The accelerated rise in the prevalence of overweight and obesity and unhealthy dietary patterns in the Australian population is not confined to adults.

Rationale

The health and psycho-social ramifications are, however, magnified when unhealthy food consumption commences early in the life-course trajectory. Not only are there numerous short and long term morbidity and mortality consequences, but attitudes, behaviours and lifestyle patterns established in childhood are often difficult to change later in life. Moreover, an unhealthy diet compromises the physical development and learning capacity of children, while being overweight can result in many negative emotional consequences arising from teasing, social exclusion, bullying and reduced ability to ‘join in’ in some forms of play and physical activity.

There is now substantial evidence regarding the benefits of healthy eating for children, but ‘good practice’ if often not taken up or implemented effectively.

In late 2006, the Western Australian State Government announced new nutritional guidelines for school canteens. This policy announcement is a major step forward in the concerted effort to improve the availability of healthier food in schools. However, evidence indicates that even when healthy food guidelines are provided or mandated, there are many practical challenges encountered in school environments that impede uptake, ownership and effectiveness of such changes.

Objectives

The overall aim of this study is to explore facilitators and barriers influencing the provision and consumption of healthy foods and drinks within the primary school environment. Specifically the objectives of the study are to:

• Determine factors assisting or hindering the effective implementation of the new nutritional guidelines and other healthy food policies and practices in schools.
• Assess the effectiveness of training being provided to schools and canteens in association with the new nutritional guidelines.
• Explore the receptiveness of different groups within the school community to healthier food guidelines and practices, and identify factors that facilitate receptiveness and support.
• Identify and ‘case study’ enabling factors and practical strategies that have been used in schools to successfully implement guidelines and overcome barriers to healthier food consumption at school.

Methods

This study uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore factors assisting or hindering the implementation of healthy eating guidelines and the availability and consumption of healthy food and drink within primary school environments. The study is also investigating transitional issues and challenges associated with the implementation of these nutritional guidelines for government schools in WA, and the effectiveness of training being provided to schools in conjunction with the introduction of the guidelines.

The study will also investigate and ‘case study’ enabling factors and practical strategies that have been used in schools to overcome such barriers. While children are the primary target group, the study focuses on those within the school environment who play a critical role in determining the availability of healthy food and influencing relevant norms, policies and practices. This includes staff, canteen managers, external food suppliers where applicable, parent and citizen associations and parents, as well as students as direct consumers and as peer influences.

The results from the qualitative research (focus groups, in-depth interviews) and quantitative research (parent survey) will be analysed separately and then triangulated, providing a richness of insight rarely available through single method research. As formative research, the study has the potential to contribute to the development of ‘whole of school’ strategies relating to healthy eating, targeting structural, behavioural, policy and environmental influences and factors. In addition, the focus on impeding and enabling factors to the adoption of healthy eating ‘best practice’ will be used to inform the dissemination and implementation of the Guidelines to ensure they are adopted optimally within WA schools.

Funding

• Healthway

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