Healthy School Meals for All in Utah.

Autor: Spruance LA; Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, 4103 LSB, Provo, UT, 84602., Guenther PM; Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, 250 South 1850 East, #214, HPER North, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112., Callaway S; Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, 4103 LSB, Provo, UT, 84602., Giles L; Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, 4103 LSB, Provo, UT, 84602., Varas S; Canyons School District, 9361 S. 300 E, Sandy, UT, 84070., Metos J; Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, The University of Utah, 250 South 1840 East, #217, HPER North, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: The Journal of school health [J Sch Health] 2024 May; Vol. 94 (5), pp. 415-426. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Nov 23.
DOI: 10.1111/josh.13412
Abstrakt: Background: The National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs reduce food insecurity and improve dietary intake. During the COVID-19 pandemic, school meals were provided to all children at no cost, regardless of income. This policy is known as Healthy School Meals For All (HSMFA). The purpose of the study was to examine the feasibility of a HSMFA policy in Utah.
Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, including qualitative interviews for policymakers, surveys for school foodservice directors, and financial modeling of Utah Child Nutrition Programs data. Analysis included a phenomenological analytic approach for qualitative data, descriptive statistics for surveys, and development of a cost model with 6 scenarios.
Results: Qualitative data revealed themes of (1) awareness; (2) responsibility; (3) perspectives on school meals; and (4) new opportunities. Most (81%) foodservice directors believed HSMFA should continue post-pandemic. HSMFA would cost $51,341,436 to $82,358,375 per year.
Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: HSMFA would result in the equitable treatment of all children regarding access to healthy school meals.
Conclusions: Given the support of foodservice directors but the lack of political consensus, considering stepwise implementation and providing cost estimates may increase feasibility of a HSMFA policy in Utah.
(© 2023, American School Health Association.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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