Study Title
The impact of, and views on, school food intervention and policy in young people aged 11-18 years in Europe: a mixed methods systematic review
Principal Investigator
Kelly Rose RNutr, BSc (Hons), PGCE; Dr. Claire O’Malley PhD; Fatemeh Eskandari MSc; Professor Amelia A Lake RNutr, RD, PhD; Dr. Laura Brown RNutr PhD; Professor Louisa Jane Ells RNutr, PhD
Affiliation
Centre for Public Health Research, School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, United Kingdom; Fuse - Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; School of Clinical and Applied Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
Start Date
Not specified
End Date
Not specified
Study Objective
To explore the effectiveness of school nutrition interventions and the perceptions of young people experiencing these interventions or changes in school food policies in Europe.
Short Abstract
This mixed-methods systematic review assesses school food interventions' effects on nutrition, weight status, and wellbeing among young people aged 11-18 years in Europe. The review included 27 studies: 22 quantitative and 5 qualitative. The findings indicate that school-based nutrition programmes can reduce sugar, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, and saturated fat intake while increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. It also emphasizes the importance of considering adolescents' perspectives in shaping effective food policies and interventions.
Study Design
Mixed-methods systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies.
Population
Young people aged 11-18 years from various European countries
Sample Size
27 studies, with a combined sample of 22,138 participants
Inclusion Criteria
Studies published from 2008 onwards that focus on nutrition-related interventions or policies in school settings, targeting young people aged 11-18 years.
Exclusion Criteria
Studies that do not include a nutritional component, those not conducted in European school settings, and studies with a focus solely on physical activity or mental health.
Intervention/Exposure
School-based nutrition interventions or policy changes, including multicomponent programmes and national school food policies.
Outcome Measures
Nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviors, BMI, and wellbeing outcomes
Funding Source
Not specified
Collaborating Institutions
Teesside University, Newcastle University, Leeds Beckett University
Ethics Approval
Not specified (systematic review)
Publication Status
Published in Public Health Nutrition, October 2024
Keywords
School food, nutrition interventions, adolescent health, dietary habits, European schools, health inequalities
Data Collection Methods
Systematic literature search and critical appraisal of primary research studies from various databases (e.g., MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC)
Primary Data Availability
Not applicable
Contact Information
Kelly Rose (