2024 №4 / School nutrition: a comprehensive programme to improve student wellbeing

School nutrition: a comprehensive programme to improve student wellbeing

Authors: Kamilla Omarova, Nurdaulet Malikov, Diyara Antayeva

DOI: 10.62670/2308-7668.2024.50.4.005

Source: Issue: vol. 50 No. 4: 5 January 2025

Publisher: PE "Center of Excellence"

Document type: Research article

Abstract

Improving student satisfaction with school meals is a key indicator of enhancing overall wellbeing within the school environment. This study evaluates the impact of a comprehensive, multi-component nutrition intervention implemented in Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools and the International School of Astana. The intervention included staff training, menu diversification, student nutrition education and cafeteria upgrades to improve service efficiency and meal presentation. A pre-and post-intervention analysis revealed a significant increase in student satisfaction, demonstrating the effectiveness of an integrated approach to increasing meal quality and fostering student wellbeing.

 

Key words: dietary behaviours, nutrition intervention, school meals

References
 
1. Dudley, D. A., Cotton, W. G., & Peralta, L. R. (2015). Teaching approaches and strategies that promote healthy eating in primary school children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 12(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0182-8.
2. Doku, D., Koivusilta, L., Raisamo, S., & Rimpelä, A. (2013). Socio-economic differences in adolescents’ breakfast eating, fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity in Ghana. Public Health Nutrition, 16(5), 864–872. https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898001100276X.
3. Story, M., Neumark-Sztainer, D., & French, S. (2002). Individual and environmental influences on adolescent eating behaviors. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 102(3), S40–S51. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0002-8223(02)90421-9.
4. Story, M., Nanney, M. S., & Schwartz, M. B. (2009). Schools and obesity prevention: Creating school environments and policies to promote healthy eating and physical activity. The Milbank Quarterly, 87(1), 71–100. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0009.2009.00548.x.
5. Schwartz, M. B., Henderson, K. E., Read, M., Danna, N., & Ickovics, J. R. (2015). New school meal regulations increase fruit consumption and do not increase total plate waste. Childhood Obesity, 11(3), 242–247. https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2015.0019.
6. Langford, R., Bonell, C. P., Jones, H. E., Pouliou, T., Murphy, S. M., Waters, E., & Campbell, R. (2014). The WHO Health Promoting School framework for improving the health and wellbeing of students and their academic achievement. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4.
7. Pettigrew, S., Pescud, M., Donovan, R. J., & Jalleh, G. (2016). Outcomes of a comprehensive school food policy initiative in Western Australia. Health Education Research, 31(3), 408–418.
8. Bain, C., & Barker, M. (2010). Nutritional interventions in Central Asia: Challenges and opportunities. Global Public Health, 5(5), 476–490.
9. Evans, C. E., Christian, M. S., Cleghorn, C. L., Greenwood, D. C., & Cade, J. E. (2020). Systematic review and metaanalysis of school-based interventions to improve dietary intake outcomes. Public Health Nutrition, 23(6), 1151–1161. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980019003500.
10. Harrison, F., & Jones, A. P. (2019). The effectiveness of school-based interventions for improving dietary intake: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of School Health, 89(8), 653–662. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12796.