Programme coordinators’ perceptions of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with school nutrition programmes

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15095047
AutoresRenata F Valaitis, Renata Valaitis (0000-0003-0334-0441, University of Waterloo, autor correspondente), Rhona M Hanning (0000-0001-5242-142X, University of Waterloo), Isabela S Herrmann (Regional Municipality of Ottawa)
Ano2014
Volume17
Fascículo6
Páginas1245-1254
Data de publicação2014-06-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s136898001300150x
PMID23768442
OpenAlexW2000766137
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas5
Referências citadas20

Objective As part of a larger evaluation of school nutrition programmes (SNP), the present study examined programme coordinators’ perceptions of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) regarding their SNP and public health professionals’ support. Design Qualitative interviews were conducted with twenty-two of eighty-one programme coordinators who had completed a programme evaluation survey. Interviews followed a SWOT framework to evaluate programmes and assessed coordinators’ perceptions regarding current and future partnerships with public health professionals. Setting The study was conducted in a large, urban region within Ontario. Subjects The twenty-two coordinators who participated represented a cross-section of elementary, secondary, Public and Catholic schools. Results SNP varied enormously in foods/services offered, how they offered them and perceived needs. Major strengths included universality, the ability to reach needy students and the provision of social opportunities. Major weaknesses included challenges in forming funding partnerships, lack of volunteers, scheduling and timing issues, and coordinator workload. Common threats to effective SNP delivery included lack of sustainable funding, complexity in tracking programme use and food distribution, unreliable help from school staff, and conflicts with school administration. Opportunities for increased public health professionals’ assistance included menu planning, nutrition education, expansion of programme food offerings, and help identifying community partners and sustainable funding. Conclusions The present research identified opportunities for improving SNP and strategies for building on strengths. Since programmes were so diverse, tailored strategies are needed. Public health professionals can play a major role through supporting menu planning, food safety training, access to healthy foods, curriculum planning and by building community partnerships

Best practice · Business · Curriculum · Focus group · Medical education · Pedagogy · Political science · Public health · Public relations · Strengths and weaknesses · SWOT Analysis · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine · Nursing · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · School Health and Nursing Education · Marketing