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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
06:48
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
Policy options to support healthy eating in schools
1Department of Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 4400, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3. mmckenna@unb.ca
Summary
School nutrition policies can promote healthy eating and reduce chronic disease risk. Comprehensive policies integrating food availability, education, and services show promise, but more research is needed on their real-world impact.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
- Policy Evaluation
Background:
- School nutrition policies are key to promoting healthy eating and preventing chronic diseases.
- Existing policies offer a framework for improving student dietary habits and health outcomes.
- Evidence review guides the development of effective school nutrition strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review components of school nutrition policies that support healthy eating.
- To examine the evidence base for various policy components.
- To identify future research directions in school nutrition policy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of English-language research from 1994-2008.
- Analysis guided by World Health Organization recommendations.
- Focused on five policy components: food availability, food environment, health education, health services, and family outreach.
Main Results:
- School nutrition standards positively impact food availability and student nutrient intake.
- Behaviorally focused nutrition education may improve eating habits but not necessarily reduce obesity.
- Evidence is limited for policy components like food marketing restrictions and coordinated food services.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive school nutrition policies offer an integrated approach to student health.
- These policies can guide school actions and establish accountability.
- Further research is essential to understand policy implementation and outcomes.
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