[Measures to promote healthy dietary habits among schoolchildren]

The Norwegian National Nutrition Council has, over the past years, implemented a number of measures designed specifically to promote well-organized school meals and increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables among school children. These measures include the development of national guidelines for organizing school meals, economic support for trying out new methods of operating a school cafeteria, national campaigns to promote the traditional Norwegian packed lunch, open community meetings with political and administrative leaders at municipality level, the introduction of a system whereby pupils can purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at school, and advocacy through mass media. Results of an ongoing evaluation seem to indicate that these measures have had a positive effect on the organization of school meals. More young children are attended to by an adult during mealtimes, more pupils are allowed at least 20 minutes for their lunch break, and a growing number of secondary schools are introducing school cafeterias. However, only half of the total number of schools seem to be aware of the new guidelines, and much more work is required in order to ensure all students are provided with a well-organized school meal. Health personnel play a critical role in ensuring that this work is given political priority, also at the local level.