and four (aged 8–10 years) constituted the participants. After correction for the baseline, sex, age, and the fruit or vegetable product assessed in the questionnaire; the intervention group showed a significant increase in knowledge (p = 0.001; standardized effect size (ES = 0.60), taste preference (p = 0.002; ES = 0.52), attitude towards the assessed fruit or vegetable product (p = 0.004; ES = 0.48), and general attitude towards healthy products (p = 0.01; ES = 0.39) over the short term, when compared to the control group. The effects of the intervention did not continue to be significant over the longer term. The findings implicate short-term intervention success, although more research and intervention adaptations are recommended to increase the impact of such programs, especially over the long term. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue School-Based Eating Interventions—Are Students Eating Healthily?)
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10 pages, 258 KiB  
Article
Dietary Intake among Children Attending Childcare Centers: Impact of the New CACFP Meal Guidelines
by Jayna M. Dave, Tzuan A. Chen, Maha Almohamad and Sonia Cotto-Moreno
Nutrients 2022, 14(16), 3394; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163394 - 18 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1596
Abstract
Through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, USDA (US Department of Agriculture) made the first major changes in the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) meal and snack menu patterns. Childcare centers that serve low-income families qualify to participate and receive [...] Read more.
Through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, USDA (US Department of Agriculture) made the first major changes in the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) meal and snack menu patterns. Childcare centers that serve low-income families qualify to participate and receive reimbursement for meals and snacks served. The purpose of this study was to assess what changes in children’s dietary behaviors occurred as a result of the new CACFP meal pattern requirements. This study evaluated these changes at childcare centers operating in Houston and San Antonio, Texas, USA, areas enrolled in the CACFP, pre- (Spring 2016) and post-implementation (Fall 2016–Spring 2017) of the new meal patterns. Dietary intake was assessed via observations of children, 3–5 years old, conducted at breakfast, lunch, and snack times. Results showed improvements in adjusted means of several nutrients and food groups consumption, post-implementation of new CACFP meal guidelines compared to baseline, specifically intake of whole grains, milk, and juice. Additional studies are needed to confirm the impact of the revised CACFP meal patterns along with strategies to assist providers in meeting the new standards to increase the access to and intake of items in accordance with the CACFP meal pattern requirements in childcare settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue School-Based Eating Interventions—Are Students Eating Healthily?)
24 pages, 335 KiB  
Article
Qualitative Study of Participation Facilitators and Barriers for Emergency School Meals and Pandemic Electronic Benefits (P-EBT) in an Urban Setting during COVID-19
by Jennifer W. Cadenhead, Julia E. McCarthy, Thanh Thanh T. Nguyen, Michelle Rodriguez and Pamela A. Koch
Nutrients 2022, 14(16), 3358; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163358 - 16 Aug 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2606
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly fewer of New York City’s (NYC’s) 1.1 million public school children participated in emergency grab-and-go meals—heightening the risk of inadequate nutrition security for many of NYC’s most vulnerable residents. This study sought to examine student families’ facilitators and [...] Read more.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly fewer of New York City’s (NYC’s) 1.1 million public school children participated in emergency grab-and-go meals—heightening the risk of inadequate nutrition security for many of NYC’s most vulnerable residents. This study sought to examine student families’ facilitators and barriers to participation in the grab-and-go meal service and their experiences with pandemic-electronic benefit transfer (P-EBT) funds, a cash benefit distributed when schools were closed. We recruited 126 parents of children in NYC public schools who had participated in the grab-and-go service. Using opened-ended questions, we interviewed 101 parents in 25 1-h online focus groups. We identified four main themes which broadly impacted school meal participation: communication, logistics, meal appeal, and personal circumstances. Key facilitating subthemes included clear communication, ease of accessing sites, and high variety. Key sub-themes negatively impacting participation included limited communication and low meal variety. Accurate, timely communication; easily accessible distribution locations; and convenient distribution times could have increased participation and satisfaction. For P-EBT, parents welcomed the funds and used them readily, but some experienced difficulties obtaining payments. The simultaneous inclusion of community-based research in the evaluation of emergency feeding programs could improve future outcomes for school meal participation and electronic benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue School-Based Eating Interventions—Are Students Eating Healthily?)
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