261726 Student school meal perception, participation, and consumption: Implication for future school based nutritional interventions

Monday, October 29, 2012

Maryann Mason, PhD , Pediatrics/CMRC, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Noel Chávez, PhD, RD , Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL
Soyang Kwon, PhD , Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children, Chicago, IL
Adlin Cedeno, MPPA , CLOCC, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago
Introduction: The Suburban Cook County Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative funded school districts to improve school meal (SM) nutritional quality through its “Model Communities” program. SM are an important source of nutrition for students. Thus, improving SM nutritional quality could have significant impact on student nutrition. However, researchers have found an inverse relationship between appeal to students and student perceptions of the healthfulness of SM components. In this study we wanted to better understand the relationship between student SM participation, perception, and consumption to better anticipate and interpret changes associated with SM interventions. Methods: The “School Meal Questionnaire” includes questions regarding SM participation, likability and consumption and was administered to 5th and 6th grade students in 13 elementary schools. Multilevel linear regression modeling to predict students' SM perception score was used. Results: 552 students completed the survey (spring 2011). Adjusting for age, gender, and school random effects, students' perception of school lunch was positively associated with school lunch participation frequency (P < 0.05) and school lunch portion consumed (P < 0.01). Portion consumed association was stronger than school lunch participation frequency association. Portion of school breakfast consumed was positively associated with school breakfast perception (P < 0.01). Discussion: Less frequent participation in a SM program and/or limited consumption is associated with SM dislike. In order to maximize the nutritional benefits of changes to SM, schools may have to increase participation AND likability of healthier items. This suggests need for supplemental efforts to increase favorable perceptions of improved SMs.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the relationship between perception, participation and consumption of school meals among a sample of 5th and 6th grade students in SCC. 2.Discuss how the relationship between appeal to students and student perceptions of the healthfulness of school meals relates to evaluation and interpretation of meal change interventions. 3.Discuss implications for lessons learned as they relate to successful implementation of nutritional improvements to school meals in other communities and school systems in the U.S.

Keywords: Nutrition, School-Based Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the project coordinator on this federally funded project focusing on obesity prevention, specifically on physical activity and school meals. I have also assisted in the development of tools and protocols pertaining to several obesity prevention studies.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.